WCHS band preparing for upcoming concerts
Randy Claes directs the Wayne County Historical Society Summer Community Band in preparation for its July 14 and 20 concerts.
The Wayne County Historical Society Summer Community Band is looking forward to its concerts this summer. The band will perform for the 11th year under the baton of director Randy Claes. The band has grown considerably since Claes began directing with over 60 current members.
On Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m., the band will perform in downtown Wooster on North Market Street, facing the northeast quad, weather permitting. Spectators will need to bring their own lawn chairs. If weather is inclement, the concert will be in St. Mary Church gymnasium. Presented by Main Street Wooster, the concert is sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society and Sprenger Health Care Systems, along with a friend of the Historical Society who wishes to remain anonymous and who is sponsoring the band for the 12th year.
A second concert is planned for Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the Sonnenberg Village, 13497 Hackett Road, Apple Creek. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be in the meeting house on the village campus. This concert is sponsored by Sonnenberg Village.
The band will play marches, show tunes, patriotic songs and more in an effort to remind people of the bands many communities had back a century or so ago. The Wooster Board of Trade Band with its concerts in the old bandstand in front of the former Annats store — now E&H Hardware — was an example of this type of band.
The band is open to anybody who plays a band instrument including percussion, young or not so young, experienced or not so experienced. Members range in age from 12-83. Several members of the band have college degrees in music, and several more played in a college-level band while they were in college.
The band appreciates the cooperation of Wooster High School and The Connection (West View Manor) for the practice facilities. Also appreciated is St. Mary Catholic Church for the use of its school gymnasium if needed. McIntire, Bradham, & Sleek Funeral Home lends the chairs for the band, and Jim’s Auto furnishes the vehicle to haul them.
For more information call band co-manager Jerry Payn at 330-345-5547 or email gmpayn@sssnet.com.