The Hilton-Parma Gazebo Band, under the direction of Charles P. Schmidt, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a concert on Wednesday, June 18 at the Gazebo in Centeninal Park at the Hilton Village Community Center. The concert will launch the band’s 31st season of summer concerts. The series of free public concerts will be held on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (rain or shine) on the following dates: June 18, June 25, July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30. The band will also be playing on Sunday, July 20 in Pultneyville, at 1:30 p.m. The annual Patriotic Concert in Hilton will be played on July 2. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy each concert. The band plays a variety of musical styles, including traditional marches, popular music, Broadway and movie themes, patriotic music, as well as solo features.
The Gazebo Band was founded and first directed by Hilton music educator Gordon Bascom. The original group of approximately a dozen players performed for the Village of Hilton Centennial celebration and the dedication of the Gazebo at Centennial Park. The band’s current conductor, Charles Schmidt, is in his sixth year of directing the band. Mary Reazor, the sole remaining charter member of the band, functions as the band’s manager, music librarian, and lead trombonist.
The Gazebo Band is an all-volunteer organization that relies primarily on donations from the community. The band is comprised of many dedicated musicians from across Monroe and Orleans counties, who rehearse from March 1 through July in order to make the free summer concerts possible. In recent years, the band has expanded its schedule to include a fall rehearsal season and holiday concerts. From its beginning, the band’s primary purpose has been to give area adult musicians a place to enjoy their musical gifts and at the same time share them with the broader community.
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