Belle Valley Band presents $1,000 to Imlay Schools Band Boosters
IMLAY CITY — The Belle Valley Community Band recently showed their gratitude and appreciation for Imlay City Band Director Scott Pries and the band boosters program.
BVCB President and euphonium player Art Smith presented Pries—who also plays trumpet for BVCB—with a check for $1,000 for the Imlay City Band Boosters.
“It’s a small token of our appreciation for allowing the BVCB to call Imlay City our home,” Smith says. “It’s the least that we can do to say thank you to Scott, Imlay City High School and Imlay City Community Schools for all that they do for the Belle Valley Community Band.”
Belle Valley Community Band President and euphonium player Art Smith presents $1,000 donation to Imlay City Schools’ Band Director Scott Pries and the Imlay City Band Boosters program for their support of BVCB throughout the years.
Smith says the donation was made possible by the generous contributions from Belle Valley Community Band members.
On Sunday, May 7, BVCB marked the end of their concert season for 2022-2023, and a very successful season it was, Smith says.
A festive crowd gathered for the 3 p.m. concert in the ICHS gymnasium, and were treated to big band sounds of old, a Spanish two-step, and lively concert marches, along with several other musical selections chosen by co-conductors David Coon, Christine Dodge and Steve Burns, Smith adds.
“This concert also marks the end of an era for the BVCB as it is the last time that they will hold a concert in the high school gymnasium,” Smith says. “We have been performing in this gym for many years. We know the type of music that it takes to put on a good concert in this venue and it has served us well. We are however, looking forward to performing in the new Performing Arts Center when our next musical season begins in the fall of 2023.”
Smith says band members were able to get a “sneak peek” at the new, state-of-the-art facility after their final band rehearsal a few weeks ago.
“Imlay City Schools and the Imlay City Community have a beautiful facility to be very proud of,” he says.
As the season draws to a close, gratitude and appreciation swells for area residents who turn out to enjoy BVCB’s performances.
“I want to thank our patrons for their financial support throughout our four concert season,” Smith says. “Your generous donations allow us to do what we enjoy doing, and that is playing music for all to enjoy. We will see you in the fall.”
BVCB members include Lydia Bender, Christine Dodge, Matteus Karwowski and Kim Teal on Flute; Lydia Bender and Kim Teal on piccolo; Trace Barber, Chris Cutler, Olan Dombrowski, Lynn Jacob, Alexis Johnson, Jeanine Jones, Jan Kapustka, Gracie Kelly, Jody Doty Kosiara, Tina Nael, Vickie Reintjes, Jo Ann Royce, Roberta Schmidt and Sharon Write on Clarinet; Bass Clarinet players Susan Brinker and Debra Burns; Tyler Kaeding, Kyle Pokropowitcz and Tim Spankie on Alto Saxophone; Tenor Sax player Scott Dodge; Kyle Pokropowicz on Baritone Sax; Horn players Diane Boudreau and Leah Jaun; Steven Burns, Bryan Cloutier, Scott Pries, Lindsey Rusk, Michael Swanter and Amanda Williams on Trumpet; Trombone players Gloria Bublitz, David Coon, Duane Emrick and Kevin LaHaie; Dan Dodge, Art Smith and Todd Tindall on Euphonium, Tuba players Andy Schmid and Bob Sutton, Mikann Thompson and Ron Weyersberg on Cello; Basson player Brad Schmaltz, Carolyn Hill on String Bass, Deb Barber, Sue Brown, Kerry Kosiara, Ann Goss, Aaron Schmidt and Julene Van Dyke on Percussion.
