The Marshall County Community Band held its first 2008 rehearsal on Tuesday, January 29. The rehearsal began at 7 PM in the MHS Band room and lasted about ninety minutes. Eighteen musicians attended. The band spent the evening reading new music.

Meg Baker, band president, conducted for the evening. She opened up the rehearsal with a Bach piece, “If Thou Be Near”, as a warmup followed by a version of Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther”. Carol Hood conducted Sousa’s, “Salute to Kansas March”. Tob Wood directed a recently purchased piece called “A Quiet Journey Home”.

After the warmup piece, Meg Baker asked everyone to introduce themselves and convey what they liked about playing in the Community Band. Crystal Richardson said that she liked having the opportunity to play instruments, such as the xylophone, that she does not have available to her at home. Teresa Hammett told how she had missed playing since she had finished college.

Throughout the evening, several more musicians arrived and joined in playing with the group.

Musicians traveled from as far away as Sabetha, KS and Beatrice, NE. They ranged in musical experience from seventh grader Rick Urbanek to former band director Bud Schuette. Three of the participants, Tob Wood, Carol Hood, and Renata Ramonda, are directors in area schools. Four players, Scotti Claeys, Bryan Richardson, Emily Spunaugle, and Rick Urbanek, are local music students.

Afterwards, the group briefly discussed the pieces and gave opinions about which ones they would be interested in performing during the season. Favorites were “Tribute to Irving Berlin” and “Irish Tune from County Derry”. Least liked were “Parade of the Clichés” and “A Touch of Jazz”.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Community Band or checking out a folder to rehearse music should contact Meg Baker at 785-562-5420 or zischan@gmail.com.

The next rehearsal is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7 PM in the MHS Band room. All players, regardless of age or skill, are welcome to attend. These pre-season rehearsals are a great way to get back in to playing in an environment with no performance expectations.

Attendees were:

• Meg Baker
• Scotti Claeys
• Matthew Ekstrum
• Susan Friedrichs
• Teresa Hammett
• Bob Hendee
• Carol Hood
• Steve Moser
• Colette Ottens
• Renata Ramonda
• Bryan Richardson
• Crystal Richardson
• Bud Schuette
• Alex Shultz
• Emily Spunaugle
• Rick Urbanek
• Diane Wenger
• Tob Wood

The band read through eleven pieces during the evening:

• American Heritage Suite
• An American in Paris
• Highlights from The Sound of Music
• If Thou Be Near
• Irish Tune from County Derry
• Parade of the Clichés
• The Pink Panther
• A Quiet Journey Home (“His Eye is on the Sparrow”)
• Salute to Kansas March
• A Touch of Jazz
• Tribute to Irving Berlin

Of course, an even better use of that old horn is to bring it to a rehearsal–and then stay and play it! If you would like to give the band a try, but maybe that old horn isn’t in the best shape, contact us about repair options. We will help you find a way to get that instrument back in playing shape so you can, too. The Community Band was created for the purpose of giving local musicians in Marshall County an opportunity to play and perform music, not only for themselves but also for the residents of the communities in our area. Playing music is a skill that can last a lifetime, and has many benefits. Studies have linked involvement in music to better verbal skills and recognition, improved memory, and more focused, improved brain activity. Music improves critical analysis skill, creative thinking, appreciation of other cultures and perspectives, and ability to adapt to new situations. It’s also a great way to relax, de-stress, and have fun with other musicians. With these and so many other benefits, everybody should give the Community Band a try!

Do you have an old instrument that is just sitting in a closet or attic gathering dust? Do you know anybody that does? The Community Band can help you find a use for that old horn. We have been very fortunate and grateful to have access to the facilities and equipment of the Marysville bands. But as the school band program continues to grow in the next few years, it will become a challenge to have enough equipment for everybody. In order to provide instruments for band members that want to play in the Community Band, we are accepting tax-deductible donations of old instruments that can be repaired and used by musicians that do not have their own.

The Marshall County Community Band is preparing for a 5th summer of entertaining performances. With new music, new concerts, and many new faces in the band, it will be an exciting summer for everyone! There are several rehearsals scheduled this spring to begin preparing for the summer concert series. The dates are January 29, February 26, March 25, and April 22. These are all on Tuesdays, in the Marysville HS band room, beginning at 7:00 pm. These rehearsals are open to anyone who wants to come play. We will be reading many potential new selections for the summer concerts. Anyone who has ever played a band instrument is encouraged to come play. Even if you haven’t picked up your horn since your school days, come give it a try— it will be fun! There are opportunities available for anyone who would like to play.

The Marshall County Arts Cooperative has hired Tubadew Web Designs to revamp our website to help us improve communications between MCAC and the community. This blog is one such tool which we will use to promote upcoming arts events in the Marshall County area.