Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Concluding Thoughts for 2015

2015 was a transition year for the Chemical City Band (CCB), but included a fine list of guest conductors.  As soon as CCB Board of Directors (board) found that Jim Huber would not be directing any concerts due to conflicts with his new job and relocation, we realized that the "unwritten" responsibilities of the music director still needed to be accomplished for a successful season.

The board hired Sue Gessford as the CCB librarian and personnel manager for 2015.  Official duties for these 2 positions included locating, stuffing, distributing, and re-filing new music each week for musicians and insuring that each section of the band was appropriately staffed and attendance recorded.  While this may sound straightforward, the time and effort required is substantial.  Additionally, Sue worked with Midland Parks & Recreation for concert setup and Midland Public Schools for music and rehearsals, and many many more.  We are deeply indebted to her for doing the "behind the scenes" jobs this year, on time and without (much) complaint.

The board will extend an offer for a new Director of Music in a few weeks.  If anyone would like to express an opinion, please feel free to contact any of the board members listed below.  Of course, any comments about the CCB program or execution are appreciated and can be posted to this blog publicly.

Additional updates will be published as they become available.  As we conclude our current season, I want to thank all who attended concerts or otherwise supported the CCB.  Monetary donations can always be made to Midland Area Community Foundation, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI 48640.  Checks should be payable to "Chemical City Band Endowment Fund." 

Checks for Chemical City Band operations can still be mailed directly to 5709 Tiffany Lane, Midland, MI 48642.  All contributions are fully tax deductible.

We look forward to your return for the 107th season of the Chemical City Band starting in June 2016. 

Richard Harner, 2015 blogger on https://chemcityband.blogspot.com

on behalf of the Chemical City Band Board of Directors:

Bob Johnson, president and chairman
Rich Harner, vice-president and asst. chairman
Dick Scott, treasurer

Gaye Terwillegar, secretary
Mara Simanskey, public relations/marketing
Jim Huber, musical director

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Week 7 - Season Finale - July 29 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its final concert of the 2015 season on Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 PM at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell in Midland's Central Park.  Our guest conductor this week is Tom Broka, retired band director from Bay City Western high school in Auburn, MI.

The following musical selections will be presented:

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

Overture for Winds......................................................Charles Carter

Summertime....................................George Gershwin, arr. C. Custer

The Blues Factory.......................................................Jacob de Haan

The Governor's March..............................................Leroy Anderson

Intermission

The Light Fantastic March.....................................Leonard B. Smith

Mt. Everest...............................................................Rossano Galante

The Symphonic Beatles.........Lennon & McCartney, arr. J. Cacavas

King Cotton...................................John Philip Sousa, arr. F. Fennell


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

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

Monday, July 20, 2015

Week 6 - July 22 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 6th concert of the season on Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30 PM at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell in Midland's central park.  Our guest conductor this week is Steve DeRees, director of music at H. H. Dow High School for the last 20 years.

The following musical selections will be presented:

The Washington Post.....................John Philip Sousa, arr. P. Sparke

Waltzing Matilda...................................Marie Cowan, arr. A. Balent

Ashokan Farewell.......................................Jay Ungar, arr. C. Custer

Folk Song Suite................................................R. Vaughan Williams
          I. March "Seventeen Come Sunday"

American Legacy No. 1........................................arr. Charles Carter

Intermission

Salute to Bob Hope...............................................arr. Warren Barker

The Prayer..................................C. Sager & D. Foster, arr. V. Lopez

An Irish Rhapsody...................................................Clare Grundman

Sway............................................Pablo Beltran Ruiz, arr. M. Brown

National Emblem March........................E. E. Bagley, ed. F. Fennell

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Week 5 - July 15 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 5th concert of the season on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30 PM in the Nicholsen-Guenther band shell at Midland's Central Park.  Our guest conductor this week is Greg Smokovitz, director of music at the Bullock Creek Schools.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Amparito Roca (Spanish March).................................Jamie Texidor

Nathan Hale Trilogy....................................................James Curnow
                 I. Intrada
                 II. Intermezzo
                 III. Finale

Carnival of Venice..................................................Herbert L. Clarke
                featuring Aaron Smokovitz, trumpet soloist

Heritage March.............................................................Steve Hodges

Seventy Six Trombones.............Meredith Willson, arr. L. Anderson

Intermission

Rocky on Broadway.............................................arr. Patrick Roszell

