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News for June 2025
Westerville Parks & Rec Sounds of Summer
A Reschedule Needed
Westerville Jazz Orchestra Summer Tour Continues
Central Ohio Community Band Festival Recap
What is better than a Summer Band Concert?
The Westerville Concert Band and the Westerville Jazz Orchestra will play together on July 6 for a celebration of American Music. American patriotic music and America's Classical Music are on tap. The Westerville Sounds of Summer series is presented by Westerville Parks and Recreation Department. This twilight show at 6:30pm will feature the Concert Band first, and the Jazz Orchestra will follow. Bring your chairs, blankets, snacks and beverages for an All-American evening. We are all excited for this show, and can't wait to see you!
WJO Concert Rescheduled
We were all disappointed that the June 22 WJO Sounds of Summer concert had to be postponed. The weather forecast was accurate: Africa hot and sunny. That day it was a humid 95 degrees. There was no good reason to put our band members nor our audience at risk of the rough weather that Westerville experienced. So the terrific show that was programmed for that date will now be performed on July 27! Bring chairs and blankets. beverages and snacks and get ready for a swinging review of American Classics from the Stage, and Screens (big and small). Dawn Eller will be singing, and the WJO will be swinging! Don't miss this date!
WJO Summer Tour Continues
In addition to the Parks and Recreation Sounds of Summer, the WJO will be heating it up with these dates...
June 29 Freedom Celebration Central College Presbyterian Church 8pm with Fireworks following. FREE
July 27 "Swingin' on the Stage & Screen" 6:30 PM @ the Alum Creek Amphitheater
August 2 Central Ohio Big Band Bash at Valley Dale Ballroom 12 Big Bands in all!
August 24 St Paul Lutheran Church Westerville, lawn concert 7pm FREE
Band Festival was a Rousing Success
The 2025 Central Ohio Community Band Festival was a terrific success. Nine exciting bands performed during the day and evening, and the conclusion featuring the 338th Army Band was the perfect capstone for the day.
The weather was perfect and the food trucks provided great refreshments for all. Each of the bands enjoyed the day and committed to the 2026 Central Ohio Community Band Festival: 250 Edition.
As 2026 will also be the American Celebration of the Semi Quincentennial, a band festival is the best way to kick off the summer concert season.
Mark your calendar for June 6, 2026. This will surely be a Star Spangled time.
Some pictures from this year's festival.
Save the Date!
June 6, 2026
April/May 2025
April/May 2025
May is an exciting time for the Westerville Community Bands groups. The Westerville Concert Band has two concert performances, and the May 4 concert will include the 2025 Scholarship awards. The Westerville Jazz Orchestra is hosting its Spring concert in a new home! Additionally preparations are underway for a long list of Summer events. Read on for more details!
Great Stories in Music
Great Stories in Music
Join us on May 4, 2025 in the auditorium of Westerville Central HS as the Westerville Concert Band presents its Spring Concert "Music that Tells a Story".
Artistic Director Larry Klabunde says that the eight musical numbers the band will present are each “taking the listener on a musical journey, bringing a story to life.”
There will be not one, but TWO surprise compositions from a local composers within the band. Don’t miss this special treat! All part of the story to be told...
Additionally, four Westerville high school Seniors will be presented their music scholarships as they head to collegiate life next year. See the article below for more information. These scholarships are made possibly by gifts and grants from our community.
This concert is presented at 3:00pm, and is FREE to the public.
Scholarship Winners Announced
Scholarship Winners Announced
Join the Westerville Community Bands as we honor four outstanding Westerville high school band students who have been selected to receive collegiate music scholarships. These talented young musicians will be recognized during our concert on Saturday, May 4—don’t miss this special moment!
We’re proud to award the Richard Suddendorf Scholarship to a student planning to pursue a degree in music education with the goal of becoming a school band director. This scholarship was established by Richard Suddendorf, former director of the Westerville Concert Band, to support the next generation of music educators.
In addition, we’ll be awarding three "Music for Life" Scholarships to students who will continue to make music a meaningful part of their college experience—even if they’re not majoring in music. These awards reflect our belief that music is a lifelong passion, not just a career path.
These scholarships are made possible by you—our generous community—through donations collected at our concerts and via our online giving platform. Every gift helps us invest in the future of music.
Learn more or contribute at www.westervillebands.org. Thank you for your continued support!
New Show... New Home... Join us!
New Show... New Home... Join us!
Pack Your Bags for a Swingin’ Night on the Town!
Pack Your Bags for a Swingin’ Night on the Town!
The Westerville Jazz Orchestra is thrilled to invite you to our Spring Concert on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 PM—right in our new jazz home at the American Legion Hall, 393 East College Avenue in Westerville!
Get ready for “A Night on the Town”, a high-energy jazz cabaret that takes you on a musical journey through America’s most iconic cities. From the streets of Harlem to the glitz of Hollywood, from Kansas City’s smoky clubs to the bright lights of Broadway—we’ll tour them all with big band flair and cabaret style.
Featuring the full WJO and vocalist Dawn Eller, this show includes exciting new tunes in our repertoire—jazz favorites that capture the soul of each city, all tied together with a little Route 66 magic.
We’re especially excited to welcome you to our new venue: plenty of parking, a great-sounding room, and cabaret-style seating so you can bring your own snacks and beverages for a relaxed, club-like experience.
And your tour guide for the evening? None other than Randy Snyder!
