T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY
The Marshalltown Community Band performs at the Red, White & Blue Celebration on the Fourth of July at the 6th Street Softball Comple. Director Brett Umthun is planning to apply for some grants to help fund the band’s next season.
Some people might have noticed the name change in the Marshalltown Municipal Band, now the Marshalltown Community Band. Director Brett Umthun said it was a good time to make the change.
“It’s a good way to represent the community since we are no longer getting funding from the city,” he said.
In February, Umthun asked the Marshalltown City Council for $8,000 in funding to make up for the loss of special levy funding, but the request was denied. The Iowa Legislature passed a law this year consolidating special levies into general funds.
The move took away the longstanding city funding from the band. Umthun said he plans on bringing back the request in the future, and hopes council members who were against the funding earlier this year will change their votes.
“We had some meetings after the request and we have a lot of support from the community,” he said. “They are helping out. We are still doing what we do, which is playing good music for the community.”
Some members of the community and the city council were selling T-shirts to raise money for the band. Umthun has not gotten the total amount they raised, but saw them selling at the Red, White & Blue Celebration at the 13th Street District on the Fourth of July. He is not anticipating a large amount of money from the t-shirt sales.
“I have done t-shirt sales,” Umthun said. “I appreciate the sentiment, but it is a long shot to fund the band for what it needs.”
Despite what some people might not think, there are more expenses for the Marshalltown Community Band than just travel and covering the cost of sheet music. While some of the musicians are volunteers, some get paid for the talents, he said. As the director, Umthun is paid for his time and the work he puts in behind the scenes. Money is also used to pay for insurance for the band trailer and for performances.
“Some members who live outside of Marshalltown also get help to offset [travel] cost,” he said.
Fortunately, Umthun said they have enough money to finish this year’s season, and they are already working on obtaining funding for next year, which is also the band’s 150th anniversary. He intends to apply for some grants to help fund next season’s $10,000 band budget, but a lot of it depends on the city’s response.
“It depends on the city funding,” Umthun said.
Now there are only two chances left for people to watch and listen to the Marshalltown Community Band during this season. They will perform Thursday at Oakview Nursing Home in Conrad at 6 p.m., and at 7 p.m. at West End Park on July 25. Throughout the previous seven concerts, Umthun noticed an increase in the number of audience members.
“I’ve been directing for 10 years, and there has been a good turnout,” he said.
Umthun hopes more people will listen to their performances and join the band to help create quality music for the community.
“The best way to support us is to attend our concerts and see what we are about,” he said. “We are staying strong and keeping a positive outlook on the band throughout our endeavors. We are not losing sight of what we are about – providing awesome music and an outlet for residents to listen to live music.”
TO DONATE:
Umthun said if people want to donate to the Marshalltown Community Band, they should contact him at marshalltowncommunityband@gmail.com.
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Contact Lana Bradstream
at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or
lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.
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