Who We Are

 

            During the summer months in Central New York, there is little classical or light music available in area villages.  The Ilion Civic Band has been successful in filling the gap by bringing free summer band concerts, at a near professional level, to the people of the Central Mohawk Valley for more than 30 years. 

            Thanks to the Village of Ilion, the Ilion Civic Band is able to present a series of outdoor concerts throughout the Village of Ilion during the months of July and August.  These free concerts combine musicians of professional caliber with gifted amateur adults as well as talented college and high school players.  The goal of the Ilion Civic Band is to bring an evening’s entertainment of good music to the public in the form of these weekly summer concerts.  From our observations, the Ilion Civic Band attracts an audience made up of all socio-economic levels of Valley society. We have in our audiences everyone from babies in strollers through teenagers on bicycles to retired people.

            Each Monday night, starting in early June, the band rehearses.  Each Thursday evening, beginning in late June, in venues as varied as the Ilion Gazebo, The Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, London Towers or the Ilion Marina, the band performs its weekly concert.  Each week’s concert contains different music. This music includes classical composers such as Brahms, Mozart, Sousa, as well as contemporary composers like Leroy Anderson and Henry Mancini.  Each piece is introduced by a short, spoken prologue, giving the audience some background on the music.

            The Ilion Civic Band's primary purpose is to bring people of all ages together on a summer evening to enjoy each other's company and to enjoy good music in a pleasant outdoor setting.

            The band itself is open to a variety of talented musicians from the Central Mohawk Valley and is presently composed of members from many area towns and villages.  Among them are teachers, elected officials, students, and retirees. They range in age from 16 to 80.  They are community members known for their interest and ability.  . 

The Ilion Civic Band represents a variety of talented musicians from the Central Mohawk Valley and is presently composed of approximately 55-60 members from area towns and villages. 

            Come join the Ilion Civic Band at one of these concerts.

 

 

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