The band, a town fixture in the 1920’s, was reformed in 1976 in connection with local celebrations of the Bicentennial. During the school year, the band rehearses weekly, and presents several public concerts. In 1980, the band established the weekly summer concert series. Every Tuesday evening from mid-June to the end of August, the band plays an hour-long concert in Central Park that is free to t
he public who attends. Audiences for these concerts fluctuate with the weather, but have ranged from 300 – 500 people. The band also plays to a large crowd just prior to the fireworks display on the Corvallis riverfront for the Fourth of July celebration when they present stirring patriotic music. The band now has a core group of more than sixty. In the summer, the band consistently numbers seventy-five or more ranging in age from middle-school age to senior citizens, playing side-by-side and learning from each other. Many members say that the intergenerational aspect is one of the things they like best about playing in the band. The summer program is one of the few activities available in the Corvallis area to student musicians for performance. No auditions are held to be eligible to play with the band however they are encouraged to have the ability to perform at a high school level. Students are encouraged to participate to develop and hone the skills during their summer school year break. For students that are home schooled, the band offers the ability to perform year round. During the school year, the band rehearses at Ashbrook Independent School, and performs an educational concert for local fourth graders, a Holiday Concert, and a Winter Concert. We also perform at locations throughout the community and try to arrange a concert at one local school each year. We also provide a smaller “traveling band” to play for community events and groups, such as retirement homes, service clubs, etc. During the Christmas shopping season, the “traveling band” plays for shoppers in Downtown Corvallis. This smaller band has played for several 150th Anniversary events for the City of Corvallis during 2007. The Corvallis Community Band benefits the youth of Benton County by providing both playing and listening opportunities for them. The band, especially in the summer months, becomes a friendly, non-competitive place for students to continue playing their instruments through the summer when few such options are available to them. They gain experience in sight-reading and technique. They play a wider variety of music than is possible in their school groups. In addition, the band is one of the only options available to children who are home schooled. Most importantly, students play along side adults who enjoy music as a life-long activity and who demonstrate positive role model behavior of music appreciation for them. During the summer band concerts, Corvallis area families sit together on blankets and lawn chairs that they bring, to enjoy the music on a summer night. Many children can be seen dancing or marching to the music in front of the band. The Corvallis Community Band’s concerts in the park provide a free activity for families, a relaxed atmosphere in which parents can introduce their children to enjoyable music that allows them the freedom to come and go, as need dictates. Many senior citizens also enjoy the concerts. Area retirement centers will bring their residents by bus to enjoy the concerts. Families who enjoy the summer concerts often bring their older children to our indoor concerts during the school year. All the Corvallis Community Band’s concerts are free and short, usually only an hour long. They provide families an opportunity to introduce their children to music and to appropriate concert behavior. Over 200 band members have participated in the Corvallis Community Band during the past two years. These adults and students benefit directly from being able to perform music in the way the composer intended – LIVE – in front of an audience. The students benefit by participating in a quality music performance group as they are learning to play. Several band members are professional and semi-professional musicians who perform regularly around the mid-Willamette Valley. Giving a student access to these professionals is vital in maintaining their appreciation of the arts. In addition, the weekly commitment by the senior citizens involved with the band has not only provided social interaction but has allowed many to "pick up the old horn" after decades of not playing only to find that they still have the love of performance. Life just got in the way when they had no time to allow for this type of activity. Musical performance is a very low physical stress activity with a higher aerobic benefit. Annual Budget:
The Corvallis Community Band budget includes small stipends for our conductor and the equipment manager, publicity, printing (programs, tickets), rental of space for rehearsals, storage, and concerts, and purchases of new music and necessary equipment. Individual and corporate sponsors of our concerts meet the major portion of our budget. We make requests to granting organizations for special equipment and other projects. United Way does not support the Corvallis Community Band. Non-Profit Status:
The Corvallis Community Band received tax-exempt [501(c )3] status from the IRS in December 2004. Donations to the band are tax deductible, and the band is listed with the Oregon Cultural Trust. Donations from Hewlett Packard employees are eligible for matching donations from HP. Checks should be made to the Corvallis Community Band. Endowment Fund:
The Corvallis Community Band has set up an endowment fund through the Benton Community Foundation to ensure the longevity of the ensemble. More information can be found at https://www.bcfgives.org/corvallis-communtiy-band-endowment-fund/
