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Band concerts an Ashland tradition By Jim Flint Jul 18, 2022 01:00 AM A A The Ashland City Band’s free concerts in Lithia Park on Thursday evenings in the summer are a longtime tradition. [Mail Tribune / file photo] A Rogue Valley tradition is continuing this summer, and Ashland City Band fans say it’s music to their ears. Every Thursday night through Aug. 11, concertgoers can hear the revered wind ensemble play rousing marches, show tunes, overtures and other popular music written and arranged for the concert band. The setting is Ashland’s beautiful Lithia Park and the Butler Band Shell. The band shell grounds are surrounded by towering cedars and redwoods, providing a shady venue that provides relief from the heat even on the hottest summer days. The hourlong concerts, which began in June, start at 7 p.m., preceded by half-hour mini concerts at 6:15 p.m., featuring a variety of smaller ensembles. On July 21, for example, the pre-concert set will be provided by a German band. Other sets are provided by jazz, Dixieland and other small groups. “We’ll also feature the alphorns July 21, accompanied by the band,” said director Don Bieghler, who has been conducting the group since 1998. Alphorns are long horns carved or bored in wood and overwound with birch bark, traditionally played by alpine herdsmen and villagers. Ashland City Band is 70-strong, with half the members more than 60 years old. “We’re all having so much fun that nobody’s leaving the band,” Bieghler said. “Twelve players have been in the band over 25 years. Harvey Woods, Mike Wraight and Ed Wight have been in the band over 35 years, and Mike Knox, Dave Hoxie and myself over 50 years each,” he said. The band includes students, teachers, professionals and community members. Bieghler is proud of the band’s strong leadership. Most of the musicians play with other Rogue Valley groups, including the symphony and symphonic band. Ashland City Band, which had its origins in the late 19th century, has been supported by the city since 1938 when voters approved a small tax to fund the band. In the 1990s, a change in state law led to the band being supported instead with money from the city’s general fund. Vocalists and community singalongs were a bigger part of the summer concerts in the 1930s through 1960s. A nod to that past will occur at the last concert of the season Aug. 11, when the band will feature Southern Oregon Repertory Singers’ Jennifer Matsuura and Brandt Nakamura. “They will join the band in a medley of songs from six Richard Rodgers musicals,” Beighler said. Bench seating is provided. Many concertgoers, however, take their own lawn chairs and blankets, setting up behind the benches with good views of the band shell from the sloping lawn. Picnic suppers are a tradition at Thursday night concerts. Many people come early to enjoy food, drink and socializing. Forgot dessert? No problem. Ashland Lions Club has been a part of the Thursday night concert scene since 2009, selling ice cream treats to benefit local music programs. For more information about the band, its history and concert programs, see ashlandband.org . Reach Ashland writer Jim Flint at [email protected].