Check out our Musician of the Week, Denny Hodge!

Instrument : Trumpet

Number of years playing: 30+

Occupation:  Business Continuity Manager for Aegon Global Technology, an Aegon company.

Family:  Wife (Terri) plays flute locally for several churches and theaters, is one of the founders and members of the Marion Chamber Trio (Flute, Harp and Cello) and has a small teaching studio.  In addition, she is the bell choir director at two churches and plays with the bell choir at a third church.  Our kids have all been raised in this “musical culture.” Chris, our oldest, is the head of the music department at the St. Maur International School in Yokohama, Japan and just earned his Masters in Music Education.  Nick is a working actor in Chicago, who you might just catch if you watch Chicago Fire or Chicago PD.  Erin lives in Marion and teaches Dance at Prestige Dance Studio in Cedar Rapids.   She and her husband have two boys, so we have the privilege of doting over grandkids and sending them home after we’re done spoiling them.   Our youngest is Jonah (12), who is the first chair tuba player in his band, is the best piano player in our house (I’m a terrible piano player) and is learning electric bass this summer.

Home Town:  I was born in Ohio, but have not lived here since the age of two.  I officially call Marion my home town.  Graduated from Linn Mar, as will all four of my kids.

Hobbies:  Well . . .  since music is not my profession, I would have to consider music as my primary hobby.  Besides the CRMB, I perform regularly with several different churches, direct the choir at All Saints Catholic Church, am a member of the Heartland Brass Quintet and perform in the pit for TCR, Revival Theatre Company, City Circle Players and the Iowa City Community Theatre. I also do a bit of composing any arranging, especially of bell choir music for my wife’s bell choirs.  Beyond that my other important hobby is flying.  I am in the process of building an airplane at the Marion Airport.  Hopefully it will be ready to fly in 2016.

Favorite CRMB Pieces:  Not sure I can nail this down to one piece, but I think everyone in the band knows that I LOVE show music.  So I’m partial to any film or broadway score.

We honor history this week with classical, pop, musical, and march favorites!  Young Artist Competition winner Lexi Forstrom will perform on alto saxophone, beand member Aaron Ottmar will dazzle you with his fiery mallet technique, enjoy a few Beatles favorites and a medley from Man of La Mancha.  Pack a picnic and a lawn chair and bring a friend!  Concert starts at 7:30.

This week’s program includes:

The Star Spangled Banner and Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication performed by Liz Krejci from Kennedy High School

Esprit de Corps (Jager)

Chicago Tribune March (Chambers)

Conducted by Mike Moehlmann in honor of his grandfather, the late Roland Moehlann

Beatles: Love (arr. Bocook)

Fantasia Concertante (Heiden)

Performed by Young Artist Competition winner: Lexi Forstrom, alto saxohpone

Recognition (Sousa)

Galop (Kabalevsky)

Performed by Aaron Ottmar, xylophone

Man of La Mancha (arr. Erickson)

Prestissimo (King)

There’s a nice report on the Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication (and the BAND, of course!) up at KCRG. Click here!

Lots of favorites to enjoy this week!  Young Artist Competition winner Lexi Forstrom will perform on alto saxophone, band member Aaron Ottmar will dazzle you with his fiery mallet technique, and enjoy a few Beatles favorites and a Man of La Mancha preview.  Pack a picnic and a lawn chair and bring a friend!  Concert starts at 7:30.

This week’s program includes:

The Star Spangled Banner and Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication performed by Liz Krejci from Kennedy High School

Esprit de Corps (Jager)

Chicago Tribune March (Chambers)

Beatles: Love (arr. Bocook)

Fantasia Concertante (Heiden)

Performed by Young Artist Competition winner: Lexi Forstrom, alto saxohpone

 Recognition (Sousa)

Galop (Kabalevsky)

Performed by Aaron Ottmar, xylophone

Man of La Mancha (arr. Erickson)

Prestissimo (King)

We found a lawn chair under the trees not far from the stage after Sunday night’s concert. If it is yours, call Scott at 431-9649 and we’ll make arrangements to get it back to you.

