Week 5 - July 19 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 5th concert of the 2017 season on Wednesday, July 19 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

This week we share the stage with the Auburn Community Band of Auburn, Indiana (http://www.acbindiana.com).  This group is traveling to Midland by bus as part of their 35th anniversary festivities.  They will tour the Midland Center for the Arts and have dinner at the Midland First United Methodist Church before the concert.  

In case of rain, the performance will be moved to the Northeast Middle School gymnasium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Auburn Community Band

Don Riley, Director

It Don't Mean A Thing...........................Duke Ellington, arr. J. Moss

God's Country..........................................................Rossano Galante

Tales of Sea and Sail.......................................................Larry Neeck

Chemical City Band

Steve DeRees, Director

Procession of Nobles.....Nicholas Rimsky-Korsakov, arr. E. Leidzen

Fantasy Adventure at the Movies.................................arr. M. Brown

Arsenal, Concert March.........................................Jan Van der Roost

Combined Bands

Directors TBD

Washington Post March.........................................John Philip Sousa

Elegy for the U.S.S. Arizona.................................Larry MacTaggart

America, the Beautiful.........Samuel Augustus Ward, arr. C. Dragon

The Star-Spangled Banner...............................arr. John Philip Sousa

Since 1910

Week 4 - July 12 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 4th the concert of the 2017 season on Wednesday, July 12 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Precipitation is forecast once again during the concert.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details.  If rain prevents us from playing at the band shell, the concert will be canceled.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Sea Songs.......................Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. R. Longfield

The Girl from Ipanema.....Jobim, Gimbel, & Moraes, arr. J. Ployhar

Alla Barocco............................Caesar Giovannini, arr. W. Robinson

Golden Jubilee March....................John Philip Sousa, arr. F. Fennell

Intermission

The Entertainer, A Ragtime Two-Step.......Scott Joplin, arr. A. Reed

Ammerland..................................................................Jacob de Haan

Silver Winds...................................................................Victor Lopez

Orange Bowl March...................................................Henry Fillmore

America, the Beautiful.................Samuel F. Ward, arr. A.F. Gaylord

The Star-Spangled Banner.....John Stafford Smith, arr. A.F. Gaylord

Week 3 - July 5 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 3rd concert of the 2017 season on Wednesday, July 5 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Fortunately, rain should not be an issue this week.  Parking is open on Collins Street near the continuing construction, and also south of the band shell (over the hill).

The following musical selections will be presented:

Yankee Doodle Dandy................George M. Cohan, arr. E. Osterling

Panorama U.S.A.....................................................James D. Ployhar

Let Freedom Ring (My Country, 'Tis of Thee).....arr. James Curnow

The Liberty Bell March...................John Philip Sousa, arr. M. Story

Intermission

Americans We March.........................Henry Fillmore, ed. F. Fennell

Themes Like Old Times III..........................................arr. W. Barker

Upon These Grounds...............................................John Tatgenhorst

Salute to America's Finest.........................................arr. P. Lavender

The Stars and Stripes Forever................................John Philip Sousa

America the Beautiful..................Samuel F. Ward, arr. A.F. Gaylord

The Star Spangled Banner.....John Stafford Smith, arr. A.F. Gaylord

Week 2 - June 28 Concert

UPDATE:  The concert tonight has been cancelled due to weather.  Please join us next week for our holiday performance.

The Chemical City Band will perform its 2nd concert of the 2017 season on Wednesday, June 28 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  

Rain is a possibility this week.  We have no alternate performance venue, so the concert may be cancelled depending on forecast and conditions.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details!  Band members need to turn in music at the band shell regardless of weather.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Sea Songs.......................Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. R. Longfield

A Night in June Serenade...................................................K.L. King

Alla Barocco............................Caesar Giovannini, arr. W. Robinson

Golden Jubilee March....................John Philip Sousa, arr. F. Fennell

Intermission

The Entertainer, Ragtime Two-Step...........Scott Joplin, arr. A. Reed

Bless the Beasts and Children..............B. DeVorzon & P. Botkin, Jr.

Silver Winds...................................................................Victor Lopez

Orange Bowl March...................................................Henry Fillmore

America the Beautiful..................Samuel F. Ward, arr. A.F. Gaylord

Star Spangled Banner............John Stafford Smith, arr. A.F. Gaylord

Week 1 - June 21 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 1st concert of the 2017 season on Wednesday, June 21 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Somerset Holiday.......................................................Andrew Balent

Intermezzo from Opera "Vanessa"...........Samuel Barber, arr. Beeler

Western Dance.........................................................Clare Grundman

Tower of the Americas...............................................Mike Leckrone

Intermission

Winds on the Run.........................................................Eric Osterling

All Through the Night.........................................arr. Sammy Nestico

The Minstrel Boy......................................................Leroy Anderson

The Free Lance March..........John Philip Sousa, ed. William Revelli

America the Beautiful....................Samuel F Ward, arr. A.F.Gaylord

Star Spangled Banner.............John Stafford Smith, arr. A.F.Gaylord

Additional Pre-Season Information

Due to continuing construction activities at the Central Middle School site, parking will be a challenge again in 2017.  The lot "over the hill" just south of the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell will be open again and is the closest option.  Limited off-street parking on Collins St. is also available as before, but officially within the construction zone.  Please use at your own risk!

Finally, the parking lot at Memorial Presbyterian Church is only a short walk along Rodd St.  Many thanks to Wally Mayton, pastor at MPC, and Gaye Terwillegar for making this option available to concert patrons on Wednesday evenings.

The joint concert with the Auburn Community Band will occur on July 19, with ACB performing first @ 7:30 PM, then our CCB, followed by the combined bands (80+ performers expected).  An alternate venue at the Northeast Middle School gym is available that evening only in case of rain.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

See you all next Wednesday!

2017 Season Opening Remarks

With the start of the 2017 Chemical City Band season just 2 weeks away, I want to preview our 108th summer of performances.  As before, all 7 concerts below will occur at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Midland's Central Park on Wednesdays @ 7:30 PM.

2017 CCB Concert Dates

June 21

June 28

July 5

July 12

July 19

July 26

Aug 2

Each week we have a single rehearsal on Monday @ 7 PM in the Dow High School music room. This performance schedule requires talented & dedicated musicians who demonstrate excellent sight-reading skills. Steve DeRees will continue as our conductor for this season.  Additional members of the CCB Board of Directors include Susan Gessford, Richard Scott, Gaye Terwillegar, Mara Simanskey, and Richard Harner.

On a sad note, we lost Bob Johnson on March 17 to an automobile accident.  Bob was an active member of the Chemical City Band for over 50 years, and served as president and chairman of the board until 2015.  Recalling his talent for playing most reed instruments and his unique sense of humor, he will be missed by all.

On July 19 the Chemical City Band will play a joint concert with the Auburn Community Band of Auburn, IN (www.acbindiana.com).  They are celebrating their 35th anniversary with a trip to Midland.  Bill Burk, a long time resident of Midland, moved to Indiana and has orchestrated this first meeting of the two bands.

The Chemical City Band is a non-profit musical organization.  Donations can be made during concerts in either of the 2 snare drums (heads removed) or sent directly to 5709 Tiffany Lane, Midland, MI 48642.  Alternatively, donations towards our long term investment fund can be made to the Midland Area Community Foundation, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI, 48640.  Checks should indicate the "Chemical City Band Endowment Fund #545".

Please check this blog for more news throughout the season.  Additional information including last minute updates can be found on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chemicalcityband.  Also, check out the Verge section of the Midland Daily News each week.

Hope to see you at the first concert on June 21!