Mile High Community Band (MHCB) unveils its new rehearsal location...right here in Edgewater. MHCB Board President
Roger Oram announced this week that their Thursday evening rehearsals will be held at Jefferson High School, 2305 Pierce Street, starting with their fall session.
MHCB offers
four bands: Beginning, Intermediate, Jazz, and Concert, which provide music and cultural experiences uniquely accessible to adults, youth, and families.
MHCB member
Stephanie Wells noted, "Most bands are either for kids of various levels, or for adults who are already very accomplished on their instrument, and for which they have to audition. Mile High Community Band is unique in that both adults and kids of varying ability can join." Wells, along with her son, Bradley, have participated in both the Intermediate and Concert bands.
"We currently have members ranging in age from 11 to 60-something, ranging in skill from beginner to advanced, and coming from all sorts of music backgrounds and training," said
Thomas Blomster, Director and Conductor of the Jazz and Concert Bands. MHCB encourages family participation as well, and at any given time has youth siblings, adult siblings, and parents participating side-by-side with their kids.
Blomster continued: "Our Jazz Band did a small corporate gig at D'Vine Winery in downtown Denver recently. It was really cool to have 11-year old jazz trumpet player Darius Alizadeh performing side-by-side with...well...some folks who are much older than he is!" MHCB supports Denver area communities through free concerts throughout the year as well.
And the quality of the music? Blomster noted that the organization thrives
because of the diversity the membership brings. "We provide solid music instruction, but more than that, we really come together musically because members care about the music, organization, and people." Blomster, a professional musician for 35 years, also founded and directs the Colorado Chamber Orchestra and is a percussionist with the Denver Municipal Band, Denver's oldest professional band.
MHCB provides a unique service to Denver area residents: "One of our leading goals is to make MHCB accessible and available to area students whose school music programs have dwindled or been canceled," said Oram. According to Oram, many existing members also find MHCB programs to be a good complement to school programs or private lessons.
Mile High's programs are a bargain, too. With weekly rehearsals, the student rate is just $25/month, as is adult membership in the Beginning and Intermediate bands; Jazz and Concert Band membership is $35/month, with many members participating in both bands for the $35 fee. Family discounts are also available. Additionally, "We won't turn away anyone with demonstrated financial need," Oram noted.
Concert and Jazz Band rehearsals begin at Jefferson High School Thursday, August 28th. Beginning and Intermediate Band rehearsals begin Thursday, September 4th.
"Music will stay with you a lifetime," Oram concluded. "We hope that MHCB--whether it be through rehearsal or community performance--inspires youth and adults in the Denver area to learn and enjoy music."
For more information about Mile High Community Band, go to
www.milehighcommunityband.org, or reach Deborah Ray at
debray@milehighcommunityband.org or 303-451-9240.
Thornton resident Deborah Ray is a rehabilitated computer book author, department editor, and syndicated newspaper columnist. Deborah is the Executive Director of MHCB and is a flutist with the Concert Band.