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North Star Community Band reaches 20th anniversary as part of holiday festivities
By Jeffrey M. Salem
For the past 19 years, Gladstone’s Independence Day celebration has been accompanied by a familiar group of musicians.
And this Fourth of July is no different.
The North Star Community Band will celebrate its 20th anniversary as part of the city’s holiday celebration in Oak Grove Park, at Northeast 76th Street and North Troost Avenue. The band takes to the amphitheater stage at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks totaling $6,000 begin at 9:45 p.m.
Like each fireworks show over the years, the band has changed each year. It has witnessed large growth thanks to its strong community ties, said Faye Rader, the band’s director. The concert band started out with 23 members when it first formed in September of 1988. The group soon took off and has since seen its membership grow to 80 members. Band member ages range from 16 to 75. The band, which practices once a week, usually at Oak Park High School, exists off of public donations.
They play four concerts a year and have played at nursing homes and other events like the North Kansas City Winter Wonderland, to name a few. The all-volunteer group has played all but the very first production from Gladstone’s Theatre in the Park series dating to the late 1980s. Rader even started a Band Buddy Program to help area youth receive mentoring and encouragement for their craft. The community respect has helped the band continue through the years, Rader said.
“I think it’s been because we’ve been really active,” Rader said. “That’s why we’ve grown so much.”
How’s this for community respect?
On June 23, the North Star Community Band received a proclamation from Gladstone Mayor Mark Revenaugh.
“One of the jewels of the Northland for many years has been the North Star Community Band,” he said.
As for the July Fourth event in Gladstone, the band’s set list, naturally, changes a bit.
“We do a much more patriotic program, and we try to honor our veterans and those men and women still serving,” Rader said.
The band will play right up until the fireworks show is set to begin.
Sheila Lillis, director of parks and recreation, said she expected a larger crowd than the average attendance, which is usually between 12,000 and 14,000.
“I think it will be larger this year, especially with so many people taking stay-cations this year,” she said.
Parking will be available at Oak Park High School, 825 N.E. 79th Terrace in Kansas City for event attendees. Lillis encouraged everyone to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for the show. You may bring your own snacks, but concessions will be sold at the park.
Staff writer Jeffrey M. Salem can be reached at 389-6653 or jeffsalem@npgco.com.
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For the past 19 years, Gladstone’s Independence Day celebration has been accompanied by a familiar group of musicians.
And this Fourth of July is no different.
The North Star Community Band will celebrate its 20th anniversary as part of the city’s holiday celebration in Oak Grove Park, at Northeast 76th Street and North Troost Avenue. The band takes to the amphitheater stage at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks totaling $6,000 begin at 9:45 p.m.
Like each fireworks show over the years, the band has changed each year. It has witnessed large growth thanks to its strong community ties, said Faye Rader, the band’s director. The concert band started out with 23 members when it first formed in September of 1988. The group soon took off and has since seen its membership grow to 80 members. Band member ages range from 16 to 75. The band, which practices once a week, usually at Oak Park High School, exists off of public donations.
They play four concerts a year and have played at nursing homes and other events like the North Kansas City Winter Wonderland, to name a few. The all-volunteer group has played all but the very first production from Gladstone’s Theatre in the Park series dating to the late 1980s. Rader even started a Band Buddy Program to help area youth receive mentoring and encouragement for their craft. The community respect has helped the band continue through the years, Rader said.
“I think it’s been because we’ve been really active,” Rader said. “That’s why we’ve grown so much.”
How’s this for community respect?
On June 23, the North Star Community Band received a proclamation from Gladstone Mayor Mark Revenaugh.
“One of the jewels of the Northland for many years has been the North Star Community Band,” he said.
As for the July Fourth event in Gladstone, the band’s set list, naturally, changes a bit.
“We do a much more patriotic program, and we try to honor our veterans and those men and women still serving,” Rader said.
The band will play right up until the fireworks show is set to begin.
Sheila Lillis, director of parks and recreation, said she expected a larger crowd than the average attendance, which is usually between 12,000 and 14,000.
“I think it will be larger this year, especially with so many people taking stay-cations this year,” she said.
Parking will be available at Oak Park High School, 825 N.E. 79th Terrace in Kansas City for event attendees. Lillis encouraged everyone to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for the show. You may bring your own snacks, but concessions will be sold at the park.
Staff writer Jeffrey M. Salem can be reached at 389-6653 or jeffsalem@npgco.com.