About

Band History

The Milwaukee Concert Band was formed in 1940 as part of the Civic Music Association. It was first named the "Young People's Symphonic Band." Then in 1946, it was renamed "Civic Symphonic Band." Fifty years later, on March 1, 1996, the ensemble incorporated as "Milwaukee Concert Band." The musicians in the band are volunteers; they do not get paid for their time and talent with the organization. They play because they love making music. The band has appeared in performance throughout the Milwaukee area with various local and national artists. Today, the Milwaukee Concert Band provides an outlet for talented local performers from the greater Milwaukee area to play a variety of musical styles from the classics to Broadway. We perform three public concerts per season along with private concerts at area nursing homes and a Christmas concert at the VA Medical Center. Today, the band has around 50 members with well balanced sections.

Board Members

• Theresa Moniot Olivares, President & Librarian (horn)

• Pat Hamilton, Co-Vice President (clarinet)

• Josh Schaffer, Co-Vice President (percussion)

• Martha Fergus, Treasurer (flute)

• Michael Schmitz, Secretary (trombone)

Director History

• Dr. Thomas Gamboa (2024 - present)

• Bryan Kujawa (2022 - 2024)

• Michael VanPelt (interim director 2021)

• Dr. Patricia Backhaus (2018 - 2020)

• Jeremy Davis (2016 - 2018)

• Gregory A. Schaffer (2002 - 2016)

• Dr. Nicholas J. Contorno (1997 - 2002)

• Patricia Wellman (1989 - 1997)

• Wayne Becker (1973 - 1989)

• Paul Anderson (1959 - 1973)

• Dr. Joseph Skornicka (1940 - 1959)

rev. May 2024. 

This website designed and created by Bryan Kujawa in 2022.