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10 Fall 2023 • sai-national.org SAIs in e News On ursday, March 5, 2020, the Highland (Indiana) Community Band, under the direction of SAI National Arts Associate Greg Jasek, gave its annual spring concert. e band's creator and emcee for the evening, SAI Friend of the Arts Michael Griffin, invited the audience to look forward to the summer performance when the Band would celebrate its 30 th Anniversary. e first rehearsal for this event was Wednesday, March 11, 2020. By the end of that week, the town's high school where the band held its weekly practice was closed due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. Aer a 19-month hiatus, the Highland Community Band finally resumed rehearsals and performed its first post-COVID concert in October 2021. e delayed plans for a 30 th anniversary celebration would go through the 31 st year. In 1989, a young Parks Department employee, a former high school baritone player named Michael Griffin, approached band director Greg Jasek about the possibility and feasibility of starting an adult community band in Griffin's hometown of Highland, Indiana. ere was interest among musicians in the community and surrounding areas, and in 1990, the Highland Community Band gave its first concert. Two years later, Griffin was elected clerk- treasurer of the town but continued his support of the volunteer music group. Griffin's constant support of the band, along with Jasek's longtime association, led the Lake County Alumnae Chapter—many of whom are members of the band—to affiliate the pair as Distinguished Members. Membership in the band is not limited to only Highland residents. Fewer than 10 of the 50 participants reside in Highland. A few live just over the Illinois state line, about three miles away. ere are no auditions and there is no cost to belong to the band. e concerts are performed free of charge to the community. It's the love of music and performing that keeps the members coming back week aer week and year aer year. Members have performed solo pieces on the concerts and a number of small ensembles have formed: a brass choir became a quintet; a flute choir performed before concerts; a clarinet choir was featured during the Christmas concert; and there was the recent addition of a saxophone quartet. A small brass ensemble has oen played for the town's Christmas tree lighting until the one year the weather was so bitter that the valves began sticking. e Band performed special concerts when Highland celebrated its centennial in 2010 and a special 10 th -anniversary concert on September 11, 2011. At the spring, 2014 concert, the Band premiered a composition titled March Fo(u)rth, written by local Rabbi Emeritus Mike Stevens. e name is a visual pun, combining the command "March forth!" with Stevens' birthday, March 4th. In 2015, the band was honored to have U.S. Congressman Peter Visclosky join Griffin for emcee duties. Selected members of the public have also been invited to direct Stars and Stripes Forever during the summer concert and Sleigh Ride at Christmas. A few times Santa himself did the honors! While band members come and go as their schedule permits, the one constant has been National Arts Associate Jasek. For the more than three decades he has been principal conductor, he has allowed the band to suggest concert themes and songs, approve (or decline) each piece performed, and has given young music educators and other band members the opportunity to conduct a number, offering guidance to those still learning their cra. Friend of the Arts Griffin, who became the State Senator for the 1 st District of Northern Indiana in February 2022, will, as his schedule permits, act as the emcee and narrator for the band's four seasonal concerts each year. It was at the annual Christmas concert in December 2021 where band members were presented "member" lapel pins, featuring the Town of Highland logo (which includes its Gazebo) and "30 years" noted. Both Jasek and Griffin were surprised COVID Delays, but Doesn't Dampen! At top, The Congressional Record At top, The Congressional Record commemorating the Highland Community commemorating the Highland Community Band and its principal maestro, Band and its principal maestro, National Arts Associate Greg Jasek. National Arts Associate Greg Jasek. Above and next page, In May 2023, capping Above and next page, In May 2023, capping off a COVID-delayed 30th anniversary off a COVID-delayed 30th anniversary celebration, the band awarded Maestro celebration, the band awarded Maestro Greg Jasek with lifetime membership in the Greg Jasek with lifetime membership in the International Conductors Guild. International Conductors Guild.

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