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Written by Linda M. Goodness
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The Oswego Band tradition predates the City Band with the Industrial Bands of the mid and late 19th Century. The Kingsford Band was formed and sponsored by the Kingsford family who also owned the Kingsford Starch Company. Employees were given time off during the workday to rehearse with the band which was the premier Industrial Band of its time. The Phillips Band performed in the City at the turn of the Century followed by the Italian-American Band and Schilling’s Band that performed from about 1915 to 1935. All of these bands were sponsored by local companies and Oswego families and entertained at various functions throughout the city.
The Oswego City Band has been performing continuously since 1935. These concerts are co-sponsored by the City of Oswego and MPTF, the Musicians Performance Trust Fund. The band performs in the Slim Grose Memorial Band Stand named after the City Band’s longest running conductor – Weldon “Slim” Grose who served as bandleader from 1935 to 1975. Other band leaders included George Cuppernull who served for five years while also inviting other local conductors to guest conduct. The City Band was led by many guest conductors over a 20 year period.
The current bandleader, Don Goodness, has been City Band Director since 1997. The band is made up of 29 professional musicians from the Oswego-Syracuse area. The band performs at Breitbeck Park five times through the summer. The concerts are timed for the audience to enjoy the performance while viewing the famous Oswego sunsets on Lake Ontario. The band however did not always perform at the park. Other locations included the SUNY campus, the City plaza and various parks throughout Oswego and Fulton.
Each performance is carefully crafted to entertain with a variety of old favorites, classical pieces and some more contemporary choices. Most evenings you will hear marches, Broadway show tunes, overtures and more that typically follow a theme chosen by the Director. The music is introduced and oftentimes accompanied by some history of the music or its composer by the Director. Occasionally a special tribute to a famous local musician will be given or you might get to experience special guest conductors such as Edward S. Lisk who guest conducted during the 2006 season.
Performances continue to draw several hundred people from the Central New York area, many of whom have been attending these concerts for years, as well as visitors to the Port City. All performances are free to the public.
For more information about the Breitbeck Park Sunset Concert Series and other music concerts in Oswego check our events calendar by clicking here. |
