Band season begins

MT. PLEASANT — On Thursday evening, men, women, and children gathered on blankets, benches, and folding chairs in the grass of Central Park as the Mt. Pleasant Community Band continued an age-old tradition of performing music by Karl King and other artists outdoors.

According to Community Band Director Adam Creager, the tradition of gathering outside in parks and on hillsides to enjoy music and fellowship in the park is, “a neat thing that is unique and has its roots in Iowa.”

The Community Band consisting of approximately 30 musicians began the evening by playing “Courage March,” by Harold Bennett.

As the band played, children splashed in the fountain, families enjoyed take-out or picnic meals, Arts IMPACT offered crafts, and the P.E.O sold pie by the slice.

“We are making painted rocks,” Marcy Adams with Arts IMPACT said as the band began to play “Try to Remember,” by Bruce Chase.

“I love painting rocks,” 7-year-old Rylee Seiber said as she painted “Be Kind” on a rock. “On my next rock I’m going to say everyone should believe in Jesus and love!”

According to Adams, the rocks will be given away or hidden throughout the community to spread kindness.

At the Arts IMPACT table, Adams also invited children to create tie-dye butterflies and will offer other crafts at different Community Band performances throughout the summer.

Creager kept things fun for all as he introduced “Colonel Bogey March,” arranged by Andrew Balent and brought attention to how the music has been used in familiar jingles.

He laughed as he later introduced “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” by Jimmy Buffett and explained some unique band members, pink lawn flamingos.

“So, when you live in a small town, or when you're from a small town, oftentimes when you're least expecting it, something crazy, silly, goofy, or strange happens,” Creager said. “So, Mindy [his wife] and I were in Minnesota last week and came home on Thursday afternoon and found our yard speckled with pink flamingos.”

“We brought a few along tonight to share with all of you,” he said. “So, kids, if you'd like a pink flamingo or adults, you're welcome to grab one of these up here.”

Other music from the evening included a John Williams trilogy, “Areospace Overture,” by Cora Gable, and “Celtic Air and March,” by Michael Sweeney.

The Community Band closed out their performance with a traditional Karl King March.

“We're going to close with one of our famous composers, teachers, leaders from the state of Iowa, and that's Karl King,” Creager said. “[This music] written at the turn of the century into the 1900s was played where people would gather, perform lots of marches and classical pieces and have soloists.”

Creager described how, even then, “people would get out their lawn chairs and their blankets, sit on hillsides, have picnics and just enjoy being outside and listening to music.”

“So, we are carrying on that tradition 123 some years later and very glad to do so,” Creager said. “So, Karl King, as I mentioned, native Iowa and taught at Fort Dodge and a prolific march writer.”

With that, the band concluded the evening playing King’s “Torch of Liberty.”

The Mt. Pleasant Community Band will continue to play on Thursday evenings throughout the summer at Central Park. Any changes to location will be posted on Facebook or announced on the radio.

The band season will conclude with a final performance at the Henry County Fair.

Other musicians are welcome to join the band for practices on Tuesdays before performances at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School. More information is available on the NEW Mt. Pleasant Community Band Facebook page.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com