The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band entertained at a recent event. 
Photo by Citrus Heights Community Marching Band

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has entertained crowds since it formed in 2005. Many residents have likely seen the band perform annually in the 4th of July Red, White, and Blue Parade.

The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band (CHCMB) was founded by city resident Kathy Cook, who said years ago that the Red, White, and Blue Parade was missing the important feature of a marching band. She became, as Supervisor Sue Frost told the West Sacramento News-Ledger upon Cook's passing in 2021, "the mother of joyful music." The Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has continued to grow and flourish over the years.

Today, the marching band sits at about 70 participants, and welcomes musicians aged 6 to 92.

Unlike many other performing arts organizations in the Sacramento region, the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band is open to all residents, regardless of age and musical background.

Band director Kody Tickner weighed in on the current makeup of participants,

"Many of them have prior music experience, but from 20-plus years ago. We do have a few beginning musicians and we always welcome anyone, regardless of their active music skills," Tickner said.

Citrus Heights Community Marching Band has welcomed children, senior citizens, current and former high school marching band participants, and those just curious about the concept.

Citrus Heights Community Marching Band’s horn section is always fun to listen to and watch. Photo by Citrus Heights Community Marching Band

  

"The goal of the CHCMB is to entertain large audiences and to provide a welcoming environment for our members to make music," Tickner said. "We just want people in our community to know that we exist, we are welcoming new members and we are totally free to participate."

In fact, Citrus Heights Community Marching Band's free element, combined with its diverse array of participants, makes it unique to any other marching band in the country, according to Tickner. The group even has a color guard for those who aren't so musically inclined.

Citrus Heights Community Marching Band performs in the parade every July and heads up the Howl-O-Ween parade and harvest festival every October. The band also participates at local events such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Sacramento, the Rio Linda Elverta Christmas Light Parade and local craft fairs.

The Citrus Heights band, which performs approximately 20 times per year, is in the process of building an amphitheater at Rusch Park to hold more performances.

Despite all of these events and note-worthy performances, Tickner said, one of the biggest challenges of the group is promotion.

"We don't advertise," he said, "and so it's difficult to let our community know when we host public performances and activities."

For those wanting to discover more about Citrus Heights Community Marching Band and support its efforts, the band’s annual spaghetti fundraiser will be on March 30.

It's an event that brings a lot of excitement and success to the marching band and hopefully some new participants as well, according to the band director.

"Our Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser has been our biggest fundraiser for many years," Tickner said. "Besides raising funds for the band program, it is intended to bring together people in our community to share our love of music. The funds go toward operational expenses such as insurance, bookkeeping, etc. We also provide instruments to our members at no charge, so these funds are also used to maintain that equipment."

Citrus Heights Community Marching Band meets every Monday night at the Bill and Kathy Cook Performing Arts Center at 8436 Jewel Way, Citrus Heights. Check out the band’s website at chcmb.org for more information or to buy tickets to the spaghetti dinner.