Community Band Proud of Success

Musicians to play Boone rag tonight.

By Claire Grant of the Tribune's staff

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     Many people have played an instrument at some time in their lives.  Whether it be piano lessons in kindergarten or tuba in the high school marching band, music influences many in their childhood.

     However, it is rare to meet a person who never really graduated from the high school band - and they kept playing into retirement.

     The Columbia Community Band is 21 years old, and its members range in age from their early 20's to their 80's.  Director Keith House has conducted the group for 10 years and said he is proud of its accomplishments.  Likewise, many members say the reason the group is successful is because of House's direction.

     Bill Kennedy has played the clarinet for 40 years.  By day, he works as a medical physicist.

     "For me, it's been the horn," Kennedy said.  "I got addicted to it by Mr. Patterson.  I wanted to play the sax, be he wouldn't let me."

     Kennedy was referring to John Patterson, his old high school band director and current assistant director of the community band.

     Flutist Kris Stewart was also a student of Patterson's. Only, she joked, she had him in elementary school after Kennedy had already moved on to college.  Stewart is a seasoned flute player of 32 years.

     For Stewart, the joy of playing the flute also has helped bring calm to her life.  During the day, Stewart works as a medical technologist.

     "The flute is so different from my profession," Stewart said.  "It lifts your spirits - it is a stress relief."

    The pieces the band plays range from big band to classical.  For its concert tonight at the Missouri Theater, one band member has arranged a J. W. "Blind" Boone piano rag for the entire band.

     John Cheetham, a retired professor of music at the University of Missouri - Columbia and a longtime euphonium player, said he has been with the band for six or seven years.  Recently, fellow band members asked him to prepare a particular Boone piece for the spring concert.  Today will be the debut performance of Cheetham's arrangement.

     He said the composition is important because of its historical ties to Columbia.

     "This rag that Blind Boone wrote is 1909 was published by Allen Music on East Broadway," Cheetham said.

     Saxophone player and Columbia Fire Department Chief Bill Markgraf has played the horn for about 60 years.  For him, the best part of playing with the band is the high caliber of directors and musicians.

     "I know it sounds like we're bragging, but we are," Markgraf said.  "We are a great band."