St. Cloud Municipal Band — the group that performed in Hester Park prior to Tuesday’s fireworks — has been a gem in the community for more than 130 years.
Catharine Sinon Bushman, the conductor for the past year, describes the band as a fellowship of musicians who love to play in the community. They play music of all styles: concert music, jazz and popular. Since the end of March, and continuing on until the middle of December, they have either a concert or a rehearsal every week.
There are about 65 band members ranging in age from their early 20s into their 80s.
Conductor Catharine Sinon Bushman came to St. Cloud in 2013, when she became assistant professor of music education at St. Cloud State University. She began her teaching career as director of bands at Crystal Lake Central High School in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and later moved to Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia.
