By Mike Hazlip–
The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has begun its 17th year in a large new building constructed for the organization.
The Bill and Kathy Cook Performing Arts Center is a donation from Bill and Kathy Cook, who were instrumental in forming the band in 2005. Kathy Cook died in August 2021, just weeks before the building was completed.
The all-volunteer, all-ages band is known for its community performances and flash mob-style appearances during the holidays at Walmart, along with its annual yard sale fundraisers. The band has also been without a home over the years, holding practice outside Red Robin and other locations in the past.
Band Director Kody Tickner said in an interview Monday that constructing the center in a quiet residential neighborhood off Jewel Way near Twin Oaks Avenue was a concern for the organization. The metal structure uses R-30 insulation in the walls which was then covered with acoustic tiles on the interior. Acoustic blankets cover the ceiling to dampen the sound.
“It’s not dead, there’s a nice tone to the room,” Tickner said. “But it’s not booming, it doesn’t hurt your ears.”
Tickner said some neighbors attended the open house, and he hasn’t had any complaints.
“People really weren’t sure how to accept a loud band in their neighborhood, but I think we’ve really proven ourselves that we want to be community minded,” Tickner said.
Despite the pandemic causing postponement of performances for many bands in the area, Tickner said the Citrus Heights Marching Band grew to about 70 members throughout the pandemic. He credited the band’s flexibility with enabling it to continue operating on a limited basis, noting other organizations based at public school campuses were prevented from holding practice.
“We’re our own organization, we manage ourselves,” Tickner said. “We were able to proceed with the guidance of our community leaders and we did the right thing.”
The band held a few outdoor concerts during the pandemic, along with limited practices, and Tickner said he hasn’t had any reports of any members contracting the virus as a result of their activities.
In an effort to recruit more members, the organization started a scholarship fund that will pay for 10 music lessons with a credentialed professional music instructor for anyone under the age of 21 who joins the band. Most members use instruments provided by the organization, and Tickner said he’s open to all ages and skill levels.
“Come play with us, come be part of the community,” he said. “Feel it when the crowd claps for us because they’re clapping for you too.”
Bill Cook said he’s witnessed young lives be transformed through the gift of music, recalling one young man who was struggling in school. After participating in the band, he turned his grades around and went on to college.
“We work hard for what we created for ourselves and we want to share it with everybody who wants to be a part of it,” Tickner said.
Now that they have a permanent home, Tickner and Cook are planning a live broadcast set for March 19. The virtual event will be held in lieu of the band’s usual spaghetti feed fundraiser.
Tickner also said the band is planning a surprise for the community, although he didn’t include more information.
“We always have something to make this community a better place and use music as a means of doing that,” said the band director. “We’re working on another tremendous surprise for the Citrus Heights community, it’s going to be one of the biggest yet.”
More information about the marching band can be found on the city’s website, or the band’s Facebook page.
