The Columbus City Band was organized, and officially chartered by the Bartholomew County Commissioners in 1847. The Band remained in continuous operation until the mid-1950's when declining membership and lack of a qualified director forced the break-up of the organization. At that time, the properties of the Band, including uniforms and music were donated to Hope High School.

In 1963, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department organized a summer band activity, which met for about six weeks each year and performed at various City Parks. This program, which was largely youth oriented, operated continuously through the summer of 1983. At that time a movement was initiated to expand the Parks Band program to a year-round activity with the emphasis on attracting adult members of the community.

The Columbus Board of Parks and Recreation agreed to sponsor the year-round band. On Monday evening, September 12th, 1983, the newly organized "Columbus City Band" held it's first rehearsal in nearly thirty years with 38 musicians in attendance. On November 11th, 1983, Mayor Nancy Ann Brown, through proclamation established the band as the official Columbus City Band. Columbus Board of Parks and Recreation continues to sponsor the Band and grants have been recently received from the Custer and Nugent Foundations. We appreciate this support.

Statement of Purpose

Membership in the Columbus City Band is open to all citizens of Columbus, Indiana, and the surrounding area who have an interest in performing military, concert, and symphonic band music of the classical and contemporary styles.

It is the Band's intent to provide the citizens of the Columbus community with an outlet for, and an atmosphere conducive to, the expression of musical talent through a full year-round concert/symphonic band program.

The Columbus City Band will strive for excellence in its quality of performance, while encouraging all who are interested to participate. Enjoyment of the musical experience is the primary goal. Auditions to join the Band are not required.

Contact director Steve McGrew for more information on joining the band or just show up for our next rehearsal on Monday night from 7-9pm at the Central Middle School band room (Pearl & 7th Streets).

Musicians

The Columbus City Band is composed of approximately 50 active musicians and has a regional composition with members coming from Indianapolis, Plainfield, Greenwood, Shelbyville, Brownstown, Nashville, and Seymour, as well as Columbus. Several members play in other community bands.

Teenagers, young adults, and senior citizens all perform in the Band. "Walks of Life" represented include engineers, small business owners, homemakers, factory workers, students, current and former public school band directors, health care professionals, lawyers, and retirees.

Musical experience of each member is varied but it will usually include high school band, some will have performed in college bands, and a few perform in various local, for-hire, groups. All Band members, with the exception of the Band director, perform without compensation.

Concerts

The Columbus City Band's concert season runs from mid-September to the following end-July and consists of approximately 10 performances. Four of these performances are sponsored and scheduled by the Band itself; the Fall Concert, Christmas Concert, Winter Concert, and Spring Concert. These concerts are usually held in the Commons Mall and are free and open to the public. The remaining concerts are usually at county fairs, graduations, and events like Popfest where we are invited to play.