The Medalist Concert Band, a volunteer group of 70 musicians from the Twin Cities area, was founded in the fall of 1968 and performed its first concert on January 27, 1969. The band’s goals are to provide adult musicians with performance opportunities, deliver outstanding concerts to Bloomington and surrounding communities, and inspire young musicians by modeling music as a lifelong hobby.
Since its founding, the Medalist Concert Band has given over 1,000 performances, many in partnership with high school and college bands. The Medalist season runs from September through July, averaging 16 concerts annually, including four as part of the Bloomington Center for the Arts Performance Series. Additional venues include schools, churches, and senior centers. During June and July, the band performs in parks across the Twin Cities.
The Medalist Concert Band, praised by the National Band Association as “one of the foremost community bands in the nation,” continues to set the standard for excellence. With standout performances at music conventions and international tours in Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany, the band consistently earns recognition, including earning the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award, which honors the top two community bands in the U.S. each year.
Dedicated to advancing the skills of musicians throughout their lives, the Medalist Concert Band proudly leads and supports a variety of educational initiatives. In 2009-2010, the band founded the Earl C. Benson Concerto Competition for high school band students, with the winner performing as a featured soloist with the band and receiving a $1,000 scholarship. In 2018, Medalist launched an annual Band Camp for students entering sixth grade, expanding to include seventh graders in 2024. Medalist band members work with Bloomington music educators to plan and administer the camp, held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts. The band also participates in workshops with music educators in training, offering them the opportunity to conduct a full ensemble under the guidance of mentors.
Financial support for the Medalist Concert Band is provided by the City of Bloomington, the Medalist Fine Arts Association, and various donors, with special thanks to Allan and Deborah Schneider, Schmitt Music, and Groth Music.
For more information about the Medalist Concert Band, contact Jerry Luckhardt, conductor and artistic director.
Upcoming Performances
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