Cascade band schedules free concert on June 25

Sisters area residents are invited to a free concert of the Cascade Horizon Band on Sunday, June 25, at 3 p.m. at Sisters High School.

The band includes over 50 Central Oregon seniors in their 60s and 70s organized just three years ago as part of a national program. The band is a full concert band, playing jazz, swing, rock, Sousa marches, and specializing in the big band sounds of the 1930s and 1940s.

Most band members had not played for decades when they responded to calls for musicians. For some, it was a struggle to even get a sound out of their instrument. A few even tried to play new instruments and several had never played at all. There are no auditions for the band or assigned chairs.

Sisters has two members in the band, Tom Worcester playing French horn and Don Oliver playing baritone.

“This experience has opened up a whole new world of enjoyment and satisfaction,” Oliver said. “I started trying to play trumpet again, but quickly learned there already were too many good trumpet players in the band, so I switched to the baritone which has the same fingering.”

While the band practices every week in Bend, Don often practices by himself. His soft baritone sounds drift quietly out through the tall pine trees surrounding his rural home.

The Cascade Horizon Band was organized in 2003 with only 12 members. It was the 74th band nationally to join in the New Horizons senior band program affiliated with the prestigious Eastman School of Music in New York. That program started in1992 and now has over one hundred bands throughout the country with over 4,000 members.

Sue Steiger, band director of the High Desert Middle School for the past 17 years and the seniors’ band director, had always wanted to direct a seniors band. When the opportunity arose to direct the Central Oregon group, she was ready as well as patient. She started the group out where most sixth grade bands start, playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

“Sue has a unique personality that brings us together like no group I have ever seen and she challenges us to keep getting better and better,” Worcester said. The band has recorded several concerts on CDs.

The Cascades Horizon Band has made 48 public appearances, always free of charge to the public and has a devoted following, according to band president and trumpet player Marilyn Burkholder.

Their third anniversary concert last January in Bend drew an audience of nearly 700. At that time, the two Sisters members suggested the band next play at the new Sisters High School that offers a state-of-the-art auditorium and sound system. That offer was accepted.

The band rode a flatbed truck and played in the Sisters Rodeo parade earlier this month. In August they will play at the Deschutes County Fair and for the Cruz-In Auto Show.

For those interested in joining the band, weekly rehearsals are each Tuesday from 3:45 to 6 p.m. at the High Desert Middle School, 61111 S.E. 27th St. in Bend. Visitors are always welcome, according to Burkholder. Call her at 541-330-1989 for more information.

To present a major free concert costs about $1,000 depending on the venue, Burkholder added. Therefore, the band is always seeking sponsors at levels from $25 to $250 to fund the concerts. Contributions may be mailed to Cascades Horizon Band, 20235 Rae Rd., Bend, OR 97702.