HUTCHINSON MUNICIPAL BAND ANNOUNCES JOINT CONCERT ON JULY 6, 2021
Thursday, July 01, 2021
KS Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division Band to join the Hutchinson Municipal Band for a special joint concert
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS, June 30, 2021 – The Hutchinson Municipal Band is proud to announce a special joint concert on July 6, 2021, at 8:00 pm at their new location in Carey Park between the Hutchinson Zoo and the Homebuilders' Shelter. The concert will feature the Hutchinson Municipal Band opening the program, followed by a thirty-minute performance by the Kansas Army National Guard's 35th Infantry Division Band, and a combined band of the two ensembles playing three pieces together.
Under the command of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jim Walker, the 35th Infantry Division Band comprises citizen soldiers, contributing skills, talents, and experiences to the unit and the Kansas Army National Guard. Like all National Guard units, the Band meets one weekend a month and 15 days during the summer to rehearse and fulfill military training requirements.
As musical ambassadors, the 35th Infantry Division Band represents the Governor at civilian and military functions throughout the state, performing parades, concerts, and political inaugurations. The Band's Summer 2021 concert tour includes Pratt, Dodge City, Sublette, Hutchinson, Hoisington, Larned, Colby, Greensburg, Fort Hays State University, WaKeeney, Great Bend, and Kansas State Bandmasters in Wichita. Additionally, the 35th Infantry Division Band will perform a special tribute on September 11, 2021, at the Kansas State Fair in honor of the 20th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the crash of United 93.
The Hutchinson Municipal Band and 35th Infantry Division Band have been in discussions regarding a joint concert since 2018. In 2019, the concert, scheduled initially for Dillon Nature Center, was rained out. COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 concert.
The live performance will feature a set of selections performed by the Hutchinson Municipal Band, including the Star-Spangled Banner and other numbers, for 15 minutes at the beginning of the concert. Next, the 35th Infantry Division Band will play patriotic selections, marches, and popular music in their 30-minute segment of the program. Finally, the two bands will combine into one large ensemble to play Carmen Dragon's America, the Beautiful, the military branch standard Armed Forces Salute, and John Philips Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.
The concert is supported by the City of Hutchinson's Cultural Activities Fund, administered by the Hutchinson/Reno Arts and Humanities Council. The 35th Division Army Band of the Kansas Army National Guard is provided compliments of the great state of Kansas. The concert is free and open to the public – no admission ticket is required. Simply bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets and enjoy an evening of live music.
As a part of an ongoing partnership, the Hutchinson Zoo will be open to welcome concert-goers on July 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. There is a suggested donation of $2 per person or $5 per family for admission. However, guests are welcome regardless of their contribution. For an additional cost, concert-goers may enjoy food from various food trucks, including R and B Too and Salt City Chiller, which will be located between the Education and the Cargill Wildlife Center. In addition, picnic tables and restrooms will be available for use in that area until the concert's conclusion.
The Reno County Farmer's Market will be used as a rain location should weather not permit the Carey Park performance space. Currently, there is no shelter available for either the ensembles performing or audience members in Carey Park. Use of the rain location will be announced at least two hours before the beginning of concerts with signage posted at both venues, on social media, our website, and, if possible, on local news outlets.
To schedule an interview with the 35th Infantry Division Band, please contact Sergeant First Class Shawn Evans via email at shawn.c.evans.mil@mail.mil.
Questions related to this press release may be directed to Charles Johnston, personnel manager for the Hutchinson Municipal Band. You may reach Mr. Johnston by emailed personnel@hutchinsonmunicipalband.org or by phone at 646-628-4353.
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The Hutchinson Municipal Band was founded in 1875. In 1915, the Band became an official entity of the City of Hutchinson through a mill levy established by public vote to support the maintenance of a military-style concert band. As has been the tradition since its founding, all the musicians are local. Most are non-professional musicians with varying backgrounds that represent a cross-section of the Hutchinson community. Since its inception, the Band has provided summer concerts every year, presenting a combination of concert and jazz band performances.
The Concert Band presents band classics, marches, show tunes, movie soundtracks, and patriotic music, while the Salt City Jazz Band presents Big Band and jazz music. In addition, the Hutchinson Municipal Band also offers its service throughout the year with the Hutchinson Brass Quintet. Finally, the Band makes regular appearances throughout the community as requested, including annual participation in numerous community events, including the Patriot's and Holiday parades.
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