My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Swings into Coralville in June

The performance is on Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 PM.

By:
The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Swings into Coralville in June  Image

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra returns to the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts Thursday, June 8 at 7:00 PM. Tickets cost $27–$32 each and are available online at www.CoralvilleArts.org, or by calling (319) 248-9370. Box office hours are phone only Wednesday–Friday, noon–4:00 PM, and in person one hour before show time at 1301 5th Street in Coralville.

With its unique jazz sound, the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time! The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Erik Stabnau is the orchestra’s present musical director, with female vocalist Jenny Swoish. This performance is sponsored by Hills Bank.

The History

The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930s and 40s. A matchless 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.

Glenn 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 December 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 release of the major motion movie “The Glenn Miller Story” featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, 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 Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray 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.

Now, over sixty years since the public first embraced the successful Miller Sound, both the legend and the music live on. 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.

The band has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year around the globe to millions of fans.



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Touring Production - Top 3
1. Hadestown
11.6% of votes
2. Hamilton
9.3% of votes
3. Les Misérables
8.6% of votes

Don't Miss a Des Moines News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Wicked in Des Moines Wicked
Civic Center Of Greater Des Moines (9/02-9/20)
The Roommate in Des Moines The Roommate
The Ingersoll (5/14-5/31)
A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation in Des Moines A Taste of Ireland - The Irish Music and Dance Sensation
Ed and Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center (6/12-6/12)
Noises Off in Des Moines Noises Off
Des Moines Playhouse (6/05-6/21)
When a Womans Fed Up in Des Moines When a Womans Fed Up
Adler Theatre (6/13-6/13)
King Roger in Des Moines King Roger
Blank Performing Arts Center (7/04-7/17)
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical in Des Moines Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical
Des Moines Playhouse (5/08-5/24)
Of Mice and Men in Des Moines Of Mice and Men
Blank Performing Arts Center (6/27-7/18)
Tyler Childers in Des Moines Tyler Childers
Casey's Center (7/15-7/15)
Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’® in Des Moines Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’®
University of Dubuque Heritage Center (5/12-5/12)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW