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June 17, 2009

Band leader amazed by growth this year

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — A love of music has brought people from throughout southern Oklahoma together.

In 1976, the Chisholm Trail Municipal Band was founded as a way to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States.

Now, more than 30 years later, the band continues to perform its free concerts several times during the summer. Tonight at 8 p.m., is the next band concert in Fuqua Park with the gazebo serving as the band’s stage.

Jeramy Haas, band director, said, “It’s been a lot of fun. It’s a completely different experience.”

Featuring musicians from 12-years-old to a woman in her mid-80s, the community band offers something for every one.

“When you have a mixture of students and adults, it gives a different feel,” Haas said.

Many of the participants are from Duncan, and still others travel from Marlow, Empire, Bray and Lawton.

Along with the variety of ages and background, Haas said he is amazed by the number of people who have practiced with the band this year. Usually, the band has 45 to 50 participants. This year, however, more than 75 people have been showing up to the rehearsals.

“This year is the largest group we’ve had since I’ve been involved,” Haas said. “To have 75 people, that’s amazing.”

He said some people have been involved in the band every year since its inception. Haas joined the band seven years ago and is in his third year directing.

Haas, who also directs the Duncan High School Band, said directing the bands may have some similarities, but they bands have a multitude of differences.

For one thing, the DHS Band can take its time to learn a variety of songs. The municipal band has everyone working to learn music quickly for each performance, but the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed.

“It’s a lot looser,” Haas said. “We play a lot more music in a short amount of time.

The band practices Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Duncan High School band room. The final performance of the season will be at 8 p.m. July 2.

The original plan was to have a band concert on July 4. Although a discussion had been conducted during the planning stages, the band hadn’t come together for the season and no commitments could be made.

“We decided to do the concert on July 2,” Haas said.

He said the experience with the band has been enjoyable. It has provided a way for the community to unite.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Haas said. “We try to make it more entertaining. There’s more pop music, familiar melodies.”

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