This is another in a series of concerts performed by the band each year, played by musicians from the length of the Arkansas Valley, including Rocky Ford, Pueblo, Fowler, Ordway, La Junta, and Las Animas.
The Conductor of the band is Mark Emery, now retired, who for 42 years was an instructor and conductor of bands, grades six through 12, at Colorado schools, including Haxton, Antonito, and finally Pueblo County.
Now he makes music in a wide variety of situations, including the band performance at the Grand Theatre May 20.
"He makes everyone feel important and valued," says a member of the Arkansas Valley band, who has played with the band since its inception nine years ago and cites this as a reason for loyalty of members.
In turn, Mr. Emery says, "This band is one of the best things in the week for me because the people are so wonderful." Emery drives the distance to and from Pueblo West each Monday to meet the all-volunteer company of musicians at Fowler High School where they practice.
His enjoyment is also supported, he says, by the encouragement of his wife Ellen.
Emery grew up in Boulder and earned his Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado.
Honors he has received during his career include being named to the Colorado Bandmasters Hall of Fame, the Blossom Festival Hall of Fame, and leading his high school bands to six state championships in marching band.
In summers, he teaches at Fountain-Ft. Carson; he directs the Pueblo Sun City Marching Band; and he directs the Pueblo Municipal Band. He is a judge of concert bands, marching bands, and jazz bands, and works for the Colorado Bandmasters Association as "Director of Operations," managing all personnel who help with the State Marching Band Festival.
In his "spare" time, he is self-employed in "Percussion Concepts Welding," creating and building carts and stands for any marching band equipment that can't be carried by musicians on the field at halftimes and must remain on the sidelines.
The Grand Theatre is Located at
405 S Main St, Rocky Ford, CO 81067
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