by Lorie Lewis Ham

The Kingsburg City Band was founded in 1887 and is one of the oldest community bands in the United States. The Band is still going strong, providing free music for your summer enjoyment every year. I recently chatted with Dale Engstrom, who has been the Kingsburg City Band Director for 48 years, to learn more.

KRL: How long have you been involved with the band, and when and how did you become involved?

Dale: This is my 48th consecutive year of conducting the band. My father (Wally Engstrom) was the conductor before me. I played trumpet in the band about 10 years before taking over conducting, so I guess this would be about 58 years being involved in the band.

KRL: What is your background in music?

Dale: My parents were both music teachers. I started playing the trumpet at age 5. I started teaching music in 1979. Basically the first half of my career was teaching at Kingsburg High School and the second half was teaching at Fresno City College.

KRL: How big is the band?

Dale: We average around 60 musicians each week.

KRL: Wow that’s a lot! What types of instruments are in the band?

Dale: It is your typical concert band – woodwinds, brass, percussion

KRL: What kind of music do you play? How do you choose the music?

Dale: We have a guest soloist every concert, so the repertoire is somewhat based on their style and preferences. Besides that, we do a lot of the standard band music – marches, musicals, patriotic etc. We play everything from Sousa to Stravinsky!

KRL: Is everyone a volunteer?

Dale: The band members get a small stipend that basically covers gas.

KRL: How does someone become a member of the band?

Dale: Usually on recommendation. They have to be out of high school and have pretty good skills in sight reading. Most of our musicians have played in college. We play 12 pieces at each concert with only one rehearsal and perform 6 different concerts each summer.

KRL: What is the age span of the band’s members?

Dale: 18 to 80 years old.

KRL: What do you and the others like best about being a part of this band?

Dale: The music community is very tight. Most players have played in various groups with each other and enjoy making music together. I try to keep the music challenging for the musicians yet accessible to the audience.

KRL: Does anything else happen at these concerts such as food trucks and stalls?

Dale: We have a Farmer’s Market from 5 to 8 p.m. before every concert with food trucks, produce, gifts etc. The band concert begins at 8 p.m. Both are free.

KRL: And do you always have guest singers?

Dale: We have a new soloist at each of our 6 concerts. This year every soloist happens to be a vocalist.

Dale also shared with us some more about the Band’s history.

Kingsburg City Band History

The Kingsburg Summer Band has a long and impressive history. Founded in 1887 it is one of the oldest community bands in the United States. The group has a tradition of presenting quality programs that please the young and old, alike. Each concert features a guest soloist, conductor or small group. The musical selections vary from Sousa to Stravinsky. The free concerts begin at 8:00 PM on Thursday nights in the beautiful Kingsburg Memorial Park. Head east on Sierra (Conejo) off of highway 99 to Memorial Park across from the high school.

The first director of the band was a Swede by the name of Mr. Claus. He was a cornet player and led the first band of 14 musicians in 1887 at the railway platform. Today’s band boasts approximately 70 members in the remodeled band shell.

There has been a total of 30 directors in their 139-year history. The current and longest standing director of the group is Dale Engstrom. This will be his 48th year as director of the band. The band is made up of farmers, doctors, professional and semi-professional musicians, bankers, you name it! They all share the common goal of loving to make beautiful music together. The City of Kingsburg, the Chamber of Commerce and various patrons help support this long-standing, family-oriented tradition.

For more information contact the Kingsburg Chamber Of Commerce at kingsburgchamber.com. There are 3 remaining concerts this summer.

All photos provided by Kingsburg City Band.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet. Lorie’s latest mystery series is set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre! Book 1, One of Us, and Book 2, One of You, are both available to purchase–links on her website.