Current Event and Performance Schedule:
                                                                                                                                                                Updated 5/22/26

                                                                            "School's Out For The Summer!"


Thanks to Alice Cooper for providing this month's signature line.  To be fully accurate, most schools are out for the summer.  The rest will be soon, but that misses the point.  When you arrive at the unofficial start of summer - Memorial Day weekend - minds and personalities shift into a different gear.  Old routines are replaced, as well as changes in personal and activity timetables.  Even the weather gets into the act.  Snow shovels are parked in the corner of garages, and gone are the multiple frost- freeze warnings.  Hard to beat this time of year.

We also have made some adjustments.  The one least visible is a shift of rehearsal location from Grant Middle School to the River Valley High School Band Room.  Similar to last year's summer relocation, this is not a permanent change.  While we are taking off the evening of Memorial Day, we will start those rehearsals on Monday, June 1st, at 7pm.  For those instrumentalists who want to keep their skills up over the summer, we'd be pleased to have you.  Just bring your instrument to rehearsal and introduce yourself.  We don't charge dues, don't have auditions, and realize that not everyone can attend everything.  If you find a better deal that that, let us know.

There are three things remaining to be mentioned:

- This summer the good old USA will be celebrating 250 years!  Special events have been in the planning stages since last fall.  As local ones are made known to us, we will list them here. 

One that is already on our performance schedule is at the Marion Women's Club Home.  On July 19, at 2pm, we will be performing for their ice cream social.

We have finalized the 2026 Summer Concert Series in McKinley Park.  The schedule of performers is listed below.  All performances start at 7pm, and are weather dependent.  (Electronics, woodwinds, and percussion instruments don't like being rained on any more than audience members.)  Bring a comfy chair, snacks, and/or non-acoholic beverages (it is in a city park), and enjoy quality live music!

     June 7 – John Mullins (solo)
     June 14 – Rare Vintage 10 (big band group)
     June 21 – Marion Concert Band (Father's Day)
     June 28 – Dan and Randy

     July 5 – The Palace Choir, directed by Ryan Ratliff, and the Cast of the Palace summer musical
     July 12 – Marion Concert Band
     July 19 – United in Harmony – Patriotic Concert
     July 26 – Spittin' Image

     August 2 – Whirlybirds
     August 9 – Marion Concert Band



- In closing, we would again like to recognize the sponsors who made our 2026 summer concert series possible. Thanks for contributing to the performance of “live” music in the Marion community.



Ray & Charlotte Baldauf Trust
American Legion Post 162
The Marion Community Foundation
(Daniel V. and Terri A. Tobin Foundation and the O Fund)
 
Jim & Barb Greetham
Steve and Brenda Johnston
Dan & Amy Erickson

Chester Arbor 121 of Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Junior Service Guild
Marion Brewing Company

Marke & Denise Lyon
Dostal and Kirk Insurance & Financial Services
Harley & Susan Hoover

Stephen and Mary Jenkins
Marion Music Club
Peacock Water

Reflexology for Relaxation
Tech ITVision / Greg and Deb Haas
"Marcela's" Baires Restaurant

Fred and Margie Saull
Allen & Jean Merritt

Marion Parks and Recreation Department
Marion Visitors & Convention Bureau
Laipply's Printing & Marketing Solutions, Inc.


That seems to bring us up to date for now.  As more information becomes available, we will share.
 
Stay warm (and dry), and we'll see you at the show!