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Glenn Miller Orchestra performs in Iron Mountain

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at The Braumart Theatre in Iron Mountain on June 28.

RON MOUNTAIN — The Glenn Miller Orchestra swings into Iron Mountain for an 8 p.m. show Friday, June 28, at the Braumart Theatre.

“Get ‘In The Mood’ for the Glenn Miller Orchestra,” said Jinx Brew, Braumart executive director.

The first Glenn Miller Orchestra did not make it at all. It was a total and absolute economic failure. But Miller knew what he wanted, held to that dedication and relentlessly worked to succeed. He launched his second band — the one that lives on today — in March 1938. The Glenn Miller Orchestra has been a “hit” ever since.

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s. A string of hit records, the constant impact of radio broadcasts and the drawing power at theatres, hotels and dance pavilion, built and sustained the momentum of popularity.

Miller disbanded his musical organization in 1942 at the height of its popularity to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the famous Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. It went to Europe to entertain servicemen performing numerous live and radio shows.

On Dec. 15, 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane from Europe to precede his band to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again. The army declared him officially dead a year later.

With the 1954 release of the major motion movie “The Glenn Miller Story,” featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra.

On June 6, 1956, and under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley, who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Miller’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since.

Other leaders have followed McKinley, including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.

Today, the 18-member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound.

Just as it was in Miller’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought-after big band in the world.

“We are so thrilled to host this world-famous orchestra at the Braumart,” Braumart board member Seth Anderson said.

Tickets are $30 and are available online at www.braumart.org, at the box office from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and at the door. Day-of-show tickets will be $40.

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