2023 Season Closing Remarks

The Chemical City Band (CCB) closed its 114th season with a concert on July 26, traditionally performed at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park.  The weather was not very cooperative this year - one concert was cancelled and three others were moved (due to rain and smoke) to Central Auditorium.  We wish to thank all those who attended, regardless of last minute changes to the venue.

The drum shells were available for cash contributions during each concert.  We received over $400 one evening, a new record for CCB!  During the 2023 season, 77 musicians performed at least 1 concert, and 15 played (or rehearsed) for all 7.  Instrumentation gaps were filled by talented high school & college students, accounting for 14 of our personnel this year.  Finally, we averaged 46 players each week.

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

Gaye Terwillegar, secretary

Richard L. Scott, treasurer

Mara Stewart, publicity director

Stephen E. DeRees, music director

The CCB operates with 3 paid staff positions. Sue Gessford serves as personnel manager, Beth Thomas as librarian, and Steve DeRees as band conductor.  Additionally, Tom Broka was our guest conductor on July 19 and Justin Taylor was the featured trombone soloist on June 28.

In addition to contributions from the general public, the Board would like to acknowledge operating 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 in May, 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 Chemical City Band long term investment fund #545.  Any income in excess of expenses is deposited in our MACF fund with a goal of self-sufficiency in the future.

Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell

2023 Roster (alphabetical by first name)

Adrienne Feige    Andrew Kowalski    Andrew Reed

Angela Kalcek    Anna Gessford    Anne Halls

Ash Goldberg    Autumn Brutyn    Ben Dawley

Beth Thomas    Bobbi Shephard    Brenda Selley

Brenden Dastick    Camryn Toth    Cara Bucci

Chris Seman    Cora Lambert    Dave Selley

Dean Bard    Dick Scott    Elijah Skutt

Emma Longoria    Eric Attard    Everett Kalcek

Gabe Krish    Gavin Mehl    Gaye Terwillegar

Grant Wang    Greg Bovid    Izaac Ringgold

Jacob Weisenbach    Jason Folkenroth    Jessica Chai

Jim Lile    Jim Pavilcek    John Kostoff

JR Nosal    Justin Taylor    Justin Walker

Katelynn Kosar    Ken Pederson    Ken Yegiala

Kerry Smith    Kevin Rash    Laura Maiers

Lindsay Walker    Logan Gessford    Lonny Cruff

Mara Stewart    Matt Thomas    Mattie Midkiff

Meg Carlson    Miranda Noel    Nathan Ng

Nathan Snyder    Nicole Bruski    Nicole Rausch

Owen DeLong    Rachel Morr    Rich Harner

Rick Enszer    Roger Stevens    Ryan Egeler

Ryan Petersen    Sam Ringgold    Shirley Walker

Stan Rowe    Stephanie Gessford    Sue Bovid

Sue Genau    Sue Gessford    Tina DeLong

Tom Broka    Tom Coon    Tom Peterson

Tom Rice    Tom Ryden

Week 7 - July 26 Concert

Update: Due to the uncertain weather, our final concert will be moved to Central Auditorium.

Band members need to report to the auditorium at 6:30 pm for setup and rehearsal.  The doors will open to the public at 7:00 pm.

The Chemical City Band will attempt to perform in the seventh week of the 2023 season on Wednesday, July 26 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  Weather predictions for the evening are not looking good at this time.  We will move to Central Auditorium if rain is likely during the concert time.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Most of the music listed below was originally programmed for the July 12 concert, which was cancelled due to rain.  Steve DeRees will return as our conductor for the evening.

Proud Heritage.................................................................................................William Latham

Abington Ridge Overture......................................................................................Ed Huckeby

Highlights from "Frozen".................................................................................arr. Sean O'Loughlin

The Time Is Now.................................................................................................Harry Stone

Suite from the Universal Picture "Jaws"......................................John Williams, arr. J. Cacavas

Alexander's Ragtime Band....................................................................Irving Berlin, arr. J. Taylor

Intermission

Trombones to the Fore...........................................Harold T. Scull, arr. D.A. Pope & N. Richardson

Big Band Classics...............................................................................................arr. Eric Osterling

Carioca........................................................................................Vincent Youmans, arr. B. Lowden

Rock 'n' Roll Explosion!.....................................................................................arr. Jerry Nowak

From Maine to Oregon 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

Proposed Construction for Fall 2023

Week 6 - July 19 Concert

 The Chemical City Band will perform its sixth concert of the 2023 season on July 19 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.

