Celebrate Community Spirit With The Cedar City Band Concert

The Cedar City Community Band is continuing a long-standing American tradition while preparing for a special performance this week. Director Steve Shirts recently shared details during an appearance on the Big Picture Morning Show, highlighting both the purpose of community bands and the excitement surrounding the upcoming concert on April 22.

Shirts emphasized the historical roots of community bands, noting their presence in towns dating back to pioneer days. “Community bands are an historical thing, even back in pioneer days. Every little town had their own little community band, some of them were brass bands, and it just kind of is part of the American fabric,” he said during the interview. Today, the Cedar City ensemble reflects that tradition by bringing together musicians of all ages and backgrounds. “It gives opportunity for people who are retired to be able to pick up their instrument again… So, it's a great combination of experience and youth,” Shirts explained.

The band’s upcoming concert on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. will be held at the Cedar High School Auditorium and is free to the public. The performance is part of the nationwide America 250 celebration and will feature a creative theme titled “The Great American Musical: Musicals from Z to A.” The unique program presents selections in reverse alphabetical order, an idea that came together after band members explored different ways to organize the show.

Everything From Wicked To Annie

Audience members can expect familiar favorites from productions such as Wicked, Oklahoma, Hamilton, West Side Story, The Music Man, Jersey Boys, Grease, Chicago, and Annie. Shirts noted that each selection was chosen with an American connection in mind, either through setting or composers. The concert will conclude on an optimistic note, reflecting the resilience found in both music and American history.

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With approximately 57 musicians expected to perform, the concert will run about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. As Shirts summed up the role of music in everyday life, he said, “It's just, it's a fabric of life and it's a very powerful thing as far as emotions,” a sentiment that underscores the community spirit behind this free local event.

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If you would like to listen to the entire interview with Steve Shirts, you can find it in the podcast below.