The Cereal City Concert Band is a small all-volunteer, non-profit organization which consists of approximately 35-45 members, ranging from the ages of 16 to 85. The ensemble is comprised of musicians from the Battle Creek community and its surrounding areas. The origin of this group was derived from a government agency Quality Circles Change Initiative, recommending that a Federal Center band be organized to play for internal Federal Center functions. The group was started in December 1987 by fourteen employees from various government agencies within the Battle Creed Federal Center, playing simple Christmas Carols at lunchtime. The band grew and became known as Uncle Sam’s Band. The original band played some 26 engagements their first year together, including Charge of Command ceremonies, Retirements, Picnics, and Lunchtime Concerts for special occasions such as Veteran's Day. They also collaborated with the local Toastmasters Club, providing special performances for the Battle Creek Public School System elementary schools.
After four years, in July 1992, the agency commanders determined that they could no longer support Uncle Sam's Band, so the band reorganized as a 501(c)3 tax exempt (non-profit) organization, complete with a board of directors and band by-laws, and changed its name to the Battle Creek Band Company, focusing on Battle Creek community service events. In January 1998, the band reorganized again, calling itself the Cereal City Winds, eventually changing the name to the present Cereal City Concert Band (CCCB).
Over the years, the leadership of the band changed as well. It was originally directed by Paul Reid, followed by Dick Day, Gretchen Struble and Jennifer Culler. In late 2006, the band found itself without a conductor and was forced to consider the dissolution of the band. The Board of Directors decided the band should take a hiatus before deciding its future.
In 2007, a board member approached Ed Zentera, who had recently retired as the Director of Bands at Kellogg Community College, and asked if he would consider leading the band. To the band's delight, Ed agreed. The band re-emerged in the fall of 2008 with new enthusiasm and energy. Performances for the year included a combination of both formal concerts and community service events, such as Veteran's Day, Armed Forces Day Luncheon, Memorial Day, Change of Leadership at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, A10 Farewell Celebration at the Air National Guard Base, 9/11 Memorial, and a summer concert on the lawn at Kellogg Manor at Gull Lake. Grant applications resulted in support from the Miller Foundation, Binda Foundation, and the Arts and Industry Council, as well as several business and individual sponsors.
The purpose of the Cereal City Concert Band is to provide Battle Creek and surrounding communities with quality band music/performances; to further the cultural growth of the community; to enhance the many ongoing activities in the Calhoun County area; to stimulate a continuing interest in instrumental music by offering post secondary school opportunities for its performing members; and to foster the adult band movement in the Battle Creek area.
The CCCB generally meets from September to May of each year, with rehearsals on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm. Please see our current calendar for more details on our scheduled events.
Membership is limited by instrumentation needed, and by invitation and/or audition. For more information, please visit our website at www.cerealcityconcertband.org or email us at cccb@cerealcityconcertband.org.