OACB BACKGROUND

  The forerunner of the Oshkosh Area Community Band, was the Oshkosh Civic Band, Directed by Willis Buettner, and discontinued in 1985. The Civic Band was in existence since the 1960's, and played in nursing homes, park shelters and other locations and was supported by the Musical Performance Trust Fund of the Musicians Union.

Because of the absence of a volunteer community band a meeting was held with Charles Drayna, then Director of the Oshkosh Recreation Department, (a division of the Oshkosh Area School District), to discuss the possibility that the Recreation Department would assist in the organization of a new all-volunteer community band. He was supportive of the idea, noting that other Recreation Departments had reported positive experiences with community bands.

  At the same time the Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis Club sought a new project, and support for creating a new community band was approved.

  A steering committee of eleven Kiwanis members and volunteers from the community met in a series of meetings in the Recreation Department offices during the fall and winter of 1986/87, which resulted in the selection of the name Oshkosh Area Community Band, election of officers, the Board of Directors to direct the Band's affairs, the creation of a special account under the Oshkosh Recreation Department to handle the Band's expenses, and the selection of Terry Hathaway, then the Instrumental Music Teacher at Lourdes Academy, as the band's first Musical Director. The Band's logo was designed by charter member Orrene Raby.

  Weekly rehearsals for the new Band began February 18, 1987 at Lourdes Academy. There were sixteen volunteer musicians and the director at the first rehearsal. Performances at mostly public events, parades, holiday celebrations, and the beginning of the summer concert series began shortly thereafter. Other than early assistance from Oshkosh Noon Kiwanis, which provided Community Service dollars several times during the period from 1987 into 1989, the band has been self-supporting since the beginning. The Oshkosh Recreation Department and its Director, Al Wenig, (who replaced Charles Drayna after his retirement), have continued to be supportive, although no Recreation Department funds have been paid to the band.

  For our 10th anniversary concert in the spring of 1997 we commissioned renowned composer/arranger Warren Barker to compose our very own 'Celebration Fanfare' as well as arrange a special medley for us called "Irving Berlin: The Early Years". The world premier of these compositions was performed at the 10th Anniversary concert, March 8, 1997.

  Since our beginning there have been no fees or auditions to join and is open to any interested post high school adult. Our objectives have always been: to provide Oshkosh area musicians a venue with which to perform, to provide Oshkosh area residents an opportunity to hear good band literature as performed by the OACB, and to develop a regular and supportive following.
We selected the motto: MUSIC SHOULD BE FOR LIFE!