MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
The Hutchinson Municipal Band is preparing to launch its 151st season with a full lineup of free summer concerts celebrating Americana, patriotic music and community tradition.
Municipal Band member Charles Johnston said the organization traces its roots back to 1875, just a few years after the founding of Hutchinson.
“It’s one of those unknown secrets,” Johnston said. “Actually, in the city ordinances, it was declared that there would be a municipal band, and tax money would be used to fund a municipal band.”
Johnston said the band’s summer schedule unofficially begins Friday during Hutch Rec’s Final Friday concert series, weather permitting. The official 2026 concert season opens June 2 and continues every Tuesday through July 7.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
This year’s concerts from June 2 through June 23 will feature Americana-themed performances, including traditional marches, Broadway music and classic concert band selections.
A major highlight of the season will be a special patriotic concert June 30 at the historic Fox Theatre in partnership with the Reno County Choral Society. The performance is part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s our patriotic concert on steroids,” Johnston said. “We’re doing a really special event with the Reno County Choral Society at the Fox Theater.”
The June 30 concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will include patriotic favorites such as “America the Beautiful” and an Armed Forces Salute featuring all military branches, including the Space Force anthem.
Johnston said one major change this year is the concert location. After several weather-related cancellations in recent years at Carey Park, the band is moving performances indoors to the Stringer Fine Arts Center recital hall at Hutchinson Community College.
Concerts will begin at 8 p.m. and typically last between 45 minutes and one hour.
Johnston also highlighted the unique rehearsal process for the Municipal Band. Musicians receive the music the same evening they perform it.
“We show up at 6 o’clock that night having never seen the music for that concert,” Johnston said. “We sight-read the concert from 6 to 7:15, and then 45 minutes later we present the music.”
The band includes musicians ranging from high school students to veteran performers, with membership often ranging from 40 to 75 players depending on the concert.
Johnston said continued public support is important because the Municipal Band is largely funded through the City of Hutchinson.
“The most important thing is to come to our concerts,” he said. “The city makes funding determinations based on what the residents need, and part of that is making sure our audiences are full.”