So grab your snacks, bring your friends, and join us for a toe-tapping, city-hopping night of jazz.
Learn more at www.westervillejazz.org
Don't miss the Central Ohio Community Band Festival!
Don't miss the Central Ohio Community Band Festival!
Upcoming Shows
May 4 Westerville Concert Band Spring Concert "Great Stories Told in Music" 3pm
May 6 Westerville Concert Band with Westerville Central HS Bands 730pm
May 9 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Concert Series 730pm American Legion Hall
June 7 Central Ohio Community Bands Festival Alum Creek Amphitheater
June 22 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
July 6 Westerville Concert Band with Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
July 27 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
August 2 Valley Dale Central Ohio Big Band Bash with Westerville Jazz Orchestra
August 3 Westerville Concert Band Alum Creek Amphitheater
August 17 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
Support Your Westerville Community Bands
Please consider making a gift to support the Westerville Concert Band and Westerville Jazz Orchestra. Your contributions help us:
Provide free concerts year-round
Rent rehearsal and performance spaces
Offer educational opportunities and scholarships
If you have Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) funds or would simply like to support the arts, please consider a donation to help us continue enriching our community.
All of our bands present FREE concerts all over the Westerville Community.
News for March 2025
News for March 2025
In this Newletter:
WJO and All Star Show and BV Night of Jazz
Westerville Community Bands Scholarships
Help Spread the Word!
Summer Schedule of Shows
Central Ohio Community Band Festival
Pictures Galore!
Westerville Jazz Shows
A cool night of hot jazz unfolded on March 15 when the Westerville Jazz Orchestra (WJO) hosted the Westerville All-Star High School Jazz Band and guest artist Rob Parton.
Mr. Parton, a University of North Texas faculty standout, spent two days coaching the All-Stars, focusing on improvisation. The weekend culminated in a performance where at least 15 students took the leap into improvising solos—many for the first time. “How exciting that they can now take this skill back to their own bands,” Parton remarked. Saturday’s concert opened with the All-Stars' outstanding set, followed by the WJO, with Mr. Parton as the featured soloist on every piece—another invaluable learning opportunity for the students. Beyond performances, the weekend emphasized education. Mr. Parton led clinics for three high school jazz bands, worked closely with the All-Stars, and delivered a stellar performance with the WJO.
The WJO also performed at the BV Night of Jazz at Buckeye Valley High School, where junior high and high school jazz students joined in. The finale featured all HS students onstage with the WJO, performing a piece by the band Chicago. BV Director Paul Brunner, a WJO trombonist, delighted his students with standout solos.
The WJO and the Westerville Community Bands remain committed to supporting music education through performances, scholarships, and mentorship. Your generous support helps sustain these efforts.
WCB Supports Music Education!
The Westerville Community Bands (WCB) proudly support young musicians through scholarships and competitions. This year, we will award the Richard Suddendorf Music Education Scholarship and Music4Life Scholarships to graduating seniors continuing their musical journey in college. Join us at our May 4 concert for the announcement of these winners!
Suddendorf Scholarship – For students pursuing a career in Music Education, honoring former WCB conductor Richard Suddendorf.
Music4Life Scholarship – For students continuing music performance or study in college.
These scholarships, along with our new Concerto Competition Award, reflect WCB’s dedication to music education. Funded by generous community donations, they help keep music alive for future generations.
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Summer Time....Shows Galore!
Get ready for a season full of free concerts at Alum Creek Park Amphitheater and other local venues!
Spring Concerts – One final WCB & WJO performance in May.
June 7 – WCB hosts the Central Ohio Community Band Festival.
July & August – More free concerts!
August 2 – WJO joins the Third Annual Central Ohio Big Band Bash at Valley Dale (ticketed event).
Stay tuned for more events—your support keeps the music playing!
Upcoming Shows
May 4 Westerville Concert Band Spring Concert
May 6 Westerville Concert Band with Westerville Central HS Band
May 10 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Concert Series
June 7 Central Ohio Community Bands Festival Alum Creek Amphitheater
June 22 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
July 6 Westerville Concert Band Alum Creek Amphitheater
July 27 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
August 2 Valley Dale Central Ohio Big Band Bash with Westerville Jazz Orchestra
August 3 Westerville Concert Band Alum Creek Amphitheater
August 17 Westerville Jazz Orchestra Alum Creek Amphitheater
Central Ohio Community Band Festival
The Central Ohio Community Band Festival returns to Westerville for the first time since before COVID! This exciting event features nine incredible bands for a full day of music, fun—and hopefully, sunshine!
Headliners:
338th U.S. Army Band – A premier military ensemble featuring a WCB member.
Scioto Valley Brass & Percussion Company – A British-style brass band led by Westerville native Dr. Chris Hoch (director of TBDBITL).
Also Performing:
Grove City Symphonic Winds, New Albany Community Band, Delaware Concert Band, Powell Community Band, Reynoldsburg Concert Band, Dublin Concert Band, and the Westerville Concert Band.
Stay tuned for more details. Don't miss this celebration of community music!
Support Your Westerville Community Bands
Please consider making a gift to support the Westerville Concert Band and Westerville Jazz Orchestra. Your contributions help us:
Provide free concerts year-round
Rent rehearsal and performance spaces
Offer educational opportunities and scholarships
If you have Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) funds or would simply like to support the arts, please consider a donation to help us continue enriching our community.
All of our bands present FREE concerts all over the Westerville Community.
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