Community Band Festival features four metro bands

Minnesota boasts 10,000 lakes and more than 150 community bands, reputedly more such bands per capita than any other state, made up of amateur musicians of all ages and backgrounds.

Some travel to Europe while others never leave their county. Some require auditions for participation and others are happy to welcome whoever walks through the door to help fill a section. Some charge membership dues, others rely on pancake breakfast and spaghetti supper fundraisers with some paid concerts and grants to cover expenses.

Area residents will have an opportunity to hear four of the premier metro community bands on Saturday July 28.

The Zumbrota Community Band, with partial funding from the Zumbrota Community Trust, will hold its biannual Community Band Festival at the East Park band shell, between Sixth and Seventh streets on East Avenue, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The five bands, including the host band, will each take their turn on stage for 45 minutes, followed by a mass band finale by all the participants.

The concert schedule is as follows: 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Calhoun Isles Community Band; 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Fridley City Band; 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. Zumbrota Community Band; 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Brio Brass (Swing Band); 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Roseville Community Band; and 4:30 p.m. Mass Band.

Several small group ensembles will play between the large groups during setup including Zbrass, Bald Eagles of Red Wing and the Fridley German Band.

There is no admission fee. The audience is asked to bring lawn chairs and come for one concert or stay all day. Pulled pork meals and sandwiches will be available for purchase at St. Paul's Catholic Church, which is also the concert location in case of rain.

Tags: arts and entertainment, news, minnesota, arts, entertainment