The Meire Grove Community Band will present a concert in the Staples Music in the Park series on Sund ay, July 18, at 7 p.m. The series is made possible with a gift from the Staples Host Lions Club. The Meire Grove Community Band will present a concert in the Staples Music in the Park series on Sunday, July 18, at 7 p.m.

The concert is in the Northern Pacific (NP) Park located at 625 6th St. NE. Due to a road construction project, those who are coming to the concert from Highway 10 should exit on 4th Street, proceed north to the water tower and turn right to 6th St. In case of rain, the concerts will be moved to Centennial Auditorium.

For more information on the Music in the Park Series and other concerts in the area, check out the Staples Motley Area Arts Council’s website at www. staplesmotleyarts.org

The Meire Grove Community Band represents a rich history and tradition that once flourished in nearly every Minnesota small town. Located in Stearns County with a population of only 125 people, this small farming community boasts of having the oldest, continuously-performing community band in the state of Minnesota. The band was organized in 1883.

The current director is Vern Meyer, who is in his 54th year of wielding the baton. After graduating from St. John’s University, Meyer served as a high school band director in Bertha-Hewitt and Melrose until the lure of the land and a life style called him back to the family farm.

It is truly amazing that only four men have led the Meire Grove Band during its 124 years. The first director was Nicholas Bohnen, with the Meyer family taking over the baton in the early years. Herman H. Meyer, Vern’s grandfather took the baton after Bohnen. Vern’s uncle, George Baltes, led the band from 1914, to 1956, when Vern took over the directorship.

Featuring music from traditional Sousa marches to concert music, the Meire Grove Band is a hit with listeners of all ages.

The tie of the Meyer family is to the town of Meire Grove, as well as the band. The community was settled by the Meyer family and the town was intended to bear the family name. Unfortunately, it was a three day horse ride to the county seat in those days and somehow the spelling got changed, perhaps due to some diversion along the way.Family and friends are an essential element to the band’s longevity and success. Many families have more than one member in the band, several from more than one generation. Others come from out-oftown to play with friends and neighbors and just to have a good time. Vern’s two sisters, a son, two daughters, a son-in-law, four grandchildren, a niece and two grand nieces currently play under his leadership.

Orv and Marge Meyer, Staples, have a daughter and two grandchildren in the Meire Grove Band. Orv is Vern’s brother and also grew up in Meire Grove.

Most members begin when they are in junior high school, around the age of 12 or 13 and the band includes members in their 70’s and 80’s. Several members have performed with the band for over 50 years. Membership numbers in the 30’s and 40’s, depending upon who is available for each performance or parade.

Everyone lends a hand when the band performs, from driving truck and trailer in parades, transporting instruments, chairs and music stands to performances, to those who stay behind to cover farm chores when members have out-of-town performances.

The band performs a few times each summer and recently began a more extensive summer schedule with parades and concerts in several Minnesota communities, including Melrose, Sauk Centre, Greenwald, Olivia, Hoffman, Staples and the Stearns County Fair. In 2006, the band ended their summer’s season with a home concert in Meire Grove honoring Vern for his 50 years of leadership.

The Music in the Park Series is funded by the Staples Host Lions Club. The Series is organized by the Staples Motley Area Arts Council with the assistance of the Staples Motley Public Schools and the City of Staples.