About Us

Community Involvement

The band feels strongly that part of its mission be to serve the community.  This is accomplished in many ways, which include the following:

  • Assisted Living Facility Holiday Performances
  • Holiday Concert with Food Drive (collecting over 500 lbs. of food for Lemont Food Pantries)
  • Summer Park Concerts
  • Annual Participation in Lemont Multi-Denominational Thanksgiving Service
  • Annual Band Day for Junior High/Middle School Students
  • Annual Summer Band Camp for grades 6 through 9

Mission Statement

  • To offer the highest quality of music instruction and performance opportunities for local musicians.
  • To provide our community with a high quality musical experience with a diverse repertoire.
  • To encourage and promote a high caliber of musicianship among the students of our community

 

Musical Director

Ray Forlenza joined the band in 1988 through and invitation by the conductor at that time, Leo Henning. Forlenza had been a student of Henning at St. Laurence High School, and eventually became assistant conductor of the band. When Henning retired, in 2000, Forlenza was the natural choice to succeed in the leadership of the band.

Forlenza completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Chicago’s VanderCook College of Music. He is employed as band director for Kirby School District 140, in Tinley Park, and plays regularly with several area bands and cultural groups.

Summer Band CampForlenza has been instrumental in promoting music education through the SWCCB Outreach Program. In 1996, he was responsible for startingthe Annual Band Day and Summer Band Camp events. Over the years, this program, held annually in January, has enlightened over 1000 junior high/middle school students. In 2007, under the leadership of Forlenza, the SWCCB Summer Band Camp was initiated.

 

HISTORY

Founded in the Fall of 1981, the Southwest Community Concert Band had its beginnings under the direction of Milton Potter with just twenty musicians.  Through the next 19 years, the baton changed hands just three times to Neil Dunlap, Leo Henning, and in 2000 to its current conductor, Ray Forlenza. The Bands membership has expanded to include amateur and professional musicians from over 30 Chicagoland communities.

A few of the bands highlights include:

1990: Cavalcade of Bands

The band conceived the idea of the Cavalcade of Bands, a festival for adult community bands.  The band hosted the event for 15 years.

1996: Started Band Day Outreach Program for Young Musicians

Our outreach program began with the Southwest Community Concert Band Band Day for Kids.  This popular event held each January draws over 100 elementary, junior high and middle school band students from over 40 schools in the region.  The one-day festival is non-competitive, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn and perform music to challenge their abilities.

2006: The band's 25th Anniversary

In celebration of the band's 25th Anniversary, famed Texas composer William Owens was commissioned to write Exaltation which as premiered in June, 2006, under the direction of the composer.  The piece made its world debut at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic in December 2006.

 

Summer Band Camp2007: Started Annual Summer Band Camp Outreach Program for Young Musicians

The 1st Annual Summer Band Camp starts as an extension of the Southwest Community Concert Band Outreach Program for young musicians.

2008: 12th Annual Band Day

The 12 Annual Band Day will be held on January 19th and the 2nd Annual Summer Band Camp will be held Monday through Friday, July 7th – 11th, 2008!
Don’t forget to mark your calendars!

 

The Southwest Community Concert Band in conjunction with NazArts is proud to have sponsored our Outreach Programs.  For more information on the upcoming Southwest Community Concert Band season continue to view our web site.