Hampton Municipal Band kicks off 99th year last Tuesday

Live music once again filled Band Shell Park last Tuesday as the Hampton Municipal Band celebrated the beginning of its 99th year.

Hampton’s hub of live music had been relatively quiet so far this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanks to some social distancing measures and determination, the Hampton Municipal Band was able to fill that void for a few minutes.

Chris Sauke, director, said the band operated with reduced numbers and spaced out on stage in order to respect social distancing. They also performed a shortened set, mainly by sight reading in order to avoid indoor practices. All in all, Sauke said the adjustments still created an entertaining evening.

“It means a lot to me that we were able to do this and it means a lot to the community that we were able to provide this in a season right now where it’s far from normal,” he said. “None of us had been in this situation before…but I thought the band stayed together and sight read the music well.”

Sauke added that while the community appreciated a suddenly rare evening of live entertainment, the band members, too, enjoyed the opportunity to once again perform with one another.

“When you have these kind of things you get used to doing and people you’re used to being around and you lose that, you realize how much you miss it when you can’t,” he said.

“Last night it was nice because a number of the people on stage are teachers and band directors themselves, so they have not had the opportunity to make music with anyone since March.

“It’s a big relief that everybody had a chance to do this again,” he continued.

Tuesday’s performance kicked off the 2020 season for the Municipal Band, which will continue performances for Hampton’s annual Third of July celebration on Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m. at Band Shell Park. Sauke said he and the band are excited to perform at the celebration, as music a key component to major holidays, especially the Fourth of July. He said pieces like “Stars and Stripes Forever” and the Salute to the Armed Forces are synonymous with the patriotic holidays.

“When you come around to the big holidays, there’s always traditions and music is so much a part of those traditions,” he said. “Those things have become part of a ceremony of honoring our nation.

“It’s good and it’s important and healthy for us to do this for the community and our area,” he added.