This is the PERFECT way to cap off your 4th of July weekend!  Bring the kids and friends out to enjoy patriotic favorites in celebration of Independence Day, KCRG’s Ashley Hinson on “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” Coe vocal professor Loralee Songer on “Over the Rainbow,” along with everyone’s favorite patriotic march “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”  Join us this Sunday at Ellis Park!  Concert starts at 7:30.  This is one not to miss!

Be sure to get there EARLY to hear the New Horizons Band perform at 6:30!

This week’s program:

The Star Spangled Banner and Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication performed by Bentlee Birchansky, Washington H.S.

Exultate (Samuel Hazo)

Superman March (John Williams, arr. Paul Lavender)

Over the Rainbow (Arlen & Harburg, arr. Warren Barker)
Featuring Loralee Songer, voice

Fantasy on Yankee Doodle (arr. Mark Williams)

The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels, arr. Michael Brown)
Featuring Ashley Hinson, violin

Armed Forces Salute (arr. Bob Lowden)

Legends of Jazz (arr. Stephen Bulla)

America, the Beautiful (arr. Dragon)
Featuring Ashley Hinson, violin & Loralee Songer, voice

Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa)

This week’s Musician of the Week is Kristi Schamberger!

Name: Kristi Schamberger
Instrument: Trumpet

Year I started playing with the Municipal Band: 1998
Occupation: Elementary/Middle School Orchestra Director at Echo Hill, Westfield, and Oak Ridge in the Linn-Mar School District
Family:  I have a husband, Jason, and a 15 month old son, Colton. They love attending the summer band concerts.  We also have a dog, Lingo, and three cats, Monnie, Soleil, and Maya.  My mom, Sharon, also plays in the band.  I grew up listening to the CRMB, several of my family members have also played in the band.
Hometown: Marion, Iowa
Hobbies: I love to travel!  My more recent trips have taken me to Hawaii, Italy, and Greece.  I also enjoy reading, paleo cooking, bargain hunting, and listening to live music.
Favorite CRMB pieces:  The Holst Suites, Percy Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry, Fandango by Frank Perkins, and any soundtrack music.

There is something for everyone this week!  Bring the kids and friends out to enjoy patriotic favorites in celebration of Independence Day, KCRG’s Ashley Hinson on “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and Coe vocal professor Loralee Songer on “Over the Rainbow.”  This Wednesday is also our first appearance at the McGrath Amphitheatre.  Concert starts at 7:30.  This is one not to miss!

This week’s program:

The Star Spangled Banner and Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication performed by Bentlee Birchansky, Washington H.S.

Exultate (Samuel Hazo)

Superman March (John Williams, arr. Paul Lavender)

Over the Rainbow (Arlen & Harburg, arr. Warren Barker)
Featuring Loralee Songer, voice

Fantasy on Yankee Doodle (arr. Mark Williams)

The Devil Went Down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels, arr. Michael Brown)
Featuring Ashley Hinson, violin

Armed Forces Salute (arr. Bob Lowden)

Legends of Jazz (arr. Stephen Bulla)

America, the Beautiful (arr. Dragon)
Featuring Ashley Hinson, violin & Loralee Songer, voice

Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa)

The prelude concert from the New Horizons Band at Bever is canceled. But…the Municipal Band concert is still a GO! See you at 7:30!

Sunday is your only chance this week to catch the great concert we have in store for you!  This week features new Iowa trumpet professor Courtney Jones on a piece composed by Cedar Rapids native Kim Scharnberg in addition to some concert band “war horses” and the gorgeous music from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves all under the direction of guest conductor Steve Stickney.  Pack up the kids, lawn chairs, and a picnic and head to Bever this Wednesday at 7:30!

This week’s program includes:

• The Star Spangled Banner and Cedar Rapids Song of Dedication sung and performed by Kyra Lehman, from Prairie High School
• Homage March (Wagner)
• Mannin Veen (Wood)
• Bayou Breakdown (Karrick)
• Travelogue for Trumpet (Scharnberg) featuring University of Iowa trumpet professor Courtney Jones: http://www.cjonestrumpet.com/
• Carnival (Basler)
• Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (arr. Lavender)
• The Gallant Seventh (Sousa)