Concert Band prepares for summertime comeback
The Hot Springs Concert Band is hopping on the bandwagon headed out of the COVID-19 pandemic as it plans to reunite its 80-person ensemble to bring music to the community once again as soon as Memorial Day.
Jeff Olson, the band’s publicity director, said the band had to essentially shut down rehearsals and concerts since last February due to health regulations and directives implemented by the state, but they are optimistic they will return to rehearsal in early May and hold one to two concerts this summer, pandemic permitting.
“It appears at this point that things are starting to open up, so it’s our hope that will indicate opportunities to have our rehearsals again and our concerts again,” Olson said. “We’re optimistic based on the trends we’re seeing right now with vaccinations and just with the lowering of the infection rate that perhaps by Memorial Day we’ll have a concert.”
Before 2020, the band traditionally held four to five concerts in Whittington Park each summer, but whether or not even one or two summer concerts can happen in that setting will be up to the National Park Service when the time comes, he said.
“Most of our folks are in their 60s or older, so the pandemic is especially an issue to older folks, so we try to be mindful of that in what we’ve done as far as making the decisions that we’ve been able to make,” Olson said.
Although it will be a challenge getting back together and playing after so long, he said many band members are “champing at the bit.”
“We’re ready to get going,” Olson said. “We’ve just been very cautious and not even pushed it.”
As a matter of fact, he said he is most looking forward to being back with his band members.
“Some of the folks that I thought I’d see again are gone, so I’m looking forward to as much the camaraderie as I am the playing,” Olson said. “Although I’m really excited about playing in the band, I miss the folks I sit next to; I miss our director; I miss everybody. We’re kind of a family. And we’ve even had some players that have had health issues and cannot come back and play at the level they once could because of that.”
The band’s mission, he said, is to make music for the community and their neighbors.
“Everyone is in there because they love what they’re doing, he said. “We’re volunteers, none of us get paid, with the exception of our director.”
“If it doesn’t work Memorial Day, then as soon as we can, we’ll be out there,” Olson said. “I’d say just look for us to announce our next concert.”
Announcements for future concerts will be published in
and other media.