Profile
The history of the community band in Muncie goes back to the 1870's with the Lockwood Band. The present band, formed in 1985, is the latest in a rich legacy of providing this musical public service.
Concert Band:
This is a traditional concert band of 50-60 musicians. Complete with all the bells and whistles, we use percussion, woodwind, and brass players on instruments such as drums, flutes, and horns.
Ceremonial Band:
This is a band of 25-30 musicians that performs for smaller civic functions such as the Memorial Day Service. All sections of the band are represented in this group, but in smaller numbers.
Jazz Band:
Directed by Dr. Phillip Cooley, this is a group that plays popular big band tunes for special occasions like the USO Dance, held every year before the 4th of July. We have saxes, trumpets, trombones, and percussion to liven up your evening and get the joint jumpin'.
Chamber Ensembles:
These groups are heard throughout the year and consist of 4-10 players. For example, we have both a flute choir and a trombone choir who play special arrangements of classical and popular tunes.
Mission & Vision
- To promote the enjoyment of Concert and Jazz Band music throughout Muncie and Delaware county.
- To provide opportunities for local music professionals, educators, and amateurs to perform for their own enjoyment and for the pleasure and cultural enrichment of the citizens in the community.
- To present concert and performances to enhance the cultural spirit and prestige of our community.
Our Musical Directors
Roger McConnell -Concert Band
Roger McConnell has been the Music Director of America's Hometown Band since 1986. His professional career has centered around music in the Muncie/ Ball State Community since 1971 with conducting and performing in many venues. The collaboration with his long time friend Phillip Cooley resulted in the present founding of the AHB, formerly know as the Muncie Municipal Band, an a American Federation of Musician, Local #245 Concert Band. McConnell has served as a Professor and Director in Bands since 1967 at Ball State University, Western Kentucky and Indiana University. He presently is a music history lecturer at the BSU School of Music and enjoys many activities associated with music and the promotion of Ball State. He has a daughter on the staff of Loyal Marymount University in Los Angles, and a son studying at the University of Washington in Seattle. He shares the excitement of the AHB Board that the best is yet to come with America's Hometown Band.
Photo by BSU Photo Services
Philip Cooley - Jazz Band
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Will Frazier -Assistant Director
Will Frazier is Assistant Director and Librarian of America's Hometown Band. Will is a frequent trombone soloist with America's Hometown Concert Band and Big Band. Will also performs as a freelance jazz trombonist and bassist throughout the state of Indiana. Will is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Ball State University where he earned a Masters Degree in trombone performance and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. While at Ball State, Will directed the Studio Jazz Ensemble and combo program, taught private trombone and jazz improvisation, and coordinated the annual Dimensions in Jazz Festival. Will performed with the national tour of Oliver the Musical, a European tour of A Chorus Line, My Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Lorna Luft, Dom Deluise, the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, the Eddy Howard Orchestra, the Ted Weems Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Wayne Bergeron, Chuck Findley, Michael Davis, Andy Martin and Marcus Printup. While living in New York City, Will performed in numerous big bands, orchestras, brass quintets and show bands. Will also did tours with Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
