Staff photo by Fritz Busch Children sing the city anthem of New Ulm in its musical debut with the New Ulm Municipal Band in the German Park Amphitheater Sunday.

NEW ULM — Children and the New Ulm Municipal Band debuted the newly-commissioned “New Ulm, New Ulm” anthem in a special, grand finale band concert Sunday in German Park.

The anthem written by composer Philip Biedenbender of North Carolina, a New Ulm native, includes lyrics by his mother Laurie F. Gauger.

Gauger’s lyrics are “(New) Ulm, your beauty fills our heats. We stand and sing to honor you, from Summit shining in the sun to rivers running clear and blue.

“With German name and heritage, our founders proud, brave and free poured out their souls in brick and stone to build the strong community.

“New Ulm, New Ulm God bless you now as long ago. New Ulm, New Ulm forever may we call you home.

“(Hail) Hermann fighter on the hill. Hail, Goosetown where the rivers flow. Hail, Turner Hall and the Glockenspiel. Hail, Flandrau, where the flowers grow. Ein Prosit to Oktoberfest, to polka dancing through the night, Ein Prosit to this fellowship now raise your glass Gemutlichkeit.

“New Ulm, New Ulm. God bless you now as long ago. New Ulm, New Ulm forever may we call you home.”

New Ulm Municipal Band Director Don Jirak said 2020 should have been the band’s 75th year. Jirak said musician Don Wilfhahrt has been with the band for all of its 75 years.

In addition, Jirak said the band includes musicians age 11 to 96, husbands and wives, grandparents and grandchildren.

More information about the band can be found on Facebook.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.