Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Great Concerto

2005

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

1. The Great Concerto Marker

Inscription. This transformed stage door, painted in the art deco style, showcases the various bandstands that have been used by Naperville's lineage of municipal bands since the inception of the Naperville Brass Band in 1859. Central Park has been the home to all four of the structures. From the first gazebo in the 1800s to the open-air stage and tower, the classic Elmer Koerner Memorial Bandshell, and today's concert center, one thing has remained constant: the desire to enhance the quality of life through music. This mural illustrates the bandstands' wonderful history through color, technique, and style, incorporating within the boundaries of the door the importance of community and fellowship and the interconnectivity of performers and audience. Even the clouds and greenery seem to pulsate with the rhythm of the musical notes.
Artist: Barton Gunderson

Erected by Naperville Century Walk.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 41° 46.421′ N,

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88° 8.801′ W. Marker is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Jefferson Street near Washington Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is one of several affixed to the bandshell in Naperville's Central Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Naperville Municipal Band (here, next to this marker); Central Park Seating Improvements (here, next to this marker); Elmer Koerner (here, next to this marker); Ronald J. Keller, Ph.D. (here, next to this marker); Confederate Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Centennial (within

"The Great Concerto" stage door at Central Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

2. "The Great Concerto" stage door at Central Park

shouting distance of this marker); Baha'u'llah (within shouting distance of this marker); DuPage County Soldiers and Sailors Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

Also see . . .
1. Naperville Bands. The Naper Settlement history museum shares a history of band music in Naperville.

Excerpt: "The earliest record of a band used for outdoor entertainment in Naperville occurred July 4, 1859. The Naperville Brass Band, led by James Jassoy, had blue uniforms trimmed in white and performed not only in Naperville but also Wheaton and as far as west as Sycamore, Ill. During the Civil War, many members of the band enlisted and served in regimental bands."

(Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Naperville Century Walk: The Great Concerto. (Submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Naperville Community Concert Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

3. Naperville Community Concert Center

About a half-dozen historical markers are affixed to the building to the left of the stage.

Close-up of the depictions of this site's four bandshells image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, December 16, 2025

4. Close-up of the depictions of this site's four bandshells

A nearby marker about the history of the Naperville Municipal Band includes drawings of the four bandshells that have stood at this site in Central Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 17, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.