“Quality music always withstands the test of time.”

So said Dick Gerhard, leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, who will perform at NIU this Parents’ Day Weekend.

If ticket sales are any determinant, Gerhard’s words are true. The concert has been sold out for more than a week. “Most of our shows are sellouts,” Gerhard said. “I think we’ve got staying power.”

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is the only musical organization legally authorized to carry the legendary bandleader’s name.

“The name is a piece of property, like the New York Yankees,” Gerhard said. “We’re the only orchestra authorized to play the copyrighted Miller arrangements for profit.”

Gerhard has been with the orchestra since 1968. “He probably knows more about this music and how it should be played than anyone else in the world,” said David Mackay, president of Glenn Miller Productions.

“I am committed to holding up the Miller tradition,” Gerhard said. “I’m somewhat of a purist.”

The 19-member orchestra includes the leader, five saxaphone players, four trumpeters, three rhythm musicians and two vocalists. The band plays extensive U.S. tours as well as a number of European dates.

The musicians’ repertoire includes mainly the hits of the original band. “Mostly we play the old songs,” Gerhard said. “We try to insert new ones from time to time, but only those that lend themselves to the Miller sound.”

Some of the “new” songs the band performs are “Over the Rainbow,” “The Body Electric,” and “Up Where We Belong.”

“I honestly think authentic Glenn Miller music today is more popular with more people than ever before,” Gerhard concluded.

Glenn Miller launched his original band in March of 1938 and soon became one of the premiere bandleaders of his (or any other) time. In 1942 Miller dissolved the group and volunteered for the army where he formed the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band, which toured Europe entertaining G.I.‘s.

On Dec. 15, 1944, Major Glenn Miller flew out of England for a tour of France. He was never seen again. One year later, the U.S. Army declared him officially dead.

In 1956, the Miller Estate gave approval to the formation of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which has been in existence ever since.