The news took Bob Krueger by surprise. The music director of the Lincoln Municipal Band had been out of town and hadn't heard that Mayor Coleen Seng proposed cutting $10,000 in tax funding for municipal band concerts as part of her 2005-06 budget.

"Our board will have to meet about that," Krueger said. "We would have to find some alternate funding or we won't be able to have concerts."

Lincoln Municipal Band executive director Dean Haist was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

Seng's announcement came just a week before the band kicks off its annual summer performance series sponsored by Lincoln Parks and Recreation.

The ensemble performs free outdoor concerts at 7 p.m. Sundays at the John Shildneck Memorial Bandshell in Antelope Park.

This Sunday, the band will present "Star Spangled Sounds," its annual patriotic concert. Krueger will conduct and trombonist Terry Rush will be the featured soloist. The band will conclude the concert with Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

Formed more than 90 years ago, the Municipal Band is Nebraska's oldest professional music organization and the state's only professional wind ensemble. It's made up of players from Lincoln and Omaha.

The ensemble has presented an annual series of free Sunday evening summer concerts since 1911. Each concert is themed, often recognizing community members.

"We brainstorm each spring for different ideas for these," said Krueger, who will share the podium this summer with Rush, Tony Falcone and Carolyn Barber.

Some themes — movie music, a salute to veterans and a tribute to march kings — are mainstays.

"It's a pretty set format we like to follow," Krueger said. "The audience seems to appreciate that."

The following is a rundown of this summer's concerts with theme, conductor and soloist:

Sunday — "Star Spangled Sounds," Krueger, Rush (trombone).

July 10 — "Popcorn & Pics," Rush, Jana Holzmeier (vocalist)

July 17 — "A Salute to Our Veterans," Krueger, Ric Ricker (French horn)

July 24 — "Tribute to the March Kings," Falcone, Dawn Pawlewski (vocalist)

Aug. 7 — "A Salute to Health Professionals," Rush, Falcone (percussion)

Aug. 14 — "Lincoln Through the Ages," Barber, Deborah Bouffard (trumpet)

Aug. 21 — "Hot Cars and Cool Music," Krueger, Robert Patton (baritone)

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.