ORANGE CITY – Tom Forkenbrock is returning to Orange City to perform with the Onstage Orange City series Thursday, July 14.
Forkenbrock, who played trumpet with the U.S. Army Band for nine years, will solo at the 7 p.m. concert with the Orange City Area Community Band. Featured will be Forkenbrock in Chuck Mangione’s “Land of Make Believe” and Ed Huckeby’s “Intrada, Recitative and Rondo.”
The Orange City native graduated from M-OC High School in ’82, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He has performed for two sitting presidents, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr., plus Prince Charles and other dignitaries from around the world. He also played for the Pan American Games and the ’88 Olympics in South Korea.
Since leaving the Army, Forkenbrock has performed with big bands, wind ensembles and other performing groups in the Chicago area, and with artists including Bill Watrous, Dick Oatts, Joe LaBarbera, Chuck Findley and Bill Porter. His bands have opened for Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Ramsey Lewis and Count Basie’s Big Band.
Forkenbrock also plays French horn, baritone and tuba, but his first and most enduring love, he said, is the trumpet, which he has played for over 35 years.
After rave reviews last year, Forkenbrock is again performing with the Orange City Area Community Band, directed by Carla Van Beek. The program will include “St. Louis Blues” by W.C. Handy, “Semper Fidelis” by Sousa and the “National Emblem March” and “Coat of Arms March.” The band and Forkenbrock will also perform “On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason” by David Holsinger, based on the hymn by Mason, “My Faith Looks up to Thee.”
The free concert at Windmill Park is sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council and City of Orange City. Concessions will be available. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
For more information, contact the Arts Council at OCArts@orange cityiowa.com or 712.707.4885.
Former Army Band trumpeter performs in Orange City July 14: Tom Forkenbrock, who performed for two sitting presidents, the '88 Olympics and Prince Charles while part of the U.S. Army Band, will return to Orange City Thursday, July 14. He will be featured in the Orange City Area Community Band concert at 7 p.m. at Windmill Park, part of the Onstage Orange City series.
