by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
There may be 76 trombones in the big parade, but in the Sartell Area Community Band there is only one.
That is why the band is trying to recruit more talent, including maybe – with a little luck – a few more trombone players. The band could also use a few more flute players and percussionists. Currently, the band is a “bit heavy on saxophones,” said Ann Doyscher-Domres, one of the founding members and a clarinet player in the band. She is also the program director for Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education.
The Sartell Area Community Band is democratic and open-ended. For example, no auditions are required for someone to join it. It will accept any and all instrument players of any age and any skill level.
“The more the merrier,” Doyscher-Domres said. “We are inclusive, and we welcome all talent levels.”
People will have a chance to see and hear the band when it performs at the Pine Groove Arts and Crafts Festival, which will take place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at Sartell Middle School. The event is a multi-talent show to raise funds for the Sartell Music Association.
Anyone interested should just show up at the first rehearsal for the summer of 2014 season. The 90-minute rehearsal will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 4 at Sartell Middle School. Band rehearsals are always held at that time on Sundays at the middle school.
Currently, there are about 25 active members of the band, which is now in its eighth season. Its director is David Lummley, who is also the director for the Sartell High School Band.
Each spring and summer, the band performs four concerts: Memorial Day, Sartell SummerFest and two concerts in June at Val Smith Park on Sartell’s east side. This season’s schedule is as follows:
Memorial Day ceremony in Veterans Park, Sartell: 9 a.m. Monday, May 26.
Sartell SummerFest at the Libertyville event in Pinecone Regional Park: Friday, June 13. Performance time to be determined.
Two concerts in Val Smith Park: Monday, June 16, and Monday, June 30. The times of those concerts will be announced later.
Those concerts are sponsored by Liberty Savings and Loan, Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education and the City of Sartell.
Anyone interested in joining the band or checking it out should call Doyscher-Domres at 320-253-4036.
