Instrumental to community

Scott Vangilder's hands are seen directing Jackson Municipal Band practice Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at Jackson High School.

Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian

Cape Girardeau and Jackson Municipal Bands tune up for another season

Memories of sweaty uniforms, long bus rides and lasting friendships are typically what high school band kids take with them post-graduation.

But not for the members of the Jackson Municipal Band.

For them, a love of good music and community have transcended days of playing in the Jackson High School band, which began in 1920 under the direction of A. W. Roloff. Since then, the high school band has grown into a revolving group of musicians the community is proud to support.

John Thompson plays baritone during a Jackson Municipal Band practice at Jackson High School.

Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian

Many of them even end up becoming members of the municipal band.

That’s how father-son duo, David and John Thompson, got involved in 1974 and 1977, respectively. At 83, David is one of the municipal band’s many long-standing musicians. He plays the bass drum. His son, the baritone.

Music has always been a family affair for the Thompsons, but it’s in the municipal band where their flair for musicianship comes to life.

“I thought it was cool [to be in the municipal band], in all honesty. My brother was in it and then Dad was in it,” John says. “I grew up with it, had music going at the house constantly.”

“Some of it I wasn’t too happy with,” David says, laughing.

Members of the Jackson Municipal Band percussion section review sheet music during practice at Jackson High School.

Ben Matthews ~ Southeast Missourian

The concerts are a little more than an hour long and usually feature guest musicians. This summer’s concert series will feature names like Bruce Zimmerman, Steve Schaffner and the Whitewater Bluegrass Band.

Cape Girardeau Municipal Band

The town of “beautiful homes, parks, schools and churches” isn’t the only one with a municipal band. The bandshell at Capaha Park in Cape Girardeau also features weekly concerts by its own municipal band, led by director Ron Nall.

Nall says the band concerts feature themes, such as Broadway musicals, south of the border, jazz and swing, music of Cape Girardeau and more.

While Nall says it’s a rarity, the Cape Girardeau and Jackson municipal bands have come together “a time or two” to play for events.

“For us to get together, it has to be something pretty special,” Nall says.

Nall is entering his 26th year as the Cape Girardeau municipal band director, just the ninth director since the band’s beginning in 1900.

“For me, it’s just been a dream come true,” Nall says.

The Band Members

Jackson municipal band director Scott Vangilder says the guest musicians often attract new faces to the audience, typically comprised of families.

New faces often grace the stage, too, as the 45-member band changes from one year to the next. Some members are “die-hard” veterans, John says, while others are high school or college students who might only play with the band for one summer.

But for those who play perennially, the municipal band can be a second home. Clarinet players Susan Stroder and Leann Hendrix say they have become close through their time in the band.

Hendrix, who joined the band while still a high school student in 1986, says, “It feels like family.”

Stroder, who has been in the band for more than 20 years, replies, “It does! We’ve sat by each other through how many babies?”

Despite the many years the band has been through together, Vangilder says the members are mostly bonded through music. With new music to learn each week and just one rehearsal for each performance, the band members don’t have much time for socializing.

“I may have been in band with someone for 30 years, but I really don’t know them very well,” Hendrix says.

John Thompson says the band members take the music seriously and are dedicated to a high standard of performance.

“It’s the grind. I mean, we’re there and we work on things to get it right because none of us want to go out there and put on a poor performance,” John says. “I’m just a small component, but doggone, we sound really good.”

David Thompson adds that many of the members see themselves as professional musicians, regardless of what their career field is or was.

“Once rehearsal starts, it’s all business,” Vangilder says.

Vangilder is in his ninth season as municipal band director. During that time, John says Vangilder has revived the band through challenging the members with new music.

Aside from great music, John says he sees the concerts as a social event for the people of Jackson. Many people, he adds, are loyal and come year after year.

Nall says he thinks the Cape Municipal Band gives people of all ages — but especially the older generation — something to “own and enjoy.”

“We’re tickled to death when people come, young families and they bring their kids,” Nall says.

Whether it be in Jackson or Cape, the municipal band concerts are places where community is fostered through music and fellowship.

“Come out, bring your lawn chairs, bring a picnic basket, bring the kids, bring an extra blanket,” David says.

For its members and the people who hear it in the park, the municipal band is much more than just another activity.

“Municipal band is summer to me,” Hendrix says. “I don’t know what I would do without it.”