Upcoming events at Monmouth College: Nov. 8-12
Veterans Day panel, instrumental concert, archaeology talk, Writers@Monmouth
Monmouth, Ill. (11/05/2026) — A busy slate of upcoming events at Monmouth College will be highlighted by the school's annual observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
Also on tap are a concert on Nov. 8, an archaeology lecture on Nov. 9 and a reading by a visiting author on Nov. 12. All four events are free and open to the public.
State Rep. Dan Swanson, who just won re-election in the state's 71st Illinois Congressional District, will once again emcee the Veterans Day program, which will be held at 7 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Great Room on the main floor of the Center for Science and Business.
With a focus on military families, the panelists will include Jared Bushmaker, Allen Smith, Adeline Smith, Jake Miller, Jacob Miller, John Huxtable and Grace Huxtable.
The Fighting Scots Marching Band will perform opening patriotic music beginning at 6:45 p.m.
"Last year's event was outstanding and featured a World War II vet and Gold Star mom," said Monmouth faculty member Robin Johnson, who helps organize the event. "And everyone was buzzing afterword about the music. The band was incredible."
Other events
Speaking of music, the Monmouth Civic Orchestra, under the direction of Rich Cangro, will present its fall concert, "Fiesta Sinfonica" at 3 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Kasch Performance Hall of Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. The college-community partnership enables students, faculty and community members to play in a full symphony orchestra.
Cangro said the program, which "celebrates the universal language of dance," will include "the fiery passion" of Spain in Carmen Suite No. 1, "the elegant nostalgia" of Mexico in Danzon No. 2, and "the timeless charm of the waltz" in "Over the Waves."
The next day at 7:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Lowell ancient history professor Jane Sancinito will deliver a talk titled "Evidence of Mobile Religious Practice from Roman Coins." Sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America, the talk will be held in the Pattee Auditorium on the lower level of the Center for Science and Business.
At 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Alan Michael Parker will be the next guest in the ongoing Writers@Monmouth series. The author of 19 books, including last year's innovative Bingo, Bango, Boingo, Parker will read from his works in the Len G. Everett Gallery on the upper level of Hewes Library.
Parker, who has also authored the novels Christmas in July and The Committee on Town Happiness, holds the Houchens Chair at Davidson College, where he chairs the English department. His awards include the NC Book Award, three Pushcart Prizes, two Best American Poetry selections and the Fineline Prize. A book reviewer for The New Yorker for nine years, he has judged the 2021 National Book Award in Fiction, as well as the 2024 PEN/Faulkner Award in Fiction.
While on campus, Parker will also conduct a writing workshop with students in English professor David Wright's creative writing course, among other engagements with students.
Media Attachments
BIG SOUND: The Fighting Scots Marching Band performs at last year's Veterans Day event at Monmouth College.
Monmouth College
Barry McNamara 309-457-2117, mcnamara@monmouthcollege.eduShare this Story
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