Olathe Civic Band Keeps On Going


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Olathe Civic Band Keeps On Going
With a rich history, strong present and a hopeful future, the Olathe Civic Band is ready for almost anything. At least their conductors might be. Teachers Ed Colson and Jena McElwain serve as conductor and assistant conductor, leading more than 100 musicians, ranging in age from 16 to 86. Off and on for more than 100 years, some group has been called the Olathe Civic Band. Milton O. Barnes started a band in 1892 and a few years later, a violin teacher organized a young man’s band called the Olathe Military Band. In 1913, an Olathe mail carrier formed the Olathe Boys Band. By 1922 girls had joined the band, and they were playing at events around the community including the Priest of Pallas parade, the predecessor to the American Royal parade. Fast-forward to 1982 and Ed Badsky, an Olathe school band director. He joined the Olathe School District in 1951 and led all the bands until he retired, says Colson. Badsky resurrected the community band in 1983, calling it the Olathe Civic Band. Colson served as one of the original members of that 1983 band reunification. “I also can say that as a product of the Olathe School District, Ed was my only teacher.” The first concert of the reunified band was held on the Johnson County Courthouse steps. There were 16 members. The group grew and by 1998, Badsky asked Colson to take over directorship. “I couldn’t turn him down,” Colson says. By 1999, Colson was at the helm. “We learned quickly that we needed to create partnerships. Mahaffie House proved one of our best partnerships.” Mahaffie House served as a farm and a stop for stagecoaches west. McElwain became Colson’s student teacher, studying how to teach band to students. She and her husband returned to the area after a teaching assignment took her away from the metropolitan area. “We stay connected. Ed taught Rob