Sterling Municipal Band
Music Under the Stars
The Sterling Municipal Band would like to invite the entire community to the 2023 Music Under the Stars summer concert series. These free performances will be every Wednesday night from May 31 through August 3 in the beautiful family-friendly environment of Grandon Civic Center in downtown Sterling. Each concert will begin at 7:30 pm with a pre-concert performance by talented local musical groups beginning at 6:15 pm. Seating is available on the park benches but you may bring your own chairs/blankets to sit on the lawn area of the park. Please free to bring your own snacks or purchase refreshments at the gazebo. For more information and up-to-date schedules please visit Sterling Municipal’s Band website.
2023 Municipal Band Concert Dates
- May 31 Opening Concert / Pre-Show - Spontaneous Combustion
- June 7 Themed Concert – The Classics / Pre-Show - Baja
- June 14 Scott Stich Guest Conductor / Pre-Show - Who Drank All The Tequila
- June 21 Dr. Rodney Schueller Guest Conductor / Pre-Show – Woodlawn Arts Academy Highlights from Disney’s Little Mermaid Junior, & Mystery Island
- June 24 Saturday Night Concert Josh Duffee Orchestra
- June 28 Corynn Latta vocal soloist / Pre-Show – The Robbie LeBlanc Show
- July 5 4th of July Celebration Featuring the Chicago Mercantile Battery during The 1812 Overture
Pre-Show – Trruman’s Ridge - July 12 Kidz Koncert / Pre-Show - Centennial Auditorium’s Highlights from Beauty & the Beast
- July 15 Saturday Night Concert The Big River Brass Band
- July 19 Theme Concert – Rock n Roll / Pre-Show – Hitz City
- July 26 Randall Standridge Guest Conductor / Pre-Show – Mariachi Comprianos
- August 2 Season Finale / Pre-Show – String-Alongs
Pre-Concert entertainment begins at 6:15 p.m. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Come early and enjoy concessions from the food court provided by area non-profits. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or a blanket. All ages are welcome for these FREE community performances.
History of the Sterling Municipal Band
When the citizens of Sterling voted for a municipal band tax in 1928, our musical ensemble officially became the Sterling Municipal Band. The first band board composed of the late John Wagner, Harold Ward, and Lester Hendricks engaged Jake Hitzelberger as their first conductor. Down the line, J.J. Richards gave D.W. Grandon the suggestion that a band could never be made outstanding in Sterling until there was a fit place in which it might play. As a result, Mr. Grandon erected the Grandon Civic Center which has served as an inspiration to all local musicians. Mr. Richards started hundreds of younger musicians on the right path, and the splendid foundation has given these boys and girls by past Sterling band conductors and instructors like Gunnar Benson, C.C. Myers, and Kenneth Baily served as a wonderful incentive to the musical growth of our community.
Municipal Band Vision Statement
The Sterling Municipal Band will be a principal leader of the arts in the Sauk Valley Area and, through its performances and events, strengthen our community by advancing musicianship and music appreciation.
Municipal Band Mission Statement
The Sterling Municipal Band’s mission is deeply rooted in the concept of community and in encouraging involvement in music for people at all stages of life.
This mission incorporates six objectives:
- to make a substantial contribution to musical life in the Sauk Valley Area.
- to give our audiences memorable performance experiences with the highest quality wind music in a wide range of musical styles.
- to foster and promote wind band music and the community band concept while reaffirming the heritage of bands in America.
- to assist in the music education of young people.
- to provide our members with an opportunity for musical expression, growth, and fellowship.
- to encourage appreciation for all forms of art.
Contact Us
Band Commission
Band Administrative Staff
Sterling Municipal Band Facebook page