The Sun City Concert Band begins the new year under new leadership.

Ken Jaeger joins the band as its’ newest director, bringing more than 40 years of conducting experience to the ensemble. The first concert of 2020 is the annual John Philip Sousa concert titled “Sousa On My Mind” 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 in the Sundial Auditorium, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., Sun City.

The concert will feature marches, polkas and medleys, all in the Sousa style. Tickets $10, and will be available at the door the day of the concert and also 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 24, 26, 28 in the Sundial Recreation Center lobby.

Mr. Jaeger received his Bachelor of Music degree from Arizona State University and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Southern Oregon University. He taught music (primarily band, orchestra and guitar) in the Tolleson Union High School District for 30 years.

Since retiring, Mr. Jaeger has been a playing member of the Phoenix College Concert Band and the Glendale Community College Band. In 2013, he was named the conductor of the City of Glendale Summer Band which plays eight concerts each June and July in Murphy Park in downtown Glendale. He brings the music of John Philip Sousa as his first concert with the Sun City Concert Band.

John Philip Sousa is responsible for bringing the United States Marine Band to an unprecedented level of excellence; a standard upheld by every Marine Band Director since. Sousa accepted the position of U.S Marine Band Director in 1880 becoming the band’s 17th leader.