Frank Piersol conducted the CR Municipal Band from 1971 to 1993. He came to us as an internationally known band leader and was the perfect choice to continue the good work of his predecessor, Roland Moehlmann.
In addition to being a conductor, he was also a composer. During the 1980s, he composed a series of marches. One, the Celebration March, was composed to celebrate the band’s 50th season. Sadly, recordings of these marches were not readily available…until today! With the kind permission of his estate, the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band recorded all of Frank’s marches, and they are now available on YouTube, including a delightful performance of Pavilion March by the Cedar Rapids Metro Youth Wind Ensemble (our special guests that day!).
These are the only reference recordings available right now, so please share the links and spread the word. Frank’s work deserves to be heard!
The City Band Commission will meet at 5:15 PM in the band room at Washington High School (2205 Forest Drive) on Friday, 22 March 2024. This will be followed by auditions.
Agenda includes:
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Financial Reports
Explanation of reporting changes as necessary
FY24 to date
FY24 proposed budget amendment
Committee Reports
Community Engagement
Compensation Committee
Audition Committee
Assets Committee
Old Business
Equipment Upgrades
Staircase for bandshell
CRMB performance at 2024 IBA conference
New Business
none
Public Comment
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the Municipal Band Business Manager at 319-431-9649 or email business AT crmuniband.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event.
The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, a professional concert band that presents 18 free outdoor concerts every summer in Cedar Rapids metro area sites, will be holding its annual auditions on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 in the band room at Cedar Rapids Washington High School at 2205 Forest Drive SE.
Openings are known for: Tuba, Percussion
Other instrument openings are possible. Substitute musician opportunities are possible on ALL concert instruments, especially Bassoon, so we encourage qualified musicians to audition.
A typical concert week consists of a Monday evening rehearsal (7:20-9:45 PM) and concerts on Wednesday and Sunday evenings (7:30-8:30 PM). Band members are expected to commit to at least five weeks per summer. Substitute musicians are hired on a full-week basis. All musicians are paid.
We encourage all qualified musicians to apply. Visit tinyurl.com/CRMB-Auditions or scan the QR code to submit an audition request. You will be asked to indicate all of the following:
The name of the person auditioning
The musician’s e-mail address
The musician’s phone number
The instrument(s) the musician will play
Desired date(s) for audition
In addition, a musical resume should be attached as a PDF to the audition request form or presented in person on the day of auditions. If you have conflicts with both audition dates but would still like to audition for the band, please indicate that on the request form.
Audition times will be assigned and communicated with applicants by Monday, March 18.
Audition Dates and Times:
Friday, March 22 beginning at 6:00 PM
Saturday, March 23 beginning at 1:30 PM
Musicians will be evaluated primarily on sight-reading ability, but all are welcome to play an excerpt of one’s own choice (not to exceed 60 seconds) to warm up and get comfortable. The passage may be from a solo, etude, or piece of band music.
More information about the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band and the 2024 concert schedule can be found at crmuniband.org.
Registration for the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band Young Artist Competition 2024 is now open!
The competition is open to any woodwind, brass, or percussion student in grades 9 through 12 who lives in Linn County or participates in a school band program in Linn County. Auditions will take place at Cedar Rapids Washington High School on Wednesday, April 17 (conveniently timed after IHSMA Solo/Small Ensemble Festival), between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Applicants should prepare a solo or solo excerpt approximately 5-6 minutes in length. Use of an accompanist is highly recommended but not required. Audition pieces do not need to have a published band accompaniment.
The winning student will be selected by a large panel including local music professionals, CRMB members, and CRMB commission members. The winner of the competition will be the featured guest soloist during one week of the summer season and receive a $650 cash award. Please note that runners-up may be named and have an opportunity to receive a cash prize ($250) and perform with the band, as well.
CRMB conductor Steve Shanley will consult with the winning student to select an appropriate piece with band accompaniment, or will arrange a band accompaniment for his or her solo.
The City Band Commission will meet at 7 PM on Sunday, 28 January 2024, in the conference room on the first floor of Marquis Hall on the Coe College campus.
