GREENVILLE – The Greenville Municipal Band returned to the Marling Band Shell on June 29th in the Greenville City Park for its first concert of the summer season.
“It’s a long-standing tradition,” said Associate Director Doug Albright. “The band shell was rebuilt a few years ago, but there has been a band shell here since the early 30s, and before that, they played downtown.”
Band concerts in the park have a long tradition dating back to 1883 and are rooted in an earlier band from the 1870s, known as the Silver Cornet Band. Before the 1934 completion of the Marling Band Shell, the band played Thursday evening concerts in front of the Darke County Courthouse or the old City Building, located on what is now the traffic circle.
“We’ve been coming to this concert every Sunday evening since we have lived here,” said Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker. “It’s a great thing for the community. A lot of the nearby communities come out here on Sunday evening and make an evening of it.”
Associate conductor Doug Albright directed the Sunday night concert in the park. Director JR Price will return to direct the Celebration of Independence Concert on July 6th.
“This is the nicest setting around for people to come and spend a Sunday night listening to music,” Albright stated.
Concerts start at 7 p.m. and are always free. Seating is available on benches in front of the band shell, or concert goers may bring lawn chairs.
Calendar of Concerts
July 6 | A Celebration of Independence
July 13 | Greenville Municipal Concert Band
July 20 | Greenville Municipal Jazz Band
August 3 | Greenville Municipal Concert Band
August 10 | Greenville Municipal Concert Band
August 31 | The Grand Finale
