Bands strike patriotic note

BROWNSTOWN - Two free concerts held over the weekend helped set the tone for the upcoming Fourth of July celebration for at least one local resident.

"I guess it makes us a little more patriotic," Bob Millman said while he sat watching a performance of the Columbus City Band on Sunday on the lawn of the Jackson County Courthouse.

Millman said the band, which features musicians from throughout the region, including several from Jackson County, always puts on a good show, and Sunday's pleasant weather made it enjoyable.

Millman said he also attended a performance of the 38th Infantry Division Band at Brownstown Central High School on Saturday.

"They were very good," Millman said.

Both concerts were organized by Brownstown MelonFest committee and were the committee's way of thanking the community, festival chairman Judy Gilbert said. This year's festival will be Sept. 11-12.

Gilbert was pleased with the turnout for the Columbus City Band, which was at least the sixth time it has performed on the lawn, as well as the turnout for Saturday's performance by the 38th Infantry Division Band.

"We had a great crowd Saturday night," Gilbert said. "I just think we need more of these kinds of events in Jackson County."

Ruth Reedy of Brownstown said she has heard the Columbus City Band perform at the Jackson County Fair and likes what she hears.

"I think it's just wonderful," Reedy said.

Linda Griffin of Freetown said she decided to come to the performance on the courthouse lawn because her mother wanted to go.

"I told her I wasn't coming if it was too hot," Griffin said.

The weather, however, was just right for those sitting beneath the many large shade trees on the courthouse lawn.

Griffin's mother, Mary Ann Byarlay of Brownstown, said she enjoys coming out and listening to the Columbus City Band play.

"They do a good job," Byarlay said. "There's a great turnout today."

Stephen McGrew of Seymour, who is in his 13th year of directing the band, told the crowd of more than 100 people that membership in the band was open to anyone who could play an instrument.

"We don't have tryouts," McGrew said.

The band rehearses from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday (except in August and two weeks around Christmas) at Columbus Central Middle School, and musicians just need to show up, McGrew said.

The band has two performances scheduled in July, one at the Bartholomew County Fair, and the other is at the Jackson County Fair at 7 p.m. July 28 in the pavilion.