Agenda includes:
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Financial Reports
Explanation of reporting changes as necessary
FY24 to date
FY25 overview
Committee Reports
Community Engagement
Compensation Committee
Audition Committee
Assets Committee
Old Business
Equipment Upgrades
Staircase for bandshell
Inventory
Friends of Band non-profit
New Business
CRMB performance at 2024 Iowa Bandmasters Association meeting
Correspondence from City
Public Comment
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the Municipal Band Business Manager at 319-431-9649 or email business AT crmuniband.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event.
The City Band Commission will meet at 7 PM on Sunday, 12 November 2023, in the conference room on the first floor of Marquis Hall on the Coe College campus.
Agenda includes:
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
Minutes of Previous Meeting
Financial Reports
FY24 to date
FY23 overview
Committee Reports
Community Engagement
Compensation Committee
Audition Committee
Assets Committee
Old Business
Equipment Upgrades
Inventory
Friends of Band non-profit
New Business
Public Comment
Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a City program, service, or activity, should contact the Municipal Band Business Manager at 319-431-9649 or email business AT crmuniband.org as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the event.
This is the final week of the 2023 Municipal Band season–and we’re going out with bagpipes! Glenn Chatfield will perform the first bagpipes solos in Muni Band history. Plus, everyone should bring their favorite stuffed animals for a parade during “Teddy Bears’ Picnic.”
Music starts at 7:30 on August 2 in Noelridge Park and August 6 in Bever Park. You can also catch both concerts live on Facebook.
PROGRAM
Circus Days (Frank Piersol) Danzon No. 2 (Arturo Marquez, arr. Oliver Nickel) Scotland the Brave (arr. Steve Shanley), Glenn Chatfield, Bagpipes Annie (arr. Michael Kamuf)
Scaramouche, Mvts. 2 & 3 (Darius Milhaud, arr. Andreas van Zoelen) Charlotte Ottemoeller, Alto Saxophone, Young Artist Runner Up
Teddy Bears’ Picnic (John Bratton, arr. Paul Yoder) Amazing Grace (arr. Steve Shanley), Glenn Chatfield, Bagpipes Can-Can You Name These Tunes? (arr. Jerry Williams) Go Galop (Henry Fillmore, arranged by Nicholas Contorno)
Dan Terrell takes to the podium this week to lead the band in a “Christmas in July” program!
Join us Wednesday, July 26, at LINN-MAR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM and Sunday, July 30, at McGrath Amphitheatre. Music starts at 7:30 pm and the performances will be livestreamed on the band’s Facebook page.
The forecast says it will be hot, but we’ll keep things cool with holiday favorites.
Program: Most Wonderful Time of the Year(arr. John Moss) Minor Alterations (David Lovrien) WEDNESDAY:Dormez Vous? Not You! (Steve Shanley) Marion Spolaore, soprano saxophone soloist SUNDAY: Sleigh Ride(Leroy Anderson) Russian Christmas Music(Alfred Reed) Patapan(Shelley Hanson) Frozen 2 (arr. Michael Brown) Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol (Percy Grainger/arr. Goldman) Selections from Home Alone (John Williams/arr. Lavender) Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company March(John Philip Sousa)
This week, we’ll feature two members of the band–Chris Hass on trumpet and Sara Danielson on piccolo–as well as Young Artist Contest runnerup Christian Maakestad on xylophone. The program also includes favorites from the musicial Wicked and the instantly recognizable music from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Sara Danielson will be featured this week on piccolo on Le Merle Blanc. We’re also confident she’s looking forward to playing music from Raiders of the Lost Ark because John Williams always provides fun piccolo parts.
Program:
Montmartre March (Haydn Wood) Stars in a Velvety Sky (Herbert Clarke) Chris Haas, Trumpet Highlights from “Wicked” (arr. Michael Brown) Slavonic Dance No. 1 (Antonin Dvorak, arr. Theodore Tobani) Le Merle Blanc (Eugene Damare) Sara Danielson, Piccolo “Raiders of the Lost Ark” Medley (John Williams, arranged by Jack Bullock) March Of The Belgian Paratroopers (Pierre Leemans, arr. Charles, Wiley) Helter Skelter (W. Lemon, arr. Ray Woodfield) Christian Maakestad, Xylophone, Young Artist Runner Up In Storm and Sunshine (John C. Heed)
