Week 6 - July 16, 2025

UPDATE:  Due to the prediction of rain at the time of the concert, tonight's performance will be held in Central Auditorium, located at the corner of Rodd and Reardon.  MCTV will be recording the concert for posting at a later date. 

The Chemical City Band will present its 6th concert of the 2025 Season on Wednesday, July 16 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Early weather predictions do not look good for tomorrow evening.  We will move the concert to Central Auditorium, only if necessary.  A decision will be made after 4:00 PM and posted on this blog and our Facebook page.

Steve DeRees will conduct a program similar to last week's cancelled concert as follows:

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

The Phantom of the Opera Medley.....................................Andrew Lloyd Webber, arr. J. Vinson

Thoughts of Love...........................................................................Arthur Pryor, arr. C.J. Roberts

Owen DeLong - Trombone Soloist 

Redemption......................................................................................................Rossano Galante

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

Bugler's Holliday....................................................................Leroy Anderson, arr. M. Edwards

Rick Enszer, Jason Folkenroth, & Tim Rice - Trumpet Trio 

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

 Intermission

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

The Pearl Fishers Overture.............................................................................arr. Lucien Cailliet

Rock 'N' Roll Explosion.....................................................................................arr. Jerry Nowak

Sweet Georgia Brown..............Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, and Kenneth Casey, arr. J. Bocook

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

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

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

Leroy Anderson

Week 5 - July 9, 2025

UPDATE: Thanks to all who came to the band shell this evening.  Even at 7:00 PM we were convinced that the weather would hold, but by 7:30 PM the drops changed to steady rain and the concert was cancelled.  Much of the same music will be back on the program next Wednesday, including our trombone soloist.

The Chemical City Band will present its 5th concert of the 2025 Season on Wednesday, July 9 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 updates.

Steve DeRees continues as our conductor and will present the following musical selections:

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

The Phantom of the Opera Medley.....................................Andrew Lloyd Webber, arr. J. Vinson

Thoughts of Love...........................................................................Arthur Pryor, arr. C.J. Roberts

Owen DeLong - Trombone Soloist 

Redemption......................................................................................................Rossano Galante

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

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

 Intermission

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

The Pearl Fishers Overture.............................................................................arr. Lucien Cailliet

Rock 'N' Roll Explosion.....................................................................................arr. Jerry Nowak

Sweet Georgia Brown..............Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard, and Kenneth Casey, arr. J. Bocook

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

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

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

 

Arthur Pryor

Week 4 - July 2, 2025

The Chemical City Band will present its 4th concert of the 2025 Season on Wednesday, July 2 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Due to the proximity to the national holiday, we will perform a set of patriotic music as in years past.  While the weather looks good for tomorrow evening, please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Steve DeRees continues as our conductor and will direct the following musical selections:

Liberty Spirit March......................................................................................Patrick Wilson

Early American Suite..................................................................Traditional, arr. John Moss

American Folk Rhapsody #1......................................................................Clare Grundman

A Tribute to Glenn Miller............................................................................arr. Henry Gass

Music from Apollo 13............................................................James Horner, arr. John Moss

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

Intermission

The Chimes of Liberty..........................................................E.F. Goldman, arr. L.J. Schissel

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

Armed Forces on Parade 2023.......................................................arr. US Dept. of Defense

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

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

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

John Moss

Week 3 - June 25 Concert

The Chemical City Band will present its 3rd concert of the 2025 season on Wednesday, June 25 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  

This week we do not have access to the Central Auditorium, so inclement weather will force us to cancel the concert.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details.  If cancelled, all musicians must still drop off their music folders at the Collins parking lot adjacent to the band shell around 7 PM to reset for the patriotic concert on July 2.

Steve DeRees is our conductor this week.  He will direct the following pieces for your enjoyment:

Revelation March.......................................................................................W. Paris Chambers

Michel Legrand in Concert.....................................Michel Legrand, Marilyn and Alan Bergman

Blue Tango......................................................................................................Leroy Anderson

Strike Up the Band Overture......................................................................George Gershwin

St. Florian Choral............................................................................................Thomas Doss 

Selections from Moana...................................................................................arr. Jay Bocook

Intermission

Hall of Fame Concert March......................................................................Joseph Olivadoti

Triumphant Spirit............................................................................................Timothy Johnson

Trilogy.................................................................................................................Jim Curnow

The Picadore 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

Week 2 - June 18 Concert

UPDATE:  Tonight's concert is moved to Central Auditorium!!

The Chemical City Band will present its 2nd concert of the 2025 season on Wednesday, June 18 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.  In case of rain, which seems likely, the concert will be moved to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute details.

Steve DeRees returns as our conductor this week and will present the following musical selections:

Sol Y Sombra.....................................................................................George Gates

Edgemont Festival Overture.............................................................Carl Strommen

The Walking Frog......................................................................................K.L. King

Prelude and Rondo.....................................................................David R. Holsinger

Brazilian Festival........................................................................arr. Howard Cable

Joshua..............................................................................................arr. Paul Yoder

Intermission

His Honor.............................................................................................Henry Fillmore

Fantasy on American Sailing Songs..................................................Clare Grundman

A Russian Festival....................................................................................Jay Dawson

The Freelance March.......................................................................John Philip Sousa

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

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

Week 1 - June 11 Concert

 The Chemical City Band will present its first concert of the 2025 season on Wednesday, June 11 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.

Joel Wiseman serves as our Guest Conductor this week and will present the following musical selections:

 

The Pride fo the Wolverines............................................................................John Philip Sousa

Scenario for Winds.................................................................................................John Cacavas

Blue Moon..............................................................................Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

Funiculi Funicula......................................................................................................Luigi Denza

Robin Hood Soundtrack Highlights.....................................................................Michael Kamen

Intermission

Romanza Semplice....................................................................................................Fred J. Allen

Star Quest....................................................................................................................Dave Black

Norwegian March "Valdres".............................................................................Johannes Hanssen

Men of Ohio...........................................................................................................Henry Fillmore

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

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

 

2025 Season Opening Remarks

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

2025 CCB Concert Dates

June 11

June 18

June 25

July 2

July 9

July 16

July 23

All concerts are free and open to the public.  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 the benches for the audience and mobility limited individuals.  Lawn chairs are also welcome throughout the park.  In case of rain, the concert normally moves to Central Auditorium.

For the CCB performers, Monday rehearsals start at 7:00 PM sharp in 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.  Three new members are marked (*) below:

Richard S. Harner, chairman

Susan M. Gessford, vice-chairman

*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.

The CCB participates in the Give Local Midland one-day fund raiser, sponsored by the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF).  The band will receive $2,994.63 total for 2025: $2,325.00 from direct contributions, $369.63 in matching funds, and $300 from a special prize.  In addition to contributions from the general public, the band is supported by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and the Alden & Vada Dow Family Foundation.

The Chemical City Band is a non-profit 501(c)(3) musical organization registered in the State of Michigan.  Cash/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 116th season of musical performance.  We strive to enhance the quality of life in Midland with a community-wide tradition since 1910.