Play on!: Free big band concerts set

By Don Murtha

Music lovers – especially those who enjoy big bands – should mark their calendar for Saturday, April 21 when music will fill the as the Marion County Citizens Band hosts the third annual Mid-Valley Community Band Festival.

Joining the Marion County Citizens Band will be community bands from Keizer, Clackamas, Beaverton and Portland. The day’s concert programs are free and open to the public from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Silverton High School, 1456 Pine St.

Each band will play a 30-minute program of such marches, show tunes, folk, waltzes, dance and classical music.

“These bands are made of great groups of musicians who delight in community bands,” said Dale Stroufe, director of the Marion County Citizens Band. “In the Marion County Citizens Band, we have members from as far away as Forest Grove, Beaverton, Canby and Charbonneau. We don’t audition, but we do play some serious, challenging and enjoyable music. It is really great to get together with others and share our music and we always welcome new players.”

Twins Les and Leo Seifer have been with the Marion County Citizens Band for 36 years.

“Our uncle and father who were members of the original band encouraged us to join the band when we were 14 years old,” Les said. “Now three of our children are carrying on the family tradition.”

Les said the band festival helps develop the skills of the band.

“We play more difficult music and it challenges our performance,” Les said.

Although its roots date to the early 1930s, the Marion County Citizens Band was formed officially in 1954 when cornet player Olfan DeGuire organized a group of some 30 musicians to play at the Silverton Centennial celebration.

The name was chosen because members were “citizens” of surrounding towns, including Mount Angel, Silverton, Woodburn and Salem. The following year Charles Yuki, who was a prominent Southern California musician who had moved to Salem, became director. Subsequently, those filling the role of director have been Edwin Eyman of Canby, Glen Slentz of Scotts Mills, Jay Steel and Paul Clute of Silverton.

The band performs at the Mount Angel Oktoberfest, the St. Paul Fourth of July parade, the Mount Angel Fourth of July Fireworks, The Mount Angel Memorial Day ceremonies, the Hubbard Hop Festival and several retirement facilities.