The Lima Area Concert Band Celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
The Lima Area Concert Band formed in 1971 to celebrate the anniversary of The Lima Mall. Bassoon player Angie Herzog told us that the band consisted of only a few players in the beginning, but it has steadily grown over the decades and now features more than 70 musicians whose passion of music and live performances make them glad to volunteer their time in the LACB. The Lima Area Concert Band performs traditional band music, marches, show tunes, pop and big band classics. The Lima Area Concert Band performs four subscription concerts at the Civic Center every year and perform a number of free concerts at festivals and parks throughout the region. To celebrate their 50th anniversary, they have an outstanding lineup including national touring guest artists Wayne Bergeron and Blue Lou Marini. OSU Marching Band arranger Jim Swearingen is composing a work for their anniversary and will be the guest conductor on May 9. On July 25 they are having a big band concert at the Stage Door Canteen which will replicate the famous dance halls sponsored by the American Theatre Wing for military personnel during World War II. The evening will feature big band/swing music, a vocalist, refreshments, decorations, a military honor guard, and history and military displays in the Lima Civic Center exhibit hall and in Town Square.
Also at Monday's meeting, Lima Memorial Health System President Mike Swick presented a $9,700 check to the Lima Rotary Foundation. This is the proceeds from the Fall Blood Clinic, which was attended by more than 500 people.
