Growing up in the Sacramento Area and having gone to parades, I'm sure I have heard the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band play at least a handful of times. But when I heard them play at the Howl-O-Ween event in October, it dawned on me how SPECIAL it is to have a city marching band! Music is the icing on the cake at any event, and we are so lucky to have this local group! I reached out to the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB) to learn more about them and Kody Tickner, the band Director, was happy to do a Q&A. Have a little read below and find out what makes the CHCMB so GREAT!
Q: When was the CHCMB started and why?
A: The CHCMB was started in 2005 by Kathy Cook, who was a volunteer with the Citrus Heights Red, White, and Blue Parade. Kathy believed that the only thing missing from the parade each year was a marching band, and she sought to create one. With the help of the City of Citrus Heights and the Sunrise Recreation and Park District, Kathy was able to form the CHCMB for its first performance on June 25th, 2005. The band continued to perform in the parade each year, adding new performances throughout the Sacramento region every year.
Q: About how many events do you do a year and what types?
A: Before the 2020 pandemic, the CHCMB participated in upwards of 20 events per year, including patriotic and holiday parades, community festivals, and marching band competitions. We were one of the first music programs to resume operations after the world shut down in 2020, and we decided to change our focus to make membership less busy and demanding for our members, and we opted to bring the full band (roughly 65 people) to about 12 events per year, and to create a smaller "pep band" which could perform in smaller events with less logistical support.
Q: Do you have any days the public can listen to you play or rehearse, outside of scheduled events?
A: The CHCMB meets once per week at the Bill and Kathy Cook Performing Arts Center, located at 8436 Jewel Way, off Twin Oaks Avenue in Citrus Heights, from 6 to 8pm. We love having the public come see us practice and perform, and we encourage anyone who played music in their youth to give it another try with us! There are no fees to be a part of the CHCMB as a performer or a volunteer. Even the use of our instruments is free! Come play with us!
Q: How is the CHCMB funded?
A: The CHCMB is proud to host fundraising events which are some of the largest and most well-organized activities in our region! We host a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser every March where we serve homemade spaghetti, side dishes, and desserts to roughly 800 guests at the Citrus Heights Community Center. In addition to dinner service, we also have a huge raffle where local businesses and community members donate over 100 gifts which are raffled to raise funds for the CHCMB.
We also host the "Howl O' Ween" Parade and Harvest Festival every October. Starting with a 3/4 mile parade along Auburn Blvd featuring community organizations, neighborhood associations, schools, and local businesses all dressed up in their spookiest Halloween costumes. The parade turns into Rusch Park where our guests are greeted by dozens of craft vendors, live music, and a huge classic car show.
All of these events help the CHCMB maintain our inventory of musical equipment which is free for all of our members to use, and our operational expenses including insurance, and business/accounting costs.
Q: How can our community best support the CHCMB?
A: Join us! Our members are our biggest asset. Many of our members are new to music, while a majority of them were musicians in school, and stepped away from music to hold careers and raise families, finding their musical talent once again in the CHCMB. Our youngest members are typically in Junior High School, and our oldest member turns 92 in July!
Even if you don't play an instrument, the CHCMB always needs volunteers to help with events, equipment, and uniforms. It's a fun, low-impact way to get involved in the community, make friends, and be part of something truly meaningful.
Q: What instruments do you play?
A: My primary instrument is the Tuba, and I regularly play all other Brasswind instruments including the Trumpet, Trombone, and Baritone Horn. I started playing Trombone in 7th Grade, and have remained active in music for over 27 years!
Q: How many members do you have and what are the qualifications for joining the CHCMB?
A: The CHCMB experienced a surge of growth during the recent global pandemic. Prior to 2020, the band averaged around 40 musicians. But, due to the lack of active music programs, many local musicians opted to join the CHCMB because our community leaders believed in our plans to practice and perform, while maintaining a safe environment. Since 2020, we have grown to roughly 65 active members.
The qualifications for joining the CHCMB are simple: Be a good person with a willingness to better yourself and your community. We encourage beginning and returning musicians to participate with us, and while we are not a "professional" music program, many advanced musicians perform regularly with us, including career musicians and school band teachers. Although we are a "marching band," many of our members don't actually march. We welcome people of any musical or physical ability who want to participate in our seated concerts or our low-impact parade performances.
Q: If someone can not play an instrument, are there other ways they can volunteer with the CHCMB?
A: It seems the people who have the most fun at the CHCMB are the volunteers who come to every rehearsal and performance. These people help our members with instruments, uniforms, loading/unloading equipment, and so much more! Many of our members and volunteers live busy lives with careers and families, and consider the CHCMB to be their only social outlet, whether they play music or not. We are a gigantic family!
Q: What is the CHCMB most looking forward to in 2022?
A: The CHCMB is honored to call the Bill and Kathy Cook Performing Arts Center our new home! After leaving the old Citrus Heights City Hall at Fountain Square Plaza, the CHCMB functioned out of equipment trailers, practicing at Sunrise Mall and other locations throughout our area. Last year, our Founder Kathy Cook and our Executive Director, Kathy's husband of 51 years, Bill Cook, made the generous decision to donate their life savings to build a permanent home for the CHCMB at 8436 Jewel Way.
The CHCMB moved into the 3420 square foot facility in September of last year, and during the winter, Bill Cook performed more renovations to the 'Band Hall' to improve acoustics inside, and to reduce sound on the outside. As Band Director, I cannot wait to hear the larger and more talented Citrus Heights Community Marching Band make music in our brand new performing arts center! This is the largest milestone in our programs existence, and we are all looking forward to 'coming home.'
Q: What is the best way to follow the CHCMB and learn of upcoming events?
A: The CHCMB can be found at www.chcmb.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CHCMB. If you are interested in joining us, or would like to volunteer, please email me, Band Director Kody Tickner, at chcmb@hotmail.com!
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about the CHCMB?
A: The CHCMB is excited to start our 17th year of performing for our community. We play a huge variety of music, including Rock, Jazz, Patriotic, and Classical. Please come see us perform, and for even more fun, come play with us!
