Week 5 - July 20 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 5th concert of the 2016 Season on Wednesday, July 20 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Tonight, the audience will include 2 members of the Auburn Community Band, who traveled from Indiana today to arrange a possible joint performance of the bands during our 2017 season.  Percussionists: please provide many unusual sounds during the Spike Jones Salute in honor of our guests!

The following musical selections will be presented:

Shannon Lake...............................................................Brant Karrick

Second Suite for Military Band in F Major...................Gustav Holst
          1. Movement 1, March

Adagio...........................................Tomaso Albinoni, arr. J. de Haan

A Salute to Spike Jones..........................................arr. Calvin Custer

1st South Dakota Infantry March..............F.M. Halstad, arr. J.Pekas

Intermission

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

Someone to Watch Over Me.........George Gershwin, arr. W. Barker
           Jeff Podhorez, alto sax soloist

Big Bands Play Folk Songs..........................................arr. J. Ployhar

Manhattan Beach March........John Philip Sousa, arr. Brion/Schissel

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

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

Week 4 - July 13 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its 4th concert of the 2016 Season on Wednesday, July 13 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

During the month of July, the Grape Beginnings Winery, LLC (244 E. Main St. Midland) will donate 10% of the sales of one wine selection Wild Red - Wildberry Shiraz to the Chemical City Band.  Check out their website: www.grapebeginningswinery.com for more information.

Our weekly program gives other options for contributing to the band directly or through our endowment fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation.  We are now half way through the 107th season of performing in Midland.  Several supporters have written checks for $107 to celebrate this occasion. 

The following musical selections will be presented for your enjoyment:

Blue Ridge Saga....................................................James Swearingen

Italian Festival..........................................................arr. Glenn Osser

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

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

Oh, Henry! Concert March............................................Ryan Nowlin

Intermission

Dark Fortress Overture.......................................................Bob Grice

Disney Blockbuster.................................................arr. John Higgins

Second American Folk Rhapsody............................Clare Grundman

King Cotton March........................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

Week 3 - July 6 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its third concert of the 2016 season on Wednesday, July 6 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

In case of inclement weather, the concert is cancelled because we have no other available venue.  Band members should bring their music to the band shell @ 7 PM so the folders can be re-stuffed for next week.

The following musical selections will be presented:

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

In Their Honor...........................................................Carl Strommen

Chimes of Liberty March...Edwin Franko Goldman, arr. L. Schissel

The Swiss Shepherd...................................P. Morlacchi, arr. N. Kile
         Ayana Terauchi, Flute soloist

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

Intermission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Week 2 - June 29 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its second concert of the 2016 season on Wednesday, June 29 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Under the direction of our permanent conductor, Steve DeRees, the band will play the following musical selections:

136th U.S.A. Field Artillery March...........................Henry Fillmore

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

The Rowan Tree..............................................Randall D. Standridge

Paul Bunyan (A Lumberjack Rhapsody)....................Clare Hounsell

Second Suite for Military Band in F Major...................Gustav Holst
          IV. Fantasia on the "Dargason"

Intermission

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

The Right Stuff Highlights........................Bill Conti, arr. P. Jennings

The Marriage of Figaro Overture..........W.A. Mozart, arr. E. Slocum

Riders For The Flag........................John Philip Sousa, ed. F. Fennell

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

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

Week 1 - June 22 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its first concert of the 2016 season on Wednesday, June 22 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 PM.

Parking will be a challenge this summer due to renovation work at Central Middle School.  While that parking lot will be closed, several options are available on Collins St. towards the Midland Community Center.  The first is just off the street, while the second is "over the hill" from the band shell.  Also, the lot at Memorial Presbyterian Church is open, but is a longer walk along Rodd St.

Under the direction of our new conductor, Steve DeRees, the band will play the following selections:

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

Nordic Sketches........................................................Pierre La Plante

Selections from "The Music Man"........Meredith Willson, arr. Lang

I've Made My Plans for the Summer.....................John Philip Sousa

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

Intermission

On the Mall March.......................................Edwin Franko Goldman

Shepherd's Air..............................C. William Goff, arr. Jay Dawson

Motown Revue.........................................................arr. Paul Murtha

1. I Heard it Through the Grapevine
2. My Girl
3. ABC

Incantations..............................................................Robert W. Smith

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

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

2016 Season Opening Remarks

In just 2 weeks the Chemical City Band will begin its 107th season with a concert at the Nicholson-Guenther band shell in Midland's Central Park on Wednesday, June 22 @ 7:30 PM.  

The band's new music director is Steve DeRees.  He is well known around town, serving as director of music at the H. H. Dow High School.  Steve was selected from a fine list of capable candidates, many who guest conducted last season.  He accepted the position with the stipulation that he be allowed to play tuba on at least one concert this summer.  Steve becomes only the 6th permanent director in the band's long history serving the Midland community. 

Other changes in the band governing structure include the retirement of Bob Johnson from the position of president and chairman of the board of directors.  Bob held that position since the creation of the board and will be missed.  However, he will continue to play clarinet, sax, bassoon, etc. with the band on a regular basis.

Richard Harner has moved into the position of chairman and board president (and weekly blogger).  Sue Gessford joins the board of directors this year and will continue on as personnel manager and librarian.  The other board members are Dick Scott, Gaye Terwillegar, Mara Simanskey, and Steve DeRees.

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 be payable to "Chemical City Band Endowment Fund #545.

Additional information including last minute updates can be found on our facebook page: www.facebook.com/chemicalcityband. Check out the youtube.com video featuring a candid interview with Steve DeRees, hosted by Mike McPeak.

Hope to see you at the first concert on June 22!

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