Press Release

City of Lakes Community Band Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary Year with Spring Concert Spectacular, New Giving Campaign, and Special Guest Conductors

January 6, 2026

Minneapolis, MN — The City of Lakes Community Band (CLCB) is proud to announce the celebration of its 45th Anniversary Year, marking more than four decades of community music-making, artistic growth, and service to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul region. Founded in 1981, CLCB remains dedicated to its mission of Community in Concert, providing high-quality performances and a welcoming musical home for adult musicians across the metro area.

The 45th anniversary season opens with Community in Concert on March 3, a program centered on the idea that music is strongest when it reflects and strengthens the communities it serves. This concert will highlight works that speak to collective experience, shared responsibility, and the unifying role of music in challenging and hopeful times. This event will honor the ensemble’s rich history, highlight its evolving artistry, and celebrate the countless musicians, directors, and supporters who have shaped the band over the last 45 years. The concert will feature a special lineup of guest conductors who will join CLCB exclusively for this performance. These distinguished musical leaders will bring fresh perspectives and interpretations to the podium, offering audiences a unique and memorable anniversary experience.

In recognition of this historic year, CLCB is also launching the $45 for 45 Campaign. Supporters are invited to contribute $45 in honor of each year since the band’s founding. Funds raised through this initiative will support the purchase of an integral new instrument that will strengthen the ensemble’s sound and expand future programming possibilities. The campaign underscores CLCB’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence and to investing in the tools that sustain lifelong musicianship.

The 45th Anniversary Year will also include opportunities for audiences and supporters to reflect on CLCB’s history as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, revisit archival moments, and celebrate the band’s evolving identity. The appearance of guest conductors at the Spring Concert will serve as a tribute to the collaborative roots of the community band tradition and an exciting highlight of this milestone celebration.

For more information about the 45th Anniversary Spectacular or the $45 for 45 Campaign, visit www.cityoflakesband.org.