Clearfield strikes note summoning musicians for community band

CLEARFIELD — The community council here is calling all local musicians to help strike up its new band.

Plans for a Clearfield Community band are marching on and a handful of Clearfield residents met this month to discuss the details of the new community band.

The band would perform at various city functions including the city's annual Fourth of July parade.

"We're planning a lot more events this year where we're having more opportunity for a band," said Marliss Scott, a Clearfield City public relations/special events coordinator.

Scott said the new events will include a Clearfield Champion Days, a Taste of Clearfield Lunch Hour and a student art night.

Clearfield resident Leona Strong, who does directing and producing for the city's theater department, said she would help the band get on its feet. But Scott said the city is looking for a permanent director to spearhead the band. The director position may also have a stipend, she said.

During the band formation meeting, Saturday, Dec. 3, residents discussed what instruments the band should have and decided on several including a bell, triangle, timpani, a snare, a bass drum, a trombone, a French horn, a tuba, a saxophone, a clarinet, a flute, a clarinet, an oboe and a piccolo. They also talked about playing in the parade while on a flatbed trailer rather than marching.

Trumpet player Claude Atkinson, who has played for an American Legion band, church band, jazz band and a community band, is excited about the possibility of having a musical opportunity close by.

"I found out there was an Ogden band, but I didn't want to drive that far," Atkinson said. "So, when I heard there was this opportunity, I jumped at it."

Atkinson said Clearfield is the first place he has been where he couldn't play.

Angela Sedgwick is anxious to dust off her instrument. She played clarinet at her high school in Colorado and then at Weber State University.

"I just miss playing my clarinet so I thought, 'Uh, what the heck,' " Sedgwick said about coming to the meeting.

The residents also discussed ideas of how to get more people involved in the band. The city is looking for local musicians — they don't just have to be Clearfield residents — of all ages and levels. Anyone interested in more information can contact Scott or Natalee Flynn in the Clearfield Community Services Department at 525-2796.

Scott said the band may begin meeting as early as January.

"This is just the beginning," Scott said while closing the meeting."We're going to take off. They are going to be talking about the Clearfield band."

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E-mail: nclemens@desnews.com