In the summer of 2021 the seed of a dream to begin a community band in Tellico Village and Loudon County began to take root in the heart of Kevin Meyer. Kevin had begun talking with Dr. Charlie Barnard, former pastor at First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, and Rev. David Whipple, Jr., former minister of music at the same church, about formulating a community concert band in Tellico Village and Loudon County. Knowing that there were undoubtedly a significant number of individuals who had played in bands as far back as high school and college and/or had played as part of various bands in other parts of the country or even the military, as had Kevin, there were most certainly the players out there who would welcome the opportunity be be a part of a community concert band. After some discussion, Charlie Barnard and First Baptist Church of Tellico Village offered some seed money to help the group get started, and Kevin began recruiting players from the community. Rev. Eugene Hattaway, who had retired a few years prior as minister of music at First Baptist Church of Tellico Village, enthusiastically came on board as the band’s music director and conductor. Kevin continued in the role of manager, as well as tireless recruiter.
The brass section of the band played for the first time at the Tellico Village Community Christmas Tree lighting in December 2021, and played their first official concert in May of 2022, to the delight of all who were there to hear them.
Sadly, following a lengthy illness, Eugene Hattaway passed away in September 2022. At that time, Rev. David Whipple, Jr. agreed to step in as music director and conductor. The band played their first concert under David’s direction in December 2022, featuring a variety of Christmas songs, including a setting of “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” commissioned for Eugene Hattaway and arranged by Bill Buelow.
The Loudon County Concert band, located just southwest of Knoxville, TN, in Loudon County, is a volunteer, multigenerational community of over 40 musicians from Loudon County and the surrounding area. Under the musical direction of David Whipple, Jr., the band plays a variety of concert band literature including thematic pieces, songs from film and Broadway, patriotic marches, arrangements of music from famous composers, as well as original works composed for concert band. The band typically plays at least three major concerts each year. Our concert season includes a Christmas concert, a Spring concert, and a patriotic concert on or close to Memorial Day.
The Loudon County Concert Band, LTD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of individuals and businesses in our community. All contributions are tax deductible.
The band is open to players in high school through adults who have retired. Members of the band need only have a love for concert band music and a desire to grow as musicians and share that music with others in our community. We are proud to support the work of local high school band programs as well, by providing additional opportunities for their students to grow in their musical skills. Also, part of our mission is to encourage others who played an instrument in the past, in high school or college, to begin playing their instrument again, emphasizing that music can and should be a life-long endeavor. The band also works to be a catalyst for the growth of all areas of the performing arts in our immediate community and beyond.
History
Who We Are
ABOUT
