The Loveland Municipal Band began in 1977, when a group of adults decided that they wanted to use their musical skills to perform in an ensemble. Now, director Scott Schlup leads a similar group of more than 200 volunteer musicians, with 60 or more joining together for each show.
The group has lasted so long not because of the amazing quality of the music — many of the musicians play at a high school level, and Schlup serves as band director for Rocky Mountain High School — but because of the dedication and spirit of the members in the group.
“The whole concept really is that it’s a group for adults that enjoy playing music that live in the general area that just want to get together and perform concert band pieces. The band has been around since the fall of 1977, and we still have a handful, maybe five or six original founding members still playing in the band,” flutist Kathryn Denton said.
In the late ’80s, the name was changed to the Loveland Concert Band.
This fall show takes on an unconventional theme of “anniversaries,” celebrating musicians and pieces that are celebrating a significant anniversary this year rather than a particular style or subject matter. This enables the band to take on a more diverse range of music even just within this show, highlighting classic works by Strauss (on the 70th anniversary of his death) and von Suppé (on the 200th anniversary of his birth) as well as the hits of Glenn Miller (on the 75th anniversary of his disappearance during World War II.)
Denton said, “It’s definitely not a snooty experience. We try to do a mix of some stuff that people have heard before, but then also things that might be different or new, or pieces that are transcribed for orchestras that you may have never heard a concert band play before.”
Not only is the concert band designed to appeal to all audiences, it also opens itself to all interested members. Anyone who can play an instrument is welcome to join and play, provided they can attend four rehearsals prior to their first show. This has allowed the group to grow and remain relevant through the years, performing conventional concerts during their regular season and taking to the park during the summer.
They also make it a point to give back to the community, asking band directors at local high schools to select one of their students for the organization’s $600 Findling-Gleichmann-Smith scholarship.
“So I think some of it is just that open inclusiveness, that if you’re an adult who plays an instrument you can join,” Denton said.
If you’re interested in hearing some wonderful music, or learning more about this community organization, don’t miss their fall concert this Sunday at Mountain View High School.
If you go
What: Loveland Concert Band’s Fall Concert: Anniversaries
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.
Where: Mountain View High School, 3500 Mountain Lion Drive, Loveland.
Cost: Free admission, donations accepted
More Info: lovelandconcertband.org