To the Journal editor:

On the evening of Aug. 9 at the Presque Isle Band Shell, the inaugural Upper Peninsula Community Band performed for an enthusiastic crowd of over 700 music lovers.

With a quest to keep live performances of band music in the forefront the Negaunee City Band, the Marquette City Band and the U.P. Community Band flawlessly performed a wide variety of musical selections.

As the president of the Negaunee City Band, I want to publicly commend Ben Bohnsack, president of the Marquette City Band, Dr. Steve Grugin, director of the Marquette City Band, and the countless volunteers who helped to make this very first Community Band Festival a resounding success!

Your attention to the many details and your execution of those details was very impressive.

The concept of bringing together musicians from all over the U.P. and lower Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Louisiana, Utah, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois was outstanding. Many positive comments from fellow musicians will bring them back to Marquette for repeat performances. A job well done!

The Negaunee City Band and its director, D. Keith Lawson, were honored to be included in the program. Like the Marquette City Band and the many fellow musicians we shared the stage with, it is a privilege to share our talents with our communities and keep band music “live” and well.

Gerry Anderson, president

Negaunee City Band