MARQUETTE — Dr. Stephen Grugin, the director of the Marquette City Band, has requested that audience members sit only on the benches at the band shell at Presque Isle Park during the band’s final concert of the season this Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Audience members are asked to refrain from bringing their own chairs or blankets so that the gathering size can be limited to 250 people as prescribed in a resolution by the Marquette City Commission last week and the Governor’s most recent Executive Order.

In a press release, Grugin stated that “the newer green benches are actually quite comfortable and a bit lower to the ground,” and added “we would also encourage everyone to consider watching the live stream of the concert via our Facebook page. We’ve had great comments from people all over the country and beyond. In fact, last week, one of the composers of a piece we played was watching us from California.”

The benches in the park have been spaced six feet apart and all persons attending are requested to maintain proper social distancing and wear masks until seated.

The concert will feature encore performances of selections performed in prior concerts this season. The wide variety of selections on the concert includes the following: “Heroes Near and Far” by Richard Saucedo; “Fugue On Yankee Doodle” by John Philip Sousa; “A Disney Spectacular” arr. by John Moss; “Afterlife” by Rossano Galante; “Square” (from American Dances) by Robert W. Smith; “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite March” by Karl L. King; “Seventy-Six Trombones” by Meredith Willson, arr. Leroy Anderson; and “We Shall Overcome” arr. Bill Locklear.

The concert is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the concert may be postponed until the following evening.