Week 1 - June 12 Concert

 The Chemical City Band will perform its first concert of the 2024 season on June 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.

Steve DeRees returns as our conductor this week.  The following musical selections will be presented with a short intermission:

Overture Jubiloso.........................................................................................................Frank Erickson

Roller Coaster, a Symphonic Sketch.........................................................................Otto M. Schwarz

Appalachian Folk Fantasy......................................................................................arr. Anne McGinty

Grand Canyon Overture........................................................................................James Swearingen

The Motorist March.................................................................................Louis Rich, arr. R. Feldbush

Intermission

Second Suite in F, for Military Band......................................................Gustav Holst, ed. C. Matthews

1. March

2. Song Without Words, "I'll love my love"

3. Song of the Blacksmith

4. Fantasia on the "Dargason"

I Want to Hold Your Hand........................................................................John Lennon & Paul MCartney

The Free Lance March "On to Victory" .......................................................................John Phiip Sousa

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

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

Gustav Holst

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024 Season Opening Remarks

 The first rehearsal and performance of the Chemical City Band (CCB) for the 2024 season will occur next week.  This year our season starts in mid-June and concludes before the end of July. We have scheduled 7 Wednesday evening concerts (starting at 7:30 pm) as follows:

2024 CCB Concert Dates

June 12

June 19

June 26

July 3

July 10

July 17

July 24

All concerts are free to the public and 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 Midland Miracle Field.  In case of rain, the concert normally moves to Central Auditorium.

The City of Midland has completed a construction project improving access to the band shell and adding a Collins Street dropoff area.  Please use the new concrete walkway to access the audience benches.  The proposed walkway to the playground (below) has not yet been completed:

Furthermore, through a generous grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF), a permanent sound system was designed and installed at the band shell over the winter.  

The Midland Area Community Foundation exists to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive.

The work was coordinated by Heath Hetherington of Central A/V Design of Midland.  We hope this new sound equipment will improve each concert attendee's enjoyment of musical selection announcements and of soloists/vocalists.

Monday rehearsals will start at 7 pm sharp in the H.H. Dow High School band room.  The rehearsal that would normally occur on July 1 has been moved to 6 pm on July 3 at the band shell, followed by a patriotic concert at 7:30 pm.  This change accomodates our guest performers, the Strong Winds MPT combo group of the 338th Army Band.  More information on this very special concert will be coming.

On Tuesday, May 7 the Chemical City Band participated in the Give Local Midland campaign sponsored by the MACF.  The CCB received $2,185 in donations by 25 individuals during this one day event.

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 via the two stragically located snare drum shells located among the audience or sent directly to the Chemical City Band, P.O. Box #2454, Midland, MI 48641.  

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 115th season of musical performance.  We strive to enhance the quality of life in Midland with a community-wide tradition since 1910.

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