The Camden Community Concert Band (CCCB) will start its 40th year of offering adults an opportunity to continue using and developing their musical skills and to provide free concerts for the citizens of the community. The band will be celebrating throughout the 2019-2020 season.
W. Patrick Wylie founded the CCCB in March 1980 while serving as the Camden Middle School band director. Wylie retired from conducting the band in 2014.
William “B.J.” Brazier, retired U.S. Army Bands commander and conductor, former music educator and former JROTC instructor, continues the band’s musical heritage and mission beginning his fifth season conducting the CCCB.
The band is comprised of 50-plus volunteer musicians who continue to play their instrument for the joy and pleasure of performing concert band standards, marches, contemporary and popular music. They rehearse on Monday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Camden High School band room, beginning the last Monday of August through to the following year’s Independence Day Celebration: Patriots, Picnic, and Pops Concert, on or about July 4th.
The 2019-20 season concerts dates are: October 20, and December 8, 2019; March 8 and May 3, 2020. The band is always looking for players to join, and is open to high school student musicians with their band director’s recommendation, and to adults of all ages.
A special concert piece has been commissioned by the CCCB to be written by world-renowned composer Robert W. Smith, with the world premiere performance at the band’s Winter Concert on March 8, 2020. Support of this commission and of the band is undertaken through donations and by attendance at the band’s concerts.
Donations may be sent to the Camden Community Concert Band, P.O. Box 521, Camden, SC 29021.
https://www.chronicle-independent.com/people-places/cccb-start-40th-year/
