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.

2024 Season Closing Remarks

The Chemical City Band closed its 115th season with a concert on Wednesday, July 24 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park.  The evening was perfect, sunny and warm, with a large appreciative audience.  Indeed, the weather was cooperative this year - only one concert was moved to Central Auditorium due to rain.

Due to a generous grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF), a permanent sound system was installed at the band shell and used successfully at each concert.  Feedback from selected attendees was very positive.  Announcements and soloists could now be heard clearly by the audience, regardless of seating location at the venue.  The press release is reproduced below:

The CCB shared a patriotic concert with the Strong Winds MPT of the 338th Army Band on July 3.  The 9 member combo converged on Midland from several states as part of their summer performance schedule.  The new wireless microphones were used effectively for the vocal soloists.

The drum shells were available for contributions throughout the season.  We received over $600 in cash in one evening, a new record for CCB! During the 2024 season, 90 musicians performed at least 1 concert, and 9 rehearsed and played all 7.  Instrumentation gaps were filled by talented high school and college students, accounting for 24 of the total.  The youngest players were 15 years old.  The average participation each week was 46.

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 the band conductor.  Additionally, Tom Broka was our guest conductor on July 17 and Andrew Reed was the featured alto saxophone soloist on July 24.

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 & Vada Dow Family Foundation.  The CCB also participated in the Give Local Midland one-day fund raiser in May, sponsored by the 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 indicating the Chemical City Band long term investment fund, #545.  Any income in excess of expenses is deposited in our MACF fund with the goal of self-sufficiency in the future.

2024 Roster (alphabetical by first name)

Week 7 - July 24 Concert

 The Chemical City Band will present its seventh and final concert of the 2024 season on Wednesday, July 24 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.

For all musicians playing this concert, checks will be distributed during the warmup.  Members not playing the final concert will receive a check by mail.  Please cash your check at your earliest convenience.

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

Festivity.............................................................................................................................Stephen Bulla

The Best of Broadway.............................................................................................arr. James H. Burden

Upon These Grounds....................................................................................................John Tatgenhorst

Someone to Watch Over Me................................................................George Gershwin, arr. W. Barker

Andrew Reed, Alto Saxophone

March "The Southerner"....................................................................Russell Alexander, arr. G.C. Bainum

Intermission

The Klaxon March........................................................................................Henry Fillmore, ed. F. Fennell

Majestia.........................................................................................................................James Swearingen

West Side Story Selections..........................Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, arr. W.J. Duthoit

The Black Horse Troop 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

Stephen Sondheim

Week 6 - July 17 Concert

The Chemical City Band will present its sixth concert on July 17 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  Weather predictions look good, but in case of rain, the performance will move to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Our guest conductor this week will be Tom Broka.  The following musical selections will be presented:

The Winged Stallion...................................................................................Rossano Galante

The Best of "Journey"..................................................................................arr. Paul Murtha

Hallelujah, from the Motion Picture "Shrek".............................Leonard Cohen, arr. M. Brown

Lake County Landscapes.............................................................................Robert Sheldon

I. Forest Gateway

II. Sidewalk Stroll

III. Urban Vibe

IV. Seaplane City

Silvercrest Concert March..........................................................................James Swearingen

Intermission

Torch of Liberty March.................................................................Karl L. King, arr. J. Swearingen

American Images................................................................................................arr. John Moss

Night and Day.....................................................................................Cole Porter, arr. J. Krance

Pixar Movie Magic..........................................................................................arr. Michael Brown

Semper Fidelis 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

Robert Sheldon

Week 5 - July 10 Concert

UPDATE:  The concert is moved to Central Auditorium tonight!  Please arrive at the regular time for sound check and leave your cases/coats in the hallway behind the stage (no other rooms available).

The Chemical City Band will perform its fifth concert of the 2024 season on July 10 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.

With hurricane remnants heading our way, the weather does not look promising.  A decision will be made by 4:00 pm whether to move the concert to the Central Auditorium or stay at our outdoor venue. Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Steve DeRees will conduct again this week, presenting the following musical selections for your enjoyment:

Legends and Heroes, American Folksong Suite #1.............................................Pierre La Plante

I. Patrick on the Railway

II. Sweet Betsy

III. Little David, Play On!

"Mary Poppins" Selections...............Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman, arr. T. Ricketts

Caribeguine...........................................................................................................Willis Schaefer

The Show Piece, Concert March......................................................................Richard W. Bowles

Intermission

"Jurassic Park" Soundtrack Highlights...........................................John Williams, arr. P. Lavender

Celebration and Song..........................................................................................Robert Sheldon

Star Spangled Spectacular, Music of George M. Cohan.......................................arr. J. Cacavas

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

George M. Cohan

Week 4 - July 3 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its fourth concert of the 2024 season on July 3 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  

Due to the July 4 holiday, our normal Monday night rehearsal is postponed until 6:00 pm on Wednesday (5:30 pm arrival & setup), immediately before the concert.  In case of rain, the rehearsal and performance are moved to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

This week we will be sharing the stage with the Strong Winds MPT combo of the 338th Army Band.  A rousing patriotic concert will be presented as follows:

Chemical City Band - Steve DeRees, Director

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

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

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

 

Strong Winds MPT - CWO Kevin Bays, Director

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

Grand Russian Fantasia...................................................................Jules Levy, arr. D. Shephard

Rhapsody in Blue.......................................................................George Gershwin, arr. P. Murtha

Highlights from "The Greatest Showman"......................................................arr. Michael Brown

God Bless the U.S.A.....................................................................Lee Greenwood, arr. J. Vinson

 

Combined Bands

National Emblem March........................................................................................Edwin E. Bagley

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

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

Armed Forces on Parade........................................................................................arr.  US Navy Staff

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

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

 

Strong Winds MPT members:

SSG Kimberly Meigs - Flute

SGT Heidi Miller - Flute

SFC Matthew Gilfillan - Trombone

SPC Lidia Cooper - Tuba

SPC Andrew Pettit - Euphonium

SGT Andrew Neer - Trumpet

SSG Joel Wiseman - Cornet

SPC Joshua Harper - Clarinet/Sax

Strong Winds of 338th Army Band

Week 3 - June 26 Concert

The Chemical City Band will perform its third concert of the 2024 season on June 26 at the Nicholson-Guenther Community Band Shell in Midland's Central Park, starting at 7:30 pm.  Weather predictions look good this week.  In case of rain, the concert will move to Central Auditorium.  Please check this blog or our Facebook page for last minute updates.

Steve DeRees will conduct once again this week.  The following musical selections will be presented with a short intermission:

Mt. Everest....................................................................................................................Rossano Galante

Flight of the Eagle..............................................................................................................John Wasson

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

Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew......................................................................................James Curnow

Intermission

Flying Fortress.............................................................................................Ernst Stieberitz, arr. J. Jurrens

The Symphonic Beatles..................................................John Lennon & Paul McCartney, arr. J. Cacavas

Joyant Winds..........................................................................................................................Ed Huckeby

The Blues Brothers Revue.................................................................................................arr. Jay Bocook

The Gallant Seven March.......................................................................John Philip Sousa, arr. F. Fennell

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

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

 

James Curnow