The Great Steamboat Race......................................Robert W. Smith

Red's White and Blue March................"Red" Skelton, arr. D. Ferris

Brandenburg Gate (Concert March).............................Paul Jennings


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Week 4 - July 8 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its fourth concert of the season on Wednesday, July 8 at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell, starting at 7:30 PM.  Our guest conductor this week is Peter Makar Jr. IV

The following musical selections will be presented:


The Phantom Regiment.........................................................Leroy Anderson

Cavata...............................................................................W. Francis McBeth
Bolero for Band...........................................................................Glenn Osser
Chorale.................................................................................Vaclav Nelhybel
Powhatan’s Daughter, march...............John Philip Sousa, ed. Loras Schissel

Intermission

Bandology, concert march.........................................................Eric Osterling
Colorama, a fantasy in color............................Peter De Rose, arr. Paul Yoder
Blue Tango..............................................................................Leroy Anderson
Mikado Marc............................................. John Philip Sousa, ed. Harold Gore

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Week 3 - July 1 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its third concert of the season on Wednesday, July 1 at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell, starting at 7:30 PM.  Our guest conductor this week is Dana Everson.

Dr. Dana F. Everson is a long time Midland area resident, holding advanced degrees in music and ministry.  He is a performer, conductor, teacher, father & grandfather.  But the band knows him best as a composer and arranger, having published over 400 pieces with David E. Smith Publications, Deckerville, MI.

The following musical selections (including several of Dana's arrangements) will be presented:

Star Spangled Banner......................................................arr. Everson

Deep River Medley.........................................................arr. Everson

Interlochen Theme.................................Howard Hanson, arr. Balent

Instant Concert......................................................Harold L. Walters

The Girl I Left Behind Me........................................Leroy Anderson

The Music Man......................................Meredith Willson, arr. Reed

Intermission

Americans We.......................................Henry Fillmore, arr. Fennell

Armed Forces Salute......................................................arr. Everson

You're a Grand Old Flag................................................arr. Everson

America the Beautiful.....................................................arr. Everson

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

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Week 2 - June 24 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its second concert of the season on Wednesday, June 24 at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell, starting at 7:30 PM.  Chris O'Connell will be directing the band again this week.

The following musical selections will be presented:

Circus Bee...............................................Henry Fillmore, arr. Custer

Selections from Mary Poppins.............Richard Sherman, arr. Kostal

Flight of the Eagle.........................................................John Wasson

Tame the Savage Sea...............................................Elliot Del Borgo

Alamo March...........................................Henry Fillmore, arr. Foster


Intermission

Lassus Trombone.....................................Henry Fillmore, arr. Foster

How to Train Your Dragon..................John Powell, arr. O'Loughlin

John Williams in Concert.....................John Williams, arr. Lavender

Liberty Bell March.............................John Philip Sousa, arr. Revelli
                                                                                      

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Week 1 - June 17 Concert

The  Chemical City Band will perform its first concert of the 2015 season on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 PM at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell in Midland's Central Park at Rodd & E. Collins Streets (across from Central Middle School parking lot).

This 106th season will feature a number of guest conductors, including Chris O'Connell for the first 2 concerts.  Chris has just been named the Assistant Band Director for Midland High School.  The Chemical City Band will be looking for a permanent director this season due to the loss of Jim Huber to the Midland area.  Jim, who completed 14 years as our conductor, has moved on to a new position as administrator for the Otsego Christian School, interim pastor at a local church, and performing (yes, he is a fine clarinet player) in the Gaylord Community Band.  We wish him and wife Terri well in their new endeavors.

Our first concert will be shared with a new musical group in town, the MidMichigan Brass Band, directed by Megan Barnard.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

2015 season announced

The Chemical City Band's 2015 concert season

All concerts will begin at 7:30pm in the Nicholson-Gunther band shell at Midland's Central Park.

After 14 years as music director, Jim Huber is leaving Midland to accept a ministry position in Gaylord, MI where he has accepted a position as administrator of Otsego Christian School.  

Here is the concert schedule for this summer (along with the conductors for each performance).


June 17    Chris O'Connell

June 24    Chris O'Connell

July 1       Dr. Dana Everson

July 8       Peter Makar

July 15     Greg Smokovitz 

July 22     Steve Derees

July 29     Steve Derees