Need something fun to do with the kiddos? Do you like music? What about free stuff? Unless you’re a stick in the mud, you answered yes to all of these questions. Then check out the Plano Community Band’s free summer concert series.
Plano Community Band was formed in 1979 by volunteers and has been performing at the City of Plano 4th of July parades, the Balloon Festival, the Dickens Christmas Tree Lighting and many other local events for more than 35 years. The band is comprised of “amateur adult musicians” who range in age from their 20s to their 80s and who just want to keep making music. The members have alternate identities as mail carriers, lawyers, teachers and even your neighbors.
Plano Community Band is a non-profit organization committed to “providing a cultural, artistic and family friendly experience to the residents of Plano and the surrounding communities without any financial obstacles to our guests,” according to Jennifer Breitzmann, Plano Community Band President.
In other words, the band members think music is awesome and that everyone should be able to enjoy it for free. It is able to achieve this by grants and donations; the City of Plano Cultural Affairs Commission, the City of Richardson Arts Commission and corporate sponsors generously keep the Plano Community Band rockin’ or jazzing or waltzing.
There’s still time to catch the free summer concert series at Haggard Park. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and coolers (alcohol prohibited) and enjoy one of five distinctly different themed concerts. Performances start at 7 p.m. at downtown Plano’s Haggard Park, against the wholesome, all-American backdrop of the bandstand and pond.
All Time Favorites and Kid’s Night Out were the themes of the first two concerts recently, but the Patriotic Pops concert coming up July 3 will honor veterans and service members with a performance of “The Armed Forces Salute.” This year you can catch the Chancel Choir from Custer Road United Methodist Church singing with the band for an unforgettable performance.
July 18’s theme is In the Good Old Summertime, which is reminiscent of what you could hear in parks across the country more than 100 years ago. The final concert August 1 is Hot Summer Jazz, featuring Dallas drummer Stockton Helbing.
Grab the family and enjoy free, quality entertainment with a Small-Town, USA feeling, all made possible by Plano Community Band.
Plano Community Band Website >
2016 Summer Concert Series Schedule:
June 6 – “All Time Favorites”
June 20 – “Kids’ Night Out”
July 3 – “Patriotic Pops”
July 18 – “In the Good Old Summertime”
August 1 – “Hot Summer Jazz”