By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
On Wednesday, May 7, at 7 p.m., the Friends of the Library welcomes a five-piece combo from the 80-member Charlottesville Municipal Band to perform at its annual Friends Cafe at the Fluvanna County Public Library. All are welcome to attend.
Steve Layman, CMB’s musical director, will lead the five-member combo, or, as he refers to it, a cinco. The group includes a woodwind quintet, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn.
Celebrating 103 years since its inception in 1922, seven music directors have guided hundreds of band members throughout the years, expanding the musical collection and diversifying the membership, including women.
In 1957, Director Sharon Hoose suggested women should be admitted to play in the band for the first time. A total of 18 women joined in 1957, including Peggy Madison, who played with the band for 66 years until her retirement in 2023. In the years since 1957, there have been just under 600 female members of the band.
In 1963 the band played for the first time at Monticello for the annual naturalization ceremony. In 1976, CMB played for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Charlottesville during the American Bicentennial.
Among other milestones, in 1983, they reached 1,000 members. In 2000 the band held its first rehearsal in the new Municipal Arts Center, designed by band member Jack Laramore and built by band member Joe Goldsmith. After 78 years, the band finally had its permanent home.
As the band entered the 21st century, its focus shifted to supporting the next generation of musicians and making music accessible to everyone. Clarinetist Anthony Poehailos of Monticello High School won the first-ever James W. Simmons Solo Competition and the Rev. Dr. Genevieve Murphy Scholarship for Young Musicians.
Raising money is never easy, but CMB’s longevity, commitment, and dedication to the community literally paid off when they were offered a $500,000 matching grant. During the pandemic, theaters and music venues had shut their doors and everything was silent. The band members gathered in small ensembles played in the streets and performed at socially distanced outdoor performances. Doing what they do best they kept the music playing, promoting community morale during uncertain times.
