The time is here to unfurl the blankets and lay claim to a plot of land at Graceada Park in Modesto as the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, more commonly known as MoBand, is kicking off their 2023 summer concert season June 8.
“From good ol’ rock and roll to the groovy sounds of the sixties to classic patriotic hits to American musical gems, the 2023 summer season has it all,” said MoBand Board Member Susanna Mendieta Beasley.
The opening concert is Rockin’ and Rollin’ on June 8, in celebration of Modesto’s annual Graffiti festivities.
The second concert will feature Musical G.O.A.T.s (greatest of all time) including the music of Cher, Paul McCartney, Glenn Miller and Tchaikovsky.
The third concert, themed “Hippy Dippy,” will take fans to the sixties with the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel and Herman’s Hermits, to name a few.
The June 29 concert will be a “Patriotic Fury,” and July 6’s concert will feature “American Gems.” The last concert on July 13 will highlight music from the season in a summer wrap up finale.
Affectionately known as Mo Band, the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County is one of the oldest community bands in the United States. It is also one of the largest with an average membership of 130 performers. Membership is open to all area musicians who have graduated from the 8th grade. All high school, college and adult musicians are welcome. There are no auditions. Musicians are encouraged to attend and have a good time. Rehearsals are held each Monday and Wednesday night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Mancini Hall, 718 Tuolumne Blvd.in Modesto beginning June 5. A special welcome back rehearsal will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 31.
The band is under the direction of George Gardner who’s in his 44th year of conducting the non-profit musical organization. “I’m excited about the music for the season,” said Gardner. “I’m also excited about working with Brad Hart, our new band manager and assistant conductor. We are working together to blend our musical styles and produce a great season for the fans.”
Hart has been selected to serve as band manager and assistant conductor for MoBand. He has been teaching for more than 10 years at Johansen High School. During this time he has also served as department chair, district high school music chairperson, and teaches guitar, band, jazz band, orchestra, marching band, and music theory.
In the years at Johansen High School, he has worked to create an inclusive program that not only represents the community but one that participates in the community. From parades around the neighborhoods to community fairs, the program tries to directly add value. Students from the program have also performed in the famed Walt Disney Concert Hall and in 2022 performed at Carnegie Hall.
Hart has served as the high school band manager for the Stanislaus County Honor Band for more than 10 years as well as served the board as both a vice president and president, and now past president. He has also taught several classes at Stanislaus State University and University of the Pacific. He has also been published as a composer for both band and strings with World Projects.
“I’m excited about the music for the season,” said Gardner. “I’m also excited about working with Brad Hart, our new band manager and assistant conductor. We are working together to blend our musical styles and produce a great season for the fans.”
This season will also debut the new seating at Mancini Bowl, which was led by the MoBand board of directors and their “I Sit with MoBand” seat replacement project.
