History of the Meridian Community Band

Brass section performing with Meridian Community Band

The Band was founded in 1974 as the Okemos Community Band and performed for the dedication of the Meridian Historic Village and the Township Bicentennial celebrations. To represent the Band’s service to our community outside of Okemos, the group adopted the new name of the Meridian Community Band (MCB) in 1978. In 1983, the Band became an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The mission of the MCB is to provide an opportunity for community musicians to come together in an enjoyable and cooperative atmosphere to practice, perfect, and perform inspiring and educational concerts in the American town band tradition for the benefit of the greater community.

The Band performs nine to twelve concerts per season in a wide variety of settings. The traditional season opener is the annual Grand Sousa Concert. During the holiday session, the MCB performs at formal and community service concerts. Winter features the hosting of, and performance in the annual Red Cedar Festival of Community Bands. There is a spring concert, often in combination with another community music ensemble. Summer features an annual concert series at the Lake Lansing Park South band shell and other area venues. Outreach concerts bring music to community members who cannot travel to other concerts, and community service concerts provide music for civic functions.

Show your support

The Meridian Community Band’s continued success is made possible with the help of our generous donors.