ABOVE: The Sylvania Park Bandshell in Fairmont, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the Fairmont City Band is celebrating its 100th anniversary of performing at the bandshell. The Fairmont City Band will introduce their annual summer rehearsal and concert season here, starting on Tuesday, June 9.

FAIRMONT — Birds are not the only ones making music in Sylvania Park. Fairmont City Band is about to begin its summer season of concerts.

“I’m always excited. It’s always exciting,” said secretary and treasurer Dianne Bittenbinder, who has been involved in Fairmont City Band for 43 years. She said the Fairmont City Band Board of Directors has been preparing for the concert season since April and is excited to play music for the community.

Fairmont City Band will have rehearsals from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and free concert performances from 8 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 9, 16, 23, 30, Saturday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 7, at the Sylvania Park Bandshell in Fairmont.

Fairmont City Band has about 60 members, led by Director Bev Tenney, who are set to perform selections from Neil Diamond, Duke Ellington, Showtunes, Chicago, Annie, Wizard of Oz, patriotic songs in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, various marches, Instant Concerts, cartoon classics and more.

To choose music, Fairmont City Band combs its own music library and often collaborates with Fairmont High School and Martin County West Bands to curate repertoires that reflect different music tastes and events in the community.

In addition to the concerts, Fairmont is celebrating 100 years of the Sylvania Park Bandshell and the Fairmont City Band’s use of it. The bandshell has housed many Fairmont City Band performances since 1926.

The Sylvania Park Bandshell underwent a makeover which wrapped up in 2025, as roof work was done, along with replacement of rotting wood, cementing and repainting by the City of Fairmont.

“I love that bandshell. The sound coming off that bandshell, it just pushes the music and the sound goes right out to the people in the audience. I think that people really appreciate that bandshell, and that’s why we were all so happy when, instead of tearing it down, Fairmont said, ‘Nope, we’re gonna re-up it,'” Bittenbinder said.

In honor of the 100th anniversary, Fairmont City Band has added a sixth performance to its concert list and will perform a parade-style piece, “Fairmont Bicentennial March” by James “Red” McLeod, who was commissioned in 1976 by the Fairmont Bicentennial Festival Committee.

Being a part of Fairmont City Band has been a very rewarding experience for Bittenbinder and the many members who have committed to providing the community with music.

“A lot of the people who play, it’s the only time they play is during the summer. They want to keep up with their music, and they love it. The people who come to listen, they just really enjoy the music and we enjoy so much playing. It’s so much fun when people really appreciate it,” Bittenbinder shared.

She further expressed that the Fairmont City Band is very important to its community.

“The mission of the Fairmont City Band is to provide musical entertainment, enjoyment and goodwill to the citizens of the community, and offer an opportunity for individuals participating to continue utilizing their special musical talents for the benefit of Fairmont,” Bittenbinder explained. “There’s just something about getting people together, listening to music, especially in a park. I think that’s really special.”

Bittenbinder shared that the Fairmont City Band is always seeking to grow. Fairmont City Band musicians are in grades 10 to adult, with exceptions by the director and the Board of Directors’ recommendation and have instrumental experience.

To further support the Fairmont City Band, community members can attend the concerts. If there is inclement weather, rehearsal and concert cancellations will be announced after 5 p.m. Concessions will be operated by the Interlaken Heritage Days (IHD) Committee and proceeds will support IHD. Intermission entertainment will be performed. For additional information about Fairmont City Band, contact Tenney at (507) 235-3479, Bittenbinder at (507) 236-7794 or visit the Facebook page, “Fairmont City Band.”