Seward Concert Band, consisting of brass, woodwinds and percussion, was formed in 1977 to provide amateur musicians the opportunity to perform and improve their skills.  In 1996, the band became a non-profit organization with the further mission to provide for the education and growth of its members and audiences through the public performance of music.  Continuing financial support relies on its membersí dues, community support and ticket receipts.

Amateur musicians from the Seward Neighborhood of Minneapolis originally organized the band through the community adult education program with a matching grant from the Charles E. Mott Foundation.  Now in its third decade, it includes members from all over the metropolitan region, drawing some members from the neighboring state of Wisconsin, some 83 to 170 km distant.  The group requires no audition to join, yet challenges players at all skill levels.  The size of the group varies from year to year but currently is about 50.

When we are not playing music, we are working (or retired) teachers, computer geeks, nurses, students, doctors, lawyers, housewives (or househusbands), molecular biologists, mothers, fathers, or not.  We range in age from early college to "you shouldn't ask!"

The band rehearses once every week during the Fall, Winter and Spring, and meets occasionally during the Summer.  Public performances are given several times each year at local parks, Memorial Day programs, and at our home auditorium.

Small mixed ensembles of band members also perform at various community events such as at the Twin Cities Marathon, local fairs, building and bridge openings and weddings.  Saxophone and brass ensembles also meet and perform regularly.  Individual members also take part in orchestras for local theatrical events.

We recently had a concert tour of Europe travelling through Germany and the Czech Republic.  Forty members and relatives participated in this, the Seward Concert Band’s first European tour. There are many reasons why band members decided to make this trip.  For the group as a whole, it was a chance to extend the already warm cohesiveness of the group, a chance to play many typically American pieces of work for European audiences, and a chance to challenge the musicianship of our members before a new audience.  Motivations for participating in this trip for individual members ranged from their first trips out of the United States, to people wanting to use the language they learned years ago in school, to people returning to visit old friends and family along the tour route.  Some members wanted to get together in small groups and just play music in the streets or jam with locals.  We were all very excited at the prospect of music, travel and meeting people.