Chester Muni Band opens 81st summer season
The Chester Municipal Band just celebrated its 80th Anniversary last year in 2017 and ended the season with a huge celebration with a dinner, program, concert and special appearance of former Muni Band Director, John A. Birchler.
The 2018 edition of the Chester Muni Band kicked off its 81st season with a premiere concert at the First United Methodist Church June 12. The event was sponsored by the church and included ice cream, homemade cookies and lemonade immediately following the concert.
The Municipal Band played a one-hour concert to a packed house in the FUMC Fellowship Hall. The concert featured marches, pop tunes, golden oldies as well and show tunes. The show opened with the traditional playing of the national anthem and ended with the traditional performance of the band's official theme song, "God Bless America."
CHS Music Director Steve Colonel made a special announcement prior to the conclusion of the concert and invited everyone to stay around and enjoy free refreshments compliments of the First United Methodist Church.
He also informed everyone that future concerts for the duration of the 2018 Summer Concert Series would be at the band stand behind the American Legion in Chester. The band has hosted concerts at various locations throughout the city of Chester over the years. One of the most popular locations was the American Legion.
"We are going to try a new location this summer to change things up a bit," Colonel said, "The Chester Gazebo was a nice central location, but there was a lot of street noise up there at the intersection of State and Route 3. In addition, the sun set right in my eyes each concert and it was very difficult for me to see to direct the band."
"It was also extremely hot at that location, surrounded by brick buildings and sitting on the brick and concrete areas surrounding the performance area," he added. "Parking was also an issue and we had to haul equipment to-and-from that location each week."
Colonel noted that the American Legion location offered plenty of parking at the band stand and that there was room surrounding the performance area to sit in lawn chairs, spread a blanket on the grass or to even enjoy the comfort of your own automobiles and sit inside the vehicles during the concerts.
"A nice breeze usually blows behind the Legion and concertgoers can even go inside the Legion club room and get a cold beverage or snack to enjoy throughout the concert. There is plenty of room for both band members and audience members to park and the highway noise should not be a major factor. We think everyone will enjoy the return to the American Legion concert site", said Colonel.
The Chester Muni Band rehearses each assigned Monday throughout the summer at 7 p.m. Rehearsals are held at the Chester Grade School Band Room and last approximately one-and-one-half hours.
Concerts are held on assigned Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Band Stand. Concerts last approximately one hour.
Rehearsal and concert dates are as follow:
Rehearsal Tuesday May 29
NO CONCERT or REHEARSAL June 4 & 5 (Week Off for Vacations)
Rehearsal and Concert June 11 & 12
Rehearsal and Concert June 18 & 19
Rehearsal and Concert June 25 & 26
Rehearsal and Concert July 2 & 3
Concert at Kaskaskia Island Wednesday July Fourth (12:30 p.m.)
NO CONCERT or REHEARSAL July 9 & 10 (Week Off for Vacations)
Rehearsal and Concert July 16 & 17
Rehearsal and Concert July 23 & 24
Rehearsal and Concert July 30 & 31 (FINAL REGULAR SEASON CONCERT)
Concert Sunday September 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chester Gazebo (Popeye Picnic)
For more information please contact Steve Colonel, Municipal Band Director, or one of the Muni Band board of directors: Jim Beers, Linda Kriete, Rob Schroeder, Chris Bowles, or Jane Stallman. All concerts are free. The Municipal Band is sponsored by Mayor Tom Page and the Chester City Council.