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If music heals the soul, then central Illinois has a whole lot of good therapy coming its way this summer … and the Peoria Municipal Band isn’t just tooting its own horn.

May kicks off the 88th season of a town tradition that has faded in many communities, but is strong here, says director David Vroman, retired Bradley University professor who earned the conductor’s baton in 1991. The band became a city-funded project thanks to a 1937 referendum, though its roots go much deeper.

“The attraction probably began when I played with Fred Huber conducting, and it’s always been some of the best musicians around. I went to graduate school, came back to work at Bradley, and when Fred retired, I interviewed and started this journey,” Vroman said. “What’s different about doing the municipal band is that it’s 95 percent music. At Bradley,

it was 25 percent music and

75 percent all those other things you have to do.”

The sound of live music continues with auditions May 9-10, the first rehearsal May 19 and first performance on Memorial Day at the Gateway Building along the Peoria riverfront. Vroman is just one of 50 members of this woodwinds, brass and percussion buffet, backed up by 60 substitutes to fill any need. On the 2025 agenda are 21 full and three mini-band concerts. The specifics, along with this season’s vocalists, can be accessed at www.peoriamunicipalband.com.

Time has taught that music fads come and go and simply don’t stick with listeners, he said. “The balance of programming is keeping the audience and the musicians interested as well. They don’t want to just come and play the same music every summer. We play American folk songs, but there are also new pieces that I’m always on the lookout for.

“It’s become very efficient over the years, and they enjoy the camaraderie, a lot of folks that hang out together. Part of our mission is we want to play good quality music at the highest possible level. It was interesting, especially when I worked at Bradley. I would get phone calls from prospective doctors for one of the hospitals, and they wanted to know what the music scene was like in central Illinois, as they were also interested in the culture, not just streets and safety.”

The freedom of the outdoors, no assigned seating and bring your own refreshments continues to be a draw with audiences of all sizes and ages. An important part of the director’s job is to listen to what the public wants to hear and fill as many requests as possible, including college fight songs and American favorites.

“A lot of people look for things to do and they’ll bring their children and grandchildren out into a concert. We have some regulars who sit in the same place every single time. We have people visiting town who have never heard us, and they’ll come with relatives.”

Contact dvroman@fsmail.bradley.edu for more information about the PMB.