​Hickory Creek bands perform annual Veterans Day Concert

FRANKFORT, IL — The crowd at Hickory Creek Middle School’s annual Veterans Day Concert gave a standing ovation not only for the school’s accomplished young musicians but for the community’s veterans who were in attendance.

The school’s gymnasium was packed the evening of Thursday, November 8, as parents, friends, neighbors and, the most honorable guests of all — veterans — filed in to hear a blend of classical, popular and patriotic music.

Hickory Creek’s Symphonic Band, under the direction of Doug Adams, and its Concert Band, under the direction of Ben Clark, performed, along with special guests Black Willow Brass Quintet, who provided pre-show entertainment and performed “Hymn to the Fallen” during the concert.

Frankfort Mayor Jim Holland, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, narrated and provided the audience with history behind “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Chorale” and “Deep River.”

Members of the Lincoln-Way East High School Junior Air Force ROTC presented the colors during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and following the song’s performance, everyone in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

When the Symphonic Band performed “Marches of the Armed Forces,” the veterans in the audience became the stars of the show. During each branch of the military’s song, veterans of that branch were asked to stand, and the audience applauded them for their service.

The district’s Band and Orchestra Boosters graciously supplied refreshments, decorations and medals for veterans at the concert.