CENTRAL KENTUCKY CONCERT BAND

The Central Kentucky Concert Band is widely recognized as the  premier, adult concert band in the Commonwealth, as well as one of the  finest ensembles of its nature in the southeastern United States. The  CKCB has benefited historically from the support of the Kentucky Arts  Council, LexArts, the Scott County Council of the Arts, Georgetown  College, Asbury College and Transylvania University.

Having been founded in February of 1976 by Peter Martin and Dennis Van Horn. These visionaries wanted to form an ensemble – “for the hundreds of individuals who play wind or percussion instruments and enjoy playing, yet have no other performing outlet”. Martin was quoted in the April 14, 1976 Lexington Herald‑Leader as saying, “There  is an excitement in concert band that you don’t get in any other phase  of music making … members come to rehearsal because they want to be  there. There is no other reason than their love of music”.

Originally formed as the “Bluegrass Concert Band”, the name was soon  changed to the Central Kentucky Concert Band as the ensemble began to  attract players from throughout the Commonwealth, as well as southern  Ohio and West Virginia. Today, the ensemble thrives as it boasts a  membership united by a common love of music making. Current personnel  includes people from all walks of life and represented in the band are  attorneys, veterinarians, engineers, pharmacists, business owners,  secretaries, civil servants, homemakers and public school and collegiate  teachers. The continuing goal of the CKCB is to provide a plethora of  experiences that prove to be musically rewarding and personally  enjoyable for the players and audience members alike.

The Central Kentucky Concert Band performs three “regular season”  concerts each year, as well as maintaining an invigorating summer “pops”  schedule. Classic works by Grainger, Holst, Vaughan Williams, Arnold,  Sousa, King, Fillmore, Rossini, Offenbach, Verdi, Orff, De Nardis.  Brahms, Bach and Beethoven – as well as modern works by Margolis,  Gillingham, Whiteacre, Camphouse, Giroux, Holsinger and many others may  be found on the band’s recent play lists. Outstanding soloists are a  part of the CKCB’s regular concert offerings, and recent guest artists  include Ryan Shirar, Angelique Clay, Jay Flippin, Vince DiMartino, Earle  Louder, Richard Cryder, Angela Easterday, the SYMBIOSISDUO [Stacey  Baker, Tuba and Gail Robertson, Euphonium], Othello Pumphrey, William  Bryant and others.