Tom Broka is our guest conductor this week.  He has chosen the following musical selections for your enjoyment, separated by a short intermission:

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

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

The Thunder and the Roar....................................................................Pierre La Plante

Music from "Apollo 13".............................................................James Horner, arr. J. Moss

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

The Purple Pageant Concert March..........................................Karl L. King, arr. J.P. Paynter

Intermission

The Free Lance March................................................................................John Philip Sousa

The Blue and the Gray................................................................................Clare Grundman

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull...........John Williams, arr. by M. Story

Festivo.................................................................................................Vaclav Nelhybel

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

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

James Horner

Week 5 - July 12 Concert

UPDATE #2:  The concert tonight is cancelled due to the approaching storm.  Central Auditorium was not available.  Band Members: Please turn in your music tonight in the parking lot on Collins St.  The folders will have new music on Monday next week when Tom Broka directs the band.

UPDATE:  The concert will be performed at the band shell tonight.  We will start about 5 minutes early and play without an intermission, to try to beat the rain.  Hope to see you there!

The Chemical City Band will perform its fifth concert of the 2023 season on July 12 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.

Our conductor this week is Steve DeRees.  The following musical selections will be presented with a short intermission:

Proud Heritage..................................................................................................................William Latham

 

Abington Ridge Overture.........................................................................................................Ed Huckeby

 

Highlights from "Frozen"............................................................................................arr. Sean O'Loughlin

The Time is Now....................................................................................................................Harry Stone

Suite from the Universal Picture "Jaws"........................................................John Williams, arr. J. Cacavas

Alexander's Ragtime Band.................................................................................Irving Berlin, arr. J. Taylor

Intermission

Big Band Classics........................................................................................................arr. Eric Osterling

Carioca.................................................................................................Vincent Youmans, arr. Bob Lowden

Rock 'n' Roll Explosion!.....................................................................................................arr. Jerry Nowak

From Maine to Oregon 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 Williams

Week 4 - July 5 Concert

Update:  The Chemical City Band concert has been moved to Central Auditorium tonight @ 7:30 pm.  All band members need to arrive by 6 pm for setup and rehearsal.

The Chemical City Band will perform its fourth concert of the 2023 season on Wednesday, July 5 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  

Due to the 4th of July holiday, the band will rehearse only at the band shell at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, immediately before the concert.  In case of rain, the rehearsal and concert will be moved to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Steve DeRees will conduct a program of patriotic music below, with no intermission:

 

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

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

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

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

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

America, from "West Side Story"....................Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, arr. M. Brown

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

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

America, the Beautiful.............................................................Samuel F. Ward, arr. Erik W.G. Leidzen

The Star-Spangled Banner......................Frances Scott Key and John Stafford Smith, arr. A.F. Gaylord

 

Week 3 - June 28 Concert

UPDATE: Due to the predicted air quality in Midland tomorrow, the concert is moved to Central Auditorium.

On Wednesday, June 28, doors will open for audience seating at 7:00 pm for the concert at 7:30 pm.  All band members should report by 6:30 pm for special setup, followed by rehearsal.

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The Chemical City Band will perform its third concert of the 2023 season on Wednesday, June 28 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  Even though weather predictions are good, the concert will be moved to Central Auditorium in case of rain.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Steve DeRees will direct the band once again this week and present the following musical selections with a short intermission:

Here Comes the Band March..............................................................................George H. Willcocks

Titus Overture.....................................................................................W.A. Mozart, arr. R.L. Moehlmann

A Day at Disneyland.................................................................................................arr. Michael Story

Rough-Riders Galop/March....................................................................Karl L. King, arr. J. Swearingen

Blue Bells of Scotland, Air and Variations..................................................Arthur Pryor, arr. E.M. Pearson

Justin Taylor, trombone soloist

Insignia.....................................................................................................................Sean O'Loughlin

Intermission

Dixieland Jam!...........................................................................................................arr. Bob Lowden

Intrada Jubilante....................................................................................................David R. Gillingham

I'll See You in my Dreams.........................................................................Gus Kahn and Isham Jones

The Trombone Rag.............................................................................................................John Higgins

King Cotton March..............................................................................John Philip Sousa, ed. F. Fennell

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

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

Arthur Pryor

Week 2 - June 21 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its second concert of the 2023 season on Wednesday, June 21 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.  See you there!

