Oak Ridge Community Band Archives

Fireworks are July 4 in A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at 10:14 pm June 13, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display, the press release said.

“Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating,” the release said. “A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.”

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band begins summer season on Memorial Day

Posted at 11:41 pm May 24, 2019
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at the 2018 Labor Day Concert. (Photo courtesy Barbara Gritzner)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will begins its 75th season with the Memorial Day Concert on Monday, May 27. The concert is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“A special invitation is extended to area veterans and currently serving personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces to attend this concert for recognition and a salute to them for their service to our country,” a press release said.

There is no admission fee, but donations are gratefully appreciated to help offset band expenses, the press release said. You are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and there is a paved area for wheelchairs, the press release said. A popular tradition at the Community Band summer concerts is Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab, which provides refreshments for the audience. [Read more…]

Free Christmas concert, sing-along on Sunday

Posted at 12:32 pm December 8, 2018
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

The public is invited to come to the Oak Ridge Community Band’s “Christmas Concert & Sing-Along” on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2018. This free event will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Submitted photo)

The public is invited to come to the Oak Ridge Community Band’s “Christmas Concert & Sing-Along” on Sunday afternoon, December 9. This free event will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church at 1101 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“The Christmas and Sing-Along concert directed by new conductor Shaun Salem is a good opportunity to relax from holiday stress, enjoy the true spirit of the season with familiar holiday music, and also have the chance to sing favorite Christmas carols accompanied by the band,” a press release said. [Read more…]

Labor Day Concert: Dale Pendley retiring as conductor

Posted at 11:26 am September 3, 2018
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

Dale Pendley and the Oak Ridge Community Band are pictured above in this submitted photo.

Submitted

As summer comes to a unofficial close on Labor Day, it is official that Dale Pendley’s many years of outstanding service as conductor of the Oak Ridge Community Band from 2001 to 2018 comes to a close as he heads into retirement. The Community Band is inviting all Oak Ridgers and area residents, particularly former Community Band members, former band students of Pendley during the years he worked as an educator in the Oak Ridge Schools, family, and friends to come on down to A.K. Bissell Park on Monday, September 3, at 7 p.m. to join with band members in giving Dale Pendley a warm send-off and many best wishes for his retirement.

Dale Pendley has been with the Oak Ridge Community Band since 1996, originally as a member of the trombone section, later becoming assistant conductor in 1998, and he was appointed the band conductor in 2001 after the retirement of former director Steve “Doc” Combs. Pendley is a graduate of Tyner High School in Chattanooga and received his bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He taught in the Knoxville City Schools and started the band program in the Grainger County Schools. From 1980 to 2012, he taught band in Oak Ridge Schools at both Jefferson Middle School and Oak Ridge High School. In addition to teaching and conducting, Pendley has performed with the University of Tennessee Trombone Choir, the Babahatchie Community Band, the Oak Ridge and Knoxville Symphony Orchestras, and numerous jazz and dance bands. Dale and his wife Rita have three grown children and one grandchild. [Read more…]

Celebrate summer in the park with Community Band on Sunday

Posted at 10:19 pm August 1, 2018
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at A.K. Bissell Park. (Submitted photo)

Although Oak Ridge students returned to school this week, it is still officially summer, and you are invited to “come on down” to A.K. Bissell Park on Sunday evening, August 5, for the 7 p.m. “Summer” concert performed by the Oak Ridge Community Band. This is the third concert of the summer season, and if you missed the Memorial Day and July 4 concerts, make your plans now to hear the Community Band in Sunday evening’s performance, a press release said.

This is a free event and a great opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a casual evening in the park, the press release said. Bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. Refreshments will be available for sale.

This concert will have a variety of music featuring jazz, swing, show tunes, marches, and Broadway hits, the press release said. [Read more…]

Reminder: Fireworks are Wednesday at A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at 10:51 pm July 2, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

A reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is again sponsoring a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in A.K. Bissell Park on Wednesday, July 4, and is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 74th year, will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating, the press release said. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas, the press release said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band has July 4 concert

Posted at 11:12 pm June 28, 2018
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Concert Band in a July 4 concert. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will present its annual Independence Day concert on Wednesday, July 4, at Alvin K. Bissell Park.

The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free, and it will be followed by the Oak Ridge fireworks show.

“Because the concert and fireworks traditionally attract large crowds, the public is encouraged to come early for good seating,” a press release said. “Bring chairs or blankets and plan to enjoy an exciting evening of music and fireworks celebrating the 242nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band director retiring

Posted at 11:16 am June 14, 2018
By Barbara Gritzner Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above in a concert directed by Dale Pendley at Oak Ridge High School. (File photo/Submitted)

Oak Ridge Community Band Director Dale Pendley is retiring, and the band is searching for a new director.

Pendley’s retirement will be effective after the Labor Day concert, a press release said.

Those interested in applying for the director position can send an email to [email protected] or send mail to Lanny Huddleston at 225 Iroquois Rd., Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

People who would like to apply should submit a cover letter, resume, three examples of programs from performances they have produced and conducted over the past five years, and video recordings of performances, the press release said. Applicants will be reviewed by the selection committee, and selected applicants will be invited to conduct one or more Community Band rehearsals. Finalists will be interviewed by the Selection Committee and Board of Directors, the press release said. [Read more…]

Independence Day fireworks show is July 4 at A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at 10:54 am June 14, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

The annual Oak Ridge fireworks show is Independence Day, July 4, at Alvin K. Bissell Park. The fireworks are sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge.

The show is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band has Labor Day concert on Monday

Posted at 10:44 am September 3, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Dale Pendley conducts the Oak Ridge Community Band on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Community Band has its last outdoor concert of the summer at 7 p.m. Monday, Labor Day, in Alvin K. Bissell Park. There is no admission fee, and everyone is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, a press release said. To make things even “sweeter,” Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will be in the park to provide cool refreshments, the press release said.

Along with the concert programs handed out at the tables around the performing pavilion, audience members can also pick up brochures outlining the Community Band’s 2017-2018 indoor concert season with performances scheduled from October through April. And as an extra bonus, tickets for free admission to the October 8 concert will be also be available.

Among the highlights of the Community Band’s Labor Day program will be the clarinet section’s performance of Wim Laseroms’s fast-paced “Claribelle,” the tubas and flutes in Henry Mancini’s “Baby Elephant Walk,” and the trombone section in Henry Fillmore’s “Ham Trombone.” [Read more…]

Celebrate summer with music in the park on Aug. 6

Posted at 10:25 am July 28, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Dale Pendley directs the Oak Ridge Community Band during a concert at Alvin K. Bissell Park on July 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

After a very successful concert on July 4 before a large and amazing audience who stayed even through the rain showers, the Oak Ridge Community Band is currently rehearsing for its third concert of the summer to be held on Sunday evening, August 6, at A.K. Bissell Park.

Beginning at 7 p.m. that day, the Community Band will perform a “Touch of Latin”program, which will also include some swing, jazz, and show tunes. There is no admission fee for the summer concerts, although donations are gratefully accepted to help with community band expenses.

The public is encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab will provide refreshments. [Read more…]

Reminder: Oak Ridge has fireworks tonight in A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at 11:43 am July 4, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge

A reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is once again sponsoring a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in Alvin K. Bissell Park on Tuesday, July 4, and it is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 73rd year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.

What: Independence Day Concert and Fireworks Display [Read more…]