On Sunday, November 10 at 4 p.m., the Gainesville Community Band directed by Gerald Poe will present a Veterans Day concert at First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. Included on this program are patriotic songs including The Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, Armed Forces Salute, and marches by John Philip Sousa.
The Band was founded in 1974 with eleven members. In 1978, the Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution designating the GCB as the Official Community Band of Gainesville. It is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with a current a roster of about 80 members, made up of teachers, professors, scientists, business professionals, students, physicians, contractors, realtors, trades-persons, and retirees. It is a member of the Association of Concert Bands and is actively involved in a number of community events, including the Heart of Florida Air Show, Fantasy Land Stage at Walt Disney World and free public concerts at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Florida Campus.
Dr. Poe retired in 2004 after 38 years in public schools of Alachua County and was appointed Musical Director of the Gainesville Community Band. He received his B.A. from Western State College, Colorado; M.M. Ed. from Florida State University, and D.M.A. from the University of Colorado. Prior to teaching in Alachua County, he was Director of Bands at the universities of Florida, Colorado, Oregon, and Portland, Oregon, and taught public school in California and Colorado. In 1984, he was in charge of the pre-game entertainment of Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa. He remains active in Florida Music Educators, Music Educators National Conference, Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Association of Concert Bands.
A free-will offering will be received to benefit St. Francis House and Arbor House.
Convenient, ample, and free parking will be provided in the church parking lot. For more information, please call 352-378-1527.