This news will be sweet music to the ears to many people in the community. The conductor’s baton is about to come down with the start of a new DeKalb County Community Band.
Smithville native Caleb Rowland, a 2017 graduate of D.C.H.S. says the idea has been kicked out in band alumni circles for quite some time.
“Early this year I decided to act and see if we could actually get something started here in DeKalb County,” said Rowland, who will conduct the band. “So I sent a message to Kelly Jo Birmingham who was the longtime Assistant Director of Bands at DCHS to see what she thought, and from there Kelly Jo & I have been working to get this thing going.”
“When Caleb and I first started talking about starting a community band in DeKalb County, we bounced ideas off each other,” Birmingham adds. “We discussed long-terms visions we both shared for the ensemble, as well as possible challenges we might face in the beginning stages.
I have been blessed to work with many talented students in the band program throughout the years, and Caleb Rowland stands out as being one of the best,” Birmingham, who will assist with the DeKalb Community Band said. “I could ramble on and on about his outstanding musicianship and leadership abilities. However, I would just point out that he is making a difference! As a result of his efforts, a community band IS becoming a reality in DeKalb County and I am beyond excited to be a part of it!”
Rowland was on the staff for the DeKalb County Band for 2 seasons, and he is starting his 4th season with the Macon County Band. He is working on his Baccalaureate degree in Instrumental Music Education at UT-Chattanooga, where he also serves as Assistant to the Director of Bands.
“I think that DeKalb County has such a rich history of having a great band program, and also just the sheer amount of musicians and artists that reside in the county, that it would be something that the community would really enjoy. There are several community bands in our area like in Cookeville, Crossville, McMinnville and Carthage, so why can't Smithville have one?”
Anyone who can play an instrument is invited to join. Living in the county is not a prerequisite. The band is especially in need of more clarinet and low brass (Trombone, Baritone & Tuba) players.
Rehearsals will be every Thursday night from 7 until 9 o’clock in the band hall of the DeKalb County High School starting on May 26. The band may play any style of music from patriotic tunes to movie or pop music, music from Broadway. It will depend on the theme of the concert. Rowland says they hope to give two concerts this summer.
To join the DeKalb Community Band, contact Caleb Rowland at this email, csj966@mocs.utc.edu, or you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/5BusZHUgzJ4b2eXq6
