Community band holds Fourth of July concert

The Flathead Valley Community Band will present “An American Celebration” concert on Tuesday, July 4, in Kalispell’s Depot Park.

The program begins at about 10:30 a.m., following the Fourth of July parade down Main Street. The concert is free.

The band is under the direction of Allen Slater.

The community band is a nonprofit organization with one goal: to provide music to a variety of audiences throughout the valley. The band is closing in on 50 years as an established organization and is the oldest continuously operating private musical group in the greater Flathead Valley.

“We are proud to offer music across the valley in beautiful spaces such as the Flathead High School auditorium and Columbia Falls auditorium, and have performed in city parks like Depot Park in Kalispell, Marantette Park in Columbia Falls, and Sliter Park in Bigfork where large audiences can gather comfortably and enjoy our family-friendly programming,” Slater said. “Our band also makes it a priority to bring music to those who may not be able to come to us. The summer season is a time for us to share music at a variety of care facilities.”

The band activities are funded through the generosity of audiences at concerts and from local organizations sponsoring performances. The group returns this summer with the financial support of a grant from the Whitefish Community Foundation along with donations from other individuals.