RAPID CITY, SD—The 107th season of the Rapid City Municipal Band has two performances remaining on the summer concert schedule. The Band, which dates back to the days of President Woodrow Wilson, will perform the next two Wednesdays at 8 p.m. at the Memorial Park Bandshell.
What started with a rehearsal in June 1918, the Rapid City Municipal Band and its local performers have provided free music for Rapid City citizens and visitors. The group has played at over a dozen locations throughout Rapid City, many were concerts in city parks and some spots were transformed to parking lots or businesses.
The Municipal Band is sponsored by the City of Rapid City and the group has performed the past several years under the direction of co-directors Mark Bray, Don Downs and Bill Evans. This summer’s performance schedule includes nine concerts.
“We’ve had another season of providing great and free entertainment in Memorial Park,” said co-directors Mark Bray, Don Downs and Bill Evans. “Each summer, we are pleased to continue the wishes of the Rapid City founding fathers in playing an integral part in promoting community pride.”
Some of the musicians in the Rapid City Municipal Band have been performing with the group since the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The public is welcome to attend the weekly concerts and are advised to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the events. For more information about The Rapid City Municipal Band, visit https://rapidcitymunicipalband.org .
Interesting historical facts about the Rapid City Municipal Band:
•Originally known as the Rapid City Military Band
•The first rehearsal was held June 23, 1918
•The Municipal Band performances were held at Spayde’s Park (1918), the bandstand at 7th & St. Joe (1918-1928), Rapid City High School, Halley Park, Canyon Lake Park, Wilson Park (1972), Sioux Park and Roosevelt Park, Canyon Lake and Roosevelt Parks, Canyon Lake Park and Memorial Park
•The first director was R.C. Hurlbut (1918-19). The longest-serving directors were Jack Knowles (1971-2006) and Milo Winter (1971-2011)
•Current and former directors since 2007: Mark Bray, Don Downs, Bill Evans and Gary Hansen
•On the Fourth of July, 1918, the band played its first concert at Spayde’s Park ‘for one of the biggest barbecues and patriotic rallies ever staged in Rapid City’;
•In 1919, the Band’s board of directors voted to exclude women, although men and women were being asked to vote on a tax to support the band.
•In 1918, Rapid City citizens voted almost three to one to support the Rapid City Band with a tax levy
• Women were finally extended an invitation to join the band in 1945;
