Seward Community/Concert Band History

The Seward Band was born in the spring of 1978. The idea began in the mind of one Seward neighborhood musician, an oboist named Judy Wohlueter who started talking about a band and maybe a choir with her neighbors. Pretty soon a committee was formed and a questionnaire was prepared. The committee had several goals in mind when they sent out their questionnaire. The goals were to:

Meet neighbors who share an interest in music making
To participate in a regularly scheduled rehearsal group
To renew instrumental music skills
To serve as role models to young students
To support young students in their music making

A community choir was formed at the same time as the community band and was led by Vern Sutton but was unable to sustain itself and within a few years went out of existence. However the community band was successful thanks to a core group of committed musicians who gave it a solid foundation. The first band members were recruited by a questionnaire, door to door leafleting, articles in "The Seward Profile" and the Community Education brochure. Over the years concert performances and word of mouth have also proven to be valuable tools in recruiting new members.

For the first three years the band received some grant money from the Charles Mott foundation, through a program of the Minneapolis Public School Community Education Department. Other funds were provided by the Minneapolis Arts Commission, and the Lutheran Brotherhood Company. Throughout its history the members of the band have raised money from three sources; member dues, donations, and performance ticket sales.

In the beginning years instruments and music were borrowed from the Seward School and from the Minneapolis School Music Department. When the Lutheran Brotherhood Band "disbanded" a few of their instruments were given to the Seward Band. In the early years there was little money available to purchase music but, fortunately, many school and community band directors were generous in loaning music. In the late 80's the band began to enlarge its music library, primarily by borrowing from the Chatfield Brass Band Library in southern Minnesota, but also by purchasing music and actually buying an entire music library from a college in Texas. The library now numbers over 800 titles.

The Seward Band has been led by Seven conductors:
Kathy White 1978-1980
Tim Matthaei 1980-1984
Neil Okerlund 1984-1986
Chuck Boody 1986-June 2006
Dennis Malmberg Sept 2006-June 2009
Foster Beyers Sept 2009-Aug 2010
Christina Chen-Beyers Sept 2010-Aug 2012
John Stewart Sept 2012-June 2013

In 1995 the Seward Band (now 50-60 players) organized itself. By-laws were written, officers elected, and tax exempt status applied for. During this organization period we also voted to change our name from "community" band to "concert" band. Rehearsal and performance space for the first 15 years was in the multi-purpose room/gym (Matthews Center) of the Seward Elementary School. In 1998 the band moved a few blocks away to the Ann Sullivan Elementary School auditorium which has proven to be an acoustically more satisfying space in which to play concerts. Most agree that these changes have helped the band to grow musically, to attract quality musicians, and to enlarge our audience base.

The Seward Band began as a non-audition musical organization and remains so to this day. Players flow in and out of the band and many stay. Friendships are formed. Since the band welcomes players at all levels, even those who are less skilled when they join, seem to improve in the group and the level of musicianship has remained consistently high. Just under 400 amateur musicians have played with the Seward Band in the past 24 years and one current member of the band is an original founder.

The Seward Concert Band has played a variety of venues. One venue is a constant: we have played 2-3 concerts per year in the Seward Neighborhood. The band has traditionally played annually for the Twin Cities Marathon and for the Memorial Day ceremony at the Soldiers & Pioneers Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Minnesota. A few of the other concert locations we play are as follows: Lake Harriet Bandshell, Como Park Pavilion, Landmark Center, Edinborough Park, Augsburg College, Grantsburg Middle School, Wisconsin, and many churches and parks in the Twin Cities area. In June of 2001, 35 members of the band (without "ringers," that is, players imported specifically for the trip) traveled to Europe and played concerts in Germany and the Czech Republic. Two works have been commissioned and/or written for the Seward Concert Band. One by Dominick Argento and the second by PhD Candidate, Shirley Hamilton.

In conclusion it seems as though the goals of the founding fathers and mothers have been taken to heart by this organization and have been fulfilled many times over. For 24 years the Seward Band has been a joy and a challenge to musicians in the Seward Neighborhood and in the entire metropolitan area as well as serving the community which provides us a home.

Written by Marilee Johnson and Dick Westby, January, 2003

Addendum: In June, 2006 Dr. Boody retired after 20 years as director of the band. A new director, Dennis Malmberg, was chosen and the rehearsal and main performance venue was changed to South High School. (RSO 11/2006)

Addendum: In September 2009 Foster Beyers was selected to replace the retiring director. Foster begins a new era chosen by the Board of Directors to choose Ph.D. Candidates in Music Education and Band or Orchestra Direction from the University of Minnesota for a period of one to two years to be exposed to new and cutting talent. Due to competition for space at South High School, the band relocated to Roosevelt High School in September of 2009. Christina Chen-Beyers was chosen replace the Foster, who had accepted a position at a local college in Sept 2010 (RSO 6/10).

Addendum: September 2012 John Stewart was chosen to replace outgoing director Chen-Beyers (RSO 6/12).

Addendum: September 2013 David Berberick was chosen to replace outgoing director Chen-Beyers (RSO 5/13)

Addendum: In June 2014 Dr. Berberick moved on to become director at Black Hills State University focusing on applied percussion and pep band, among others. He was then succeeded by David Rolandson, a Ph.D. candidate in Music at the University of Minnesota (RSO 6/14).