Wilmington Area Community Band readies for Season 15

The members of the Wilmington Area Community Band (WACB) are ready to take the stage for the group’s 15th season.

Starting Sunday, June 12, the band will return for performances every other week at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Wilmington.

Wilmington School District 209-U music educator and WACB director Tracy Smith, along with husband Wes Smith, founded the band back in 2007, with the help of the Wilmington School District 209-U Music Boosters.

What began as an effort to share music and provide some entertainment to the community has grown into a summertime favorite, including musicians from Wilmington, Braidwood, Coal City, Morris, Joliet, and other areas around the region.

The all-volunteer group is made up of musicians from seventh grade and up. Anyone can join as long as they play a band instrument and have completed seventh grade, and over the years the band has featured artists from age 13 up into their 70s.

“Music is like any other skill that takes practice,” Wes Smith said. “We saw that students had plenty of opportunities for sports during the summer and playing their instrument helps them gain experience and be ready for fall band season. We also knew a lot of adults that enjoy playing and performing. Music is one activity where people of all ages can participate on an even level.”
While the band performs during the summer months, the activity is hardly limited to the days of warmer weather and more sunlight.

Director Tracy Smith begins music selection for the summer season every year in February.

“She selects songs from the WACB library as well as Wilmington High School, Kankakee Municipal Band and Reed-Custer High School,’ Wes Smith explained. “A few new music scores are also purchased. The 50 folders are filled with our first concert playlist by the band librarian, Pete Bianchetta.”

The band’s first rehearsal was on June 1, and members typically attend two rehearsals between concerns.

Between selecting music and prepping to actually play, the Smiths work on the necessary paperwork, including requests for permits and contacting various organizations that help out with planning the concert series, including the city of Wilmington for reservations at Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce for the sound system, District 209-U in order to utilize the WHS band room and backup concert venue, Wilmington Park District for reservation of the portable stage, and Wilmington Rotary Club for their sponsorship.

Smith said it’s the dedication of the musicians that has produced some of the best memories over the past 15 years.

“Many play in other groups during the school year and have recruited more people to come to Wilmington and have fun performing,” he said. “We have had many students play and go on to college and we even had a firefighter “Hot Shot” training at Midewin join us on trombone one summer. I think some of our dedicated audience members have been attending since the very first summer season.”

Smith said the public is always in for a treat when they attend a concert, with familiar songs filling the air in a beautiful outdoor venue.

“Concerts are from 6 p.m. to around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings, and for 2022 we have arranged to have a food truck at each concert,” Smith said. “Chances are that you will see someone you know!”

Over the years, the band has worked in collaboration with other musical groups, hosting on occasion the Joliet American Legion band, the Route 66 Band, and the Great Lakes Navy Brass Quintet.

The Island City Brass Quintet was formed within the WACB and currently consists of Pete Bianchetta and Tracy Smith (Trumpet), Rich Blaha (French Horn), Drew Smith (Euphonium), and Wes Smith (Tuba) and has performed at other events where a full size band isn’t possible.

“This is a live music outdoor social event that very few small towns have,” Wes Smith said on the importance an organization like WACB can have for the community.

“Come to the concerts and bring your family and neighbors. Buy some tickets for our Sweet Treat raffle and you could win a delicious dessert prepared by one of our talented musicians. The funds from the raffle cover the band expenses—music, insurance and stage storage.”

The WACB will host performances on the following dates this summer:

• June 12 – Patriotic/tribute to late band announcer Bill Locke
• June 26 – Musical Passport Around the World
• July 10 – The Four Seasons of Music
• July 24 – Salute to Musicals and Movies
• Aug. 7 – Jazz/Season band favorites

All performances take place at Veterans Memorial Park in Wilmington, near the intersection of Williams and Oak Streets.

Concert goers should bring a lawn chair or blanket and snacks/water.

If there is rain or extreme heat, concerts will be moved to Wilmington High School.

Updates and information can also be found by following the WACB on Facebook, @WilmingtonILBand.