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Alpena City Band welcoming new members of all ages

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Above, from left, Ben Jackson, a high school junior, and Dennis Artley, who is more experienced at life, play music together last week in the Alpena City Band.

ALPENA ­– Every Thursday night in the summer, The Alpena City Band provides live entertainment at 7:30 p.m. at the bandshell at Bay View Park.

Not only do they enjoy performing and sound lovely, the band is always welcoming new members from teens to retirees, and everyone in between.

“This is our 103rd season,” said Bob Sullivan, city band manager. “The only one we’ve ever missed is 2020.”

Lisa Cook is in her eighth year directing, Sullivan said.

Gene Domrase started playing in the city band in 1964.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Ron Cady, Gene Domrase, and Dennis Artley all started in the Alpena City Band in the 1960s. They enjoy being part of a fun group and being able to use their talents to provide enrichment to the community.

“I started when I was a sophomore in high school,” said Domrase, who plays alto saxophone. “I just enjoy playing. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a good community group, I think it’s good for the community, and it’s a good way to pass time when you get older.”

He went away to college for four years and taught school for a couple of years, then rejoined the band when he came back.

“If there’s anybody else in the community that hasn’t played for awhile, come and join us,” Domrase said. “It’s not a high-stress job.”

Dennis Artley plays tuba in the city band. He joined in 1963.

“I’ve been playing all the way through,” Artley said. “I never left.”

He just loves playing music.

“Being able to play a musical instrument at whatever age you are, it’s enjoyable just to do it, and we encourage more people to do it, if they want,” Artley said. “There are so many people out there who played in high school, and then they dropped the horn. Why not come back and have a little fun?”

He said no matter which instrument you play, there’s a place for you.

“If we can, it would be nice to have another tuba player,” Artley added.

Ron Cady, a trumpet player, joined the band in 1965.

“So, the three of us are all pretty old,” Cady said with a smile. “But we were all pretty young when we started.”

“You’re only as old as you allow yourself to be,” Artley added. “If you keep busy, and stay active, you just go on forever.”

Cady also shares the love of music.

“I just enjoy playing music,” Cady said. “You get in a connection with some of the great minds of the past, composers of the past, and you bring their music to life when you play it.”

“It’s just been an enjoyable ride all these years,” Artley said.

“It’s just a lot of fun,” Cady added. “Plus you get the camaraderie of people with the same interests you have.”

“We are hoping for more members soon,” Sullivan added.

He said the band is currently at about 16, but 20 to 25 would be a good number of members.

The band will perform on a flatbed in the July 4 parade, thanks to Goodrich Trucking. They are also grateful to Alpena Community College for allowing them to use the Granum Theatre for rehearsals, Sullivan added.

“It’s just such a joy,” said Sullivan, who also plays trumpet in the band. “Every summer, we have such a great time.”

For more information, or to support or sponsor the band, contact Sullivan at 989-464-0007.

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