Members of the Montgomery County Civic Band will kick off the summer concert season Sunday with tunes to commemorate the “Big 6-0.”
The band is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and conductor Gary Ketchum is planning a few surprises.
The first of five scheduled performances will take place at 3 p.m. in the gazebo on the grounds of historic Lane Place.
“We are excited to have reached this milestone,” Ketchum said. “And we can’t wait to celebrate all summer long.”
Ketchum said the band began in 1964, the creation of a fellow Air Force Bandsman. On startup, the group had no funds, just one march book, but had the support of then Mayor Will Hays Jr. Over the years, the group grew in both size and community support, and soon attendance at the concerts became a local summertime tradition.
This year’s band is comprised of 50 members who come from a variety of backgrounds and whose ages range from a teen in eighth grade to 90.
This season, Ketchum is reaching a personal milestone. It is his 18th year as director of the civic band. It’s a role he has enjoyed but is ready to hand off.
At the conclusion of this season, Ketchum intends to return the leadership of the band to Cindy McCormick. She led the civic band for 17 years prior to Ketchum. Although, he won’t be in front of the band, Ketchum plans to continue as a musician.
As always, the hour-long performance on Sunday will begin with the playing of the National Anthem.
The band will then play the “Lane Place March,” which was written by former band member and McCormick’s mother, Malinda Zenor.
Barb Wilson, the only original band member who is actively still playing in the civic band, will help direct her musical student, Brenden Young, with a tuba solo. Young will play “Old Grumpy Bear.”
After the tuba solo the band will perform “60s Gold,” a mix of tunes, including some rock ‘n roll, and music from Mary Poppins, which was written in the 60s and is of that era, Ketchum said.
Patrick Burnette will then perform a solo, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love,” on the alto saxophone.
The band will bring back the memories when they play “Beetles Remembered,” a medley of tunes that are sure to take listeners back to the day the British stars appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
As the performance winds down, McCormick will lead the band through some Hoagy Carmichael tunes.
The concert will end with the playing of “Stars and Stripes,” and children in attendance will be invited to direct the band.
Concert-goers are asked to bring a blanket or lawn chair to the performance. Free-will donations will be accepted. Proceeds help the band purchase music for future seasons.
Additional concerts are planned for June 23, which will feature church music; July 7, which features patriotic tunes; July 21, which will be Ketchum’s mix; and the children’s concert on Aug. 4.
