T he
4 th-of-J uly B and
The 4th-of-July Band was founded in the city of Redlands, California in 1981 by Mr. Curtiss B. Allen. His dual purpose was to provide music for the City's 4th-of-July celebrations and to celebrate through music the founding of this great country of ours -- The United States of America. Band personnel were volunteer instrumentalists from the community, ranging from middle-school age through senior citizen. Rehearsals began in May of 1981 and the first concert was presented in Sylvan Park on July 4th. The music consisted of marches and other appropriate selections including a rousing rendition of the Stars and Stripes Forever -- Our National March. Later that evening at University of Redlands' Ted Runner Stadium the band provided music for the flag ceremony, our National Anthem and a concert of incidental selections prior to the Fireworks Show at 9pm. The band's music at the park and stadium that first year were so favorably received by the enthusiastic crowds that it was decided to repeat the concerts the following year.
That was the beginning of The Redlands Fourth-of-July Band as it exists today. Each year since 1981 the band has continued to grow in numbers, expand its musical repertoire and improve the level of individual musicianship. The Sylvan Park afternoon concerts and the University of Redlands evening stadium performances on the 4th of July have become a joy-filled Redlands tradition. In 1987 the band was provided with a permanent home in Sylvan Park -- A Bandstand funded by the local Optimists Club (scroll to Sylvan Park).
In 2020 the Bandstand underwent a major "revitalization" by the City to provide security within the Park during the off season by "locking it up" and to discourage vandalism. This ensures that the Bandstand will remain in good order for the Band's performances on the 4th-of-July, and still remain available for other community or family functions during the year, presumably on a rental basis.
So Let The Day Begin!
Over the past four decades the band has provided music for a variety of other community events. These have included pre-Fourth-of-July concerts in the Santa Fe Depot Colonnade, several Kimberly Crest and Heritage Park Observances (scroll to Kimberly Crest and Heritage Park), the Redlands Bowl, Veteran's Day observances at the local Eternal Flame (scroll to Eternal Flame). World Communion Sunday services, the Redlands Quilt and Flower Shows, the Perris Railway Museum, the Lincoln Shrine, and the Smiley Library rededication (scroll to The Smiley Library). The band has grown in numbers to an average of 60 to 80 musicians by the 4th-of-July. It is composed entirely of volunteers, no fees have ever been charged for membership and no auditions have ever been held. It is a Community Band in the truest sense.
It
has been a personal joy to be part of the annual 4th of July celebrations in Redlands. For us who have ever been part
of the Redlands 4th-of-July Band, we owe it all to Curtiss Allen, Sr., for his personal dream-come-true, vision and tenacity, and for his
love of Band Music, the City of Redlands and his Country. With God's help, The Band will continue
its calling for Many Years to Come.......
Proverbs 16:3
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."
Staff
Support Staff
Current Personnel
Sponsors
The Band is sponsored by the Redlands Fourth of July Committee and First Baptist Church of Redlands. Our Rehearsals are held in the basement of the Church's Fellowship Hall on Sundays from 3pm to 4:30pm. The Church provides us with much needed storage space for our Equipment and Percussion Instruments.
The Redlands 4th of July Band on Facebook
Contact Us
Information about the Band can be obtained by sending an email to the given address. Emails are welcomed and we will try to be prompt in responding. Founding Member Michael Shea is the WebMaster and Band Historian. Submission of pictures, or comments concerning the Band, its History or the WebSite are always welcome.
☀ Michael Shea: ultonafan792@gmail.com ☀
[Tartan of County Kerry, Ireland]
The Pandemic is Still Upon Us.
The COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS UPON US. On MARCH 3, 2020, THE CITY OF REDLANDS AND THE 4TH-OF-JULY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THAT THE 4TH-OF-JULY CELEBRATIONS IN REDLANDS FOR 2020 were to be CANCELLED. FIREWORKS AT MOORE JR.HIGH -- NO SPECTATORS! -- WHAT A DRAG!
Stay Tuned for Developments. A MIRACLE! THE BAND had A 2021 41ST SEASON afterall! TWO CONCERTS IN SYLVAN PARK ON THE 4TH! The 2020 Season will go into the books as CANCELLED. See the History Page for 2021 and a YouTube video titled "Redlands 4th of July Fireworks Show 2021"
BUT WAIT!
Remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. With Faith and Hope, take "A Walk to Paradise Garden" with these children.
Anticipated Schedule for our 42nd Season, 2022
START OF REHEARSALS!! -- TBA -- April/May? -- Basement of First Baptist Church -- 3pm until 4:30pm.FIRST TUESDAY IN JUNE -- Plymouth Village Strawberry Festival -- TBA - A one hour Concert (our Shake-Down Concert) for those residents of the Village who would find it difficult or impossible to attend the Festivities at Sylvan Park on the 4th.- JULY 4th --
Sylvan Park Bandstand- 11:30 to Noon: Flag-Raising Ceremony conducted by the Boy Scouts, and singing of the National Anthem. This is followed bytwo 45 minute Concerts at Noon and 1:15 . FIREWORKS -- It remains to be announced whether or not a Fireworks Show will be held at Ted Runner Stadium in 2022 or in the years to come. If so, we will continue to provide Patriotic Music for the Flag Ceremony, singing of the National Anthem and a 30 minute Concert prior to the Fireworks Show at 9pm
!The 4th of July!
It is a Wonderful, Exhausting, and Joy-filled Day!
July 4th, 2022 will be our 42nd Season
In 1870 the Congress of the United States established July 4th as Independance Day and as a Federal Holiday. See July 4th at History.com.
Player Information and Expectations
You PROMISE to PRACTICE your instrument EVERY day and BE at EVERY rehearsal!
Links
- Associations
- Bands
- Resources
- Historic Bands and Bandsmen
- Member Websites
The Fourth of July
Pencil Sketch by Michael Shea -- 1987
Band Poster by Michael Shea, Water Damaged and Permanently Retired
The above rope-tension snare drum was designed and crafted by Mr. Stephen Spiller and is on loan to the Band for exclusive use by Michael Shea - Percussion Section Leader.
The above whistle is used on "Floatin' Down to Cotton Town" played by the 4th-of-July Band. It was uploaded to YouTube on Jul 27, 2010 by Band Member Steuart Goodwin -- "Several years ago I built a steam whistle sound effect using five organ pipes and a hand-operated bellows. The whistle is featured in the selection" See the the VIDEO PAGE
