Special July 4 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform at America's 250th Celebration event held on July 4 in Midland between the Dow Diamond and the East End, starting at 3:00 PM.  The following musical selections will be presented:

Carnegie Anthem..............................................................................................William Owens

American Patrol.................................................................................................F.W. Meacham

Armed Forces on Parade (A.F.O.P.) 2023................................arr. Navy Band School of Music

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

The Star-Spangled Banner..............................................sung a cappella by Gretchen Shope

God Bless America........................................................................Irving Berlin, arr. John Moss

St. Louis Blues March.....................................................................W.C. Handy, arr. Jerry Gray

Steve DeRees will conduct these patriotic pieces interspersed with community readings and presentations. Gretchen Shope, winner of the 2024 Jimmy Awards and currently appearing on stage in the SUFFS National Tour, will sing the National Anthem.

CCB members only: Report to the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band shell at 1:30 pm to load the H.H. Dow music trailer and carpool over to the Dow Diamond for unloading.  Due to road construction, the normal route is detoured.  Drive south on Jefferson, take a right on Austin/Indian, left on Third, then right on Ellsworth towards the Loons parking lot.  Turn towards the brick wall and follow around to the restricted parking area south of the stadium.  A traffic guard should let you through the barricade.  Your white shirt and long black pants will convince him that you are with the CCB.  Good luck.

Gretchen Shope

Week 4 - July 1 Concert

The Chemical City Band will present its 4th concert of the 2026 season on Wednesday, July 1 in Central Auditorium (305 E Reardon St), starting at 7:30 PM.  The change in venue is due to the extreme heat conditions predicted during concert time.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for any further updates.

The band will also participate in Midland's America's 250th Celebration at 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 4 on a portable band shell set in the grassy area between the Dow Diamond and East End.  A separate blog will be published later this week with more details.

Steve DeRees will present the following musical selections during the Wednesday evening concert:

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

Carnegie Anthem.............................................................................................................................William Owens

Miss Liberty March........................................................................................................................John Edmondson

A Colonial Legend...........................................................................................................................Clare Grundman

Emblem of Unity March.......................................................................................................................J. J. Richards

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

Intermission

St. Louis Blues March....................................................................................................W. C. Handy, arr. Jerry Gray

Military Escort March.........................................................................................................................Harold Bennett

Armed Forces on Parade (A.F.O.P.) 2023.................................................................arr. Navy Band School of Music

American Patrol.................................................................................................................................F. W. Meacham

God Bless America.................................................................................................Irving Berlin, arr. Frank D. Cofield

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

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

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

John Philip Sousa

Week 3 - June 24 Concert

The Chemical City Band will present its third concert of the 2026 season on Wednesday, June 24 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  Again, rain is in the forecast so check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.  The concert will be moved to Central Auditorium if the weather does not cooperate.

Steve DeRees will present the following musical pieces for your listening pleasure:

 

Alamo March..................................................................................................................Karl L. King, arr. J. Swearingen

Spirtuals!.......................................................................................................................arr. Charlie Hill & Chuck Elledge

Rachmaninoff:  Prelude.....................................................................................................................arr. Anne McGinty

Ceremonial Sketch...................................................................................................................................Thomas Tyra

Drums of America......................................................................................................John Warrington & George Frock

Intermission

March "Salutation".....................................................................................................Roland F. Seitz, arr. R.E. Thurston

Big Sky Overture......................................................................................................................................Philip Sparke

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

Panorama USA.................................................................................................................................James D. Ployhar

The Invincible Eagle March.................................................................................John Philip Sousa, arr. Brion-Schissel

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

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

 

Karl L. King

Week 2 - June 17 Concert

UPDATE:  The concert will be held in Central Auditorium tonight due to adverse weather predictions.

The Chemical City Band will present its second concert of the 2026 season on Wednesday, June 17 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  Rain is a real possibility this evening, so check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.  The concert will be moved to Central Auditorium if the weather does not cooperate.

Steve DeRees, the Director of Bands for the H.H. Dow High School, returns as conductor.  He will present the following musical selections:

 

Amparito Roca Spanish March...........................................................................................................Jaime Texidor

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

Travelin’ Trumpets............................................................................................................................James D Ployhar

Starlight Memories.........................................................................................................................Darren W Jenkins

Malagueña........................................................................................................Ernesto Lecuona, arr. Sammy Nestico

Intermission

Coldplay on Stage...............................................................Berryman, Buckland, Champion, & Martin, arr. M. Brown

Sway (recorded by Michael Bublé)..........................................................................Pablo Beltran Ruiz, arr. M. Brown

Motown Medley.................................................................................................................................arr. Allen Schmidt

Sabre and Spurs................................................................................................John Philip Sousa, arr. Brion/Schissel

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

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

 

Michael Brown

 

 

Week 1 - June 10 Concert

 The Chemical City Band will present its first concert of the 2026 season on Wednesday, June 10 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  In case of rain, the concert will be moved to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details.

