A change in the city's funding for the Le Mars Municipal Band could result in fewer concerts for the 2009 season. The City of Le Mars will contribute up to $7,500 to the band, but that must be matched dollar-for-dollar by donations. [Click to enlarge]

The Le Mars Municipal Band, which presents concerts in Foster Park during June and July, is being hit with a financial cutback from the City of Le Mars.

In past years, the City of Le Mars has funded the band to the tune of $5,000, with an additional $2,500 given in matching funds.

For the fiscal year 2008-09 which began July 1, the city will match up to $7,500, meaning the band must come up with matching funds from the first dollar raised, with the city's contribution only equal to the amount of donations the band receives.

At the July 4th concert in Foster Park, director Jerry Bertrand spoke to the crowd about the financial problem facing the band.

"You may remember Professor Hill from 'The Music Man,'" Bertrand started. "At the end of that musical, the mayor asks 'Where's the band?' You may be asking that question next year about the Le Mars Municipal Band," he said.

After explaining the funding change, Bertrand looked out at the audience.

"Now it's on your shoulders if you want a band season next year," Bertrand said. As of July 1, 2008, the band has money for one concert for the 2009 summer season.

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"The Municipal Band has been a Le Mars tradition for 102 years. What a tragedy it would be if we could not afford to present concerts in the summer. It's like a page out of the beginning of the 20th century - a beautiful carousel, people coming to play in the band, and people sitting on the grass enjoying treats and the music," Bertrand said. "We ask you to be generous in your donations."

"Right now we have to deal with what we got," Bertrand said of the city funding.

Bertrand noted the band is not a fundraising entity, but now finds itself in the position of needing to ask for donations in order to continue. Band members include students, area musicians, music professors, professional musicians, as well as music lovers who enjoy being part of a highly-regarded musical organization.

Members travel from Marcus, Hawarden, Correctionville, Paullina, Remsen, Orange City, Sioux Center, and Sioux City as well as from the Le Mars area to rehearsals on Tuesday evenings and present the concert each Wednesday (Saturday for Ice Cream Days).

"We have a core of people full-time in the band, with some changes every year. The majority of the people in the band are still from the Le Mars area," Bertrand said.

A typical concert costs about $1,700 to present, according to Bertrand. This includes the rehearsal as well as pay for the director, instrumentalists, librarian, set-up crew, announcer, sound technician, publicist and treasurer.

The Le Mars Municipal Band is one of the oldest bands in northwest Iowa, even older than the Sioux City Municipal Band. The band has presented six concerts each summer since 1998, with seven concerts given in 1993 and eight summer concerts in 1992. The reduction in the number of concerts came about due to reduced funding from the City of Le Mars.

The Le Mars Municipal Band has been a major part of community activities such as the Memorial Day Service, Ice Cream Days, and the July 4th celebration. In addition, nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to sell refreshments at the band concerts, enhancing their treasuries and their visibility in the community.

Jim Bogenrief, who was a member of the band for 61 years, continues to serve as the band's treasurer. Donations to the Le Mars Municipal Band may be sent to Bogenrief at: 29041 270th St., Merrill, Iowa 51038 or given to Bertrand, announcer the Rev. Gary Landsness or any band member at the two remaining concerts, July 9 and 16, in Foster Park.