Press Release

Glenn Miller "In a Patriotic Mood"

Date: 05/20/09

COLDWATER, MI— The legend lives on as the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra makes a return appearance at Tibbits Opera House with an all new, sure to please, toe-tapping show titled “In a Patriotic Mood” on Tuesday, June 2.

After their August appearance at Tibbits, Larry O'Brien, Musical Director for the Orchestra said, "What a pleasure to play at a venue with such fine acoustics.  Looking forward to our next performance."  The return came sooner than expected because of an opportunity that arose in the band’s tour schedule and an overwhelming response during their last appearance.

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and ’40s. A matchless string of hit records such as “In the Mood,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “A String of Pearls,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Little Brown Jug,” “Tuxedo Junction,” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” the constant impact of radio broadcasts, and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilions built and sustained the momentum of his popularity.

Glenn disbanded his musical organization in 1942, at the height of its popularity, volunteered for the army and then organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen and then on December 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single-engine plane from England to precede his band to Paris. He was never seen again.

Now, over sixty years since the public first embraced the successful Miller Sound, both the legend and the music live on. The 19-member Glenn Miller Orchestra formed by the Miller Estate in 1956 is still considered the greatest band of all time; its unique sound is loved by almost anybody who cares for dance music.

The orchestra continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements that keep exciting fans who have not heard them played for a while. They are also playing more modern selections in the big-band style, carefully selecting only those newer tunes that lend themselves naturally to the Miller style and sound. The entire repertoire, which now exceeds 1,700 compositions, keeps the band popular with both young and old.

For this special show, “In a Patriotic Mood,” the orchestra pays tribute to our armed forces.  In addition to the classic Glenn Miller hits the repertoire will include patriotic songs like “America the Beautiful,” “Star Spangled Banner,” “Salute to the Armed Forces Medley,” “Anchors Aweigh,” “Bugle Call Rag” and “American Patrol.”

Sponsored by Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, the amazing Glenn Miller Orchestra performs for one night only at 7 pm, Tuesday, June 2. To anyone who missed the orchestra the first time they played Tibbits, this is a great chance to see and hear what everyone else was raving about.