The Cville Band, formerly the Municipal Band of Charlottesville, opened their Centennial season with a rousing performance under the stars at Claudius Crozet Park June 7. The afternoon’s rain cleared up just in time for the audience to sit out on the lawn and enjoy a colorful sunset in the rain-cooled air.
The band, which was founded in 1922 and gave its first showcase performance at Lee Park (now Market Street Park) on May 28, 1923, has been entertaining residents of Charlottesville and surrounding counties—always free of charge—for 100 years.
Current Music Director Stephen R. Layman led the 86-musician-strong band in lively renditions of the Ukraine national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, Dr. Who Through Time and Space, the Soulful Sixties, and two Centennial Fanfares, among others. During the Armed Forces Salute, audience members were asked to stand when their service’s anthem was played, drawing the large audience’s grateful applause. Du Card Vineyards sold The Spirit of ’22 wine to benefit the band. “We look forward to a second century as the soundtrack of our community,” noted Layman in the program. For a full schedule of upcoming summer concerts—or to donate—visit www.cvilleband.org.