Steve DeRees will direct the band for this concert and present the following musical selections with a short intermission:

The Maestro (Concert March)..................................................................................Eric Osterling

Excerpts from the Opera "Lohengrin"..........................................Richard Wagner, arr. E. Osterling

Highlights from "Star Trek - The Motion Picture".............................Jerry Goldsmith, arr. J. Edmondson

Begin the Beguine....................................................................................Cole Porter, arr. J. Krance

The Black Horse Troup March..........................................................John Philip Sousa, ed. F. Fennell

Intermission

A Westchester Overture...................................................................................................Clare Grundman

The Lion King - Broadway Selections..........................................................................arr. Jay Bocook

Get Smart...............................................................................................Irving Szathmary, arr. M. Brown

Choose Joy..............................................................................................................Randall D. Standridge

Our Flirtation 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 1 Concert - June 14, 2023

The Chemical City Band will perform its first concert of the 2023 season on Wednesday, June 14 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 the central Auditorium. Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last-minute updates. See you there!

As always, we are excited to have Steve DeRess as our musical director! The following selections will be presented with a short intermission:

Dan River Festival..............................................................William G. Harbinson

Third Movement from Symphony No. 4.....Johannes Brahms, arr. Merle J. Isaac

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

Selections from “Encanto”........................Lin-Manuel Miranda, arr. Paul Murtha

It's Not Unusual........................................................Gordon Mills and Les Reed

Quality Plus................................................Fred Jewell, arr. by Robert Longfield

Intermission

A Gershwin Portrait!...................................................................Arr. John Higgins

Interlochen Theme from Symphony No. 2....Howard Hanson, arr. Andrew Balent

Highlights from “Return of the Jedi”..................John Williams, arr. Paul Jennings

Just a Closer Walk with Thee..........................................................Arr. Don Gillis

Golden Jubilee March.............................John Philip Sousa, ed Frederick Fennell

America, the Beautiful...........................................................Katharine Lee Bates

The Star-Spangled Banner........................................................Francis Scott Key

2023 Season Opening Remarks

The first rehearsal and performance of the Chemical City Band (CCB) for the 2023 season will occur in a little more than a week.  Due to the Midland Public School schedule, our season starts in June and will conclude before the end of July.

We have scheduled 7 Wednesday night concerts (starting at 7:30 pm) as follows: 

2023 Concert Dates

June 14

June 21

June 28

July 5

July 12

July 19

July 26

All concerts are free and are performed at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park.  Please park in the lot adjacent to Collins Street.  Additional parking is available over the hill at the Miracle Field.

Monday rehearsals will start at 7 pm sharp at the H.H. Dow High School band room.  The rehearsal that falls on July 3 has been cancelled due to the holiday.  We will meet at 6 pm on Wednesday, July 5 at the band shell to rehearse before the start of the concert at 7:30.  

On Tuesday, May 2, 2023 the Chemical City Band participated in the Give Local Midland campaign sponsored by the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF).  A total of $3,975.67 was received ($3100 in donations from 26 donors and $575.67 in matching funds from the MACF).  Due to the nimble fingers of Sue Gessford, an additional $300 was awarded to the CCB for securing the 11 PM Prize.  Many thanks for all who called in for this one day event.

The Chemical City Band is a non-profit (501c3) musical organization registered in the State of Michigan.  Cash/check donations can be made during any concert in one of two snare drums strategically placed among the audience, or sent directly to 5709 Tiffany Lane, Midland, MI 48642.  Alternatively, donations toward our long term investment fund can be sent to the Midland Area Community Foundation, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI 48640.  Checks/Grants should indicate the "Chemical City Band Endowment Fund, #545".

All are invited to share in the celebration of our 114th season of musical performance. We strive to enhance the quality of life in Midland with a community-wide tradition since 1910.