Madison Community Band opens 25th concert season

Madison Community Band is observing its 25th concert season in 2017. MCB’s will present its spring concert on March 28 at Grace United Methodist Church. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Madison Community Band will open its 25th concert season with its annual spring concert on March 28.

MCB will present the free concert at Grace United Methodist Church, 2113 Old Monrovia Road at 7 p.m. The concert is open to the public.

“This year’s spring concert is built on the theme of ‘Great Adventures, Musicals and Marches,’” MCB Publicist Bryan Cobb said. “The program features music that celebrates the spirit of imagination and exploration in ‘Star Trek’ and the adventurous pioneers portrayed in the epic saga, ‘How the West Was Won.’”

Selections from “The Sound of Music” may motivate the audience to sing along to the songs from this classic Broadway and Hollywood hit. “Marches by John Philip Sousa salute the man whose stirring music is an American treasure and a fitting memorial,” Cobb said.

This concert is a milestone for Madison Community Band. In 1993, 15 musicians formed the band after playing together for Asbury Dinner Theatre. “Twenty-five seasons and more than 500 members later, the adventure continues with performances at parks, patriotic events and festivals throughout the Tennessee Valley,” Cobb said.

MCB’s past performances include a joint concert with the U.S. Army Material Command Band; Madison Gazebo Concerts; Huntsville’s Panoply of the Arts festival; Decatur’s Paul Stroud Concerts by the River; Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga; Civil War Sesquicentennial events; and Fayetteville’s Host of Christmas Past festival.

“Enthusiasm for preparing and performing concert music remains strong for the band and its director, Dave Ryan. Membership has grown to include volunteer musicians from all ages, occupations and lifestyles,” Cobb said.

The 70-plus active members of the 2017 band comprise middle- and high-school students, retirees and people whose work encompasses a career or their families. “They all unite around the love of playing and the desire to share their music with friends, neighbors and the community,” Cobb said.

The band’s 25th concert season continues with these summer performances featuring additional music:

* Memorial Day Commemoration — Downtown Madison on the Village Green, May 29, 11 a.m.

* Tennessee Aquarium – Chattanooga, Tenn., June 3, 1 p.m.

* Stone Bridge Park – Fayetteville, Tenn., June 6, 7 p.m.

* Bridge Street Town Centre – Huntsville, June 10, 6 p.m.

* Daikin Amphitheater at Founder’s Park – Decatur, July 17, 7 p.m.

For more information, visit m-c-b.org or Facebook/Madison Community Band.