Dr. Sarah Braun, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment for the Pinconning Area School District, serves as a guest conductor this week, and will present the following musical selections:

Emperata Overture..............................................................................................................................Claude T. Smith

Wyoming Portrait....................................................................................................................................David L. Wells

Sounds of the Carpenters...............................................................................................................arr. by John Cacavas

Troopers’ Tribunal March...............................................................................Henry Fillmore, edited by Robert E. Foster

Slane.......................................................................................................................arr. by Douglas E. Wagner

Intermission

Clarinet Candy....................................................................................................................................Leroy Anderson

As Summer was Just Beginning...........................................................................................................Larry D. Daehn

Themes Like Old Times III..............................................................................................................arr. by Warren Barker

The Invincible Eagle...........................................................................John Philip Sousa, edited/arr. by Brion-Schissel

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

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

 

Claude T. Smith

2026 Season Opening Remarks

The first performance of the Chemical City Band (CCB) will occur in less than 2 weeks at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park.  All regular concerts start at 7:30 PM on Wednesday nights as follows:

2026 CCB Concert Dates

June 10

June 17

June 24

July 1

July 8

July 15

July 22

An additional performance is planned for July 4, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the our country's independence.  Festivities will start at 3:00 PM on a portable band shell set up between the Dow Diamond and East End.  Official announcements are forthcoming.

All concerts are free and open to the public.  For Wednesday evening concerts, please park in the lot adjacent to Collins Street.  Additional parking is available over the hill at the Midland Miracle Field.  The concrete walkway facillitates access to permanent benches for the audience and space for mobility limited individuals.  Lawn chairs are welcome throughout the park.  In case of rain, the concert normally moves to Central Auditorium on Rodd Street.  Please check this blog or our facebook page for last minute details.

For CCB performers, Monday rehearsals start at 7:00 PM sharp at the H. H. Dow High School band room and conclude at 9:30 PM (break included).  The band operates with a 6 member Board of Directors (unpaid positions), who are also performing musicians:

Richard S. Harner, president

Susan M. Gessford, vice-president

Andrew Reed, secretary

James Lile, treasurer

Elizabeth Thomas, publicity director

Stephen E. DeRees, music director

Three board directors also serve in paid staff positions.  Sue Gessford is the personnel manager and Beth Thomas is the librarian.  Steve DeRees serves as the band conductor. 

On May 5, the CCB participated in the Give Local Midland one-day fundraiser  sponsored by the Midland Area Community Foundation MACF).  The band will receive $2,909.31 total for 2026: $2025 from direct contributions, $584.31 in matching funds, and a $300 special prize.  In addition to contributions from the general public, the band is supported by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and the Alden and Vada Dow Family Foundation.

The Chemical City Band is a non-profit 501c3 musical organization registered in the State of Michigan.  Cash or check donations can be made at any concert or sent directly to the Chemical City Band, P.O. Box #2454, Midland, MI 48641.  

All are invited to share in the celebration of our 117th season of musical performance.  We strive to enhance the quality of life in Midland with a community-wide tradition since 1910.

2025 Season Closing Remarks

The Chemical City Band (CCB) closed its 116th season with a concert on Wednesday, July 23 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park.  Weather-wise the evening was warm and sunny in contrast to rain in 3 of 7 weeks this year.  Two concerts were held in Central Auditorium and one was cancelled due to unexpected rain just before concert time.

Two drum shells were available at each concert for donations of cash, coins, or checks.  Performances averaged 48 players per week, taken from a roster of 82 musicians.  12 members played every week and 27 high school/college students participated at least one week.  In total, 70 pieces of music were rehearsed on Monday and performed on Wednesday.

The CCB has a 6 member Board of Directors who are also performing members of the band:

Richard S. Harner, president

Susan M. Gessford, vice-president

Andrew Reed, secretary

James Lile, treasurer

Elizabeth Thomas, publicity director

Stephen E. DeRees, music director

Three board directors also serve in paid CCB staff positions.  Sue Gessford is the personnel manager and Beth Thomas is the librarian.  Steve DeRees serves as the band conductor.  Additionally, Joel Wiseman was our guest conductor on June 11 and Owen DeLong was the trombone soloist on July 16.

In addition to contributions from the general public, the Board would like to acknowledge financial support from the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and the Alden and Vada Dow Family Foundation.  The CCB also participated in the Give Local Midland one-day fund raiser sponsored by the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF).  Without this local support, the CCB would not be viable.

Contributions to the CCB endowment fund, administered by the MACF, can be made at any time by indicating the Chemcal City Band long term investment fund, #545. Any income is excess of expenses is deposited in our MACF fund with the goal of self-sufficiency in the future.

2025 Roster (alphabetical by first name)

CCB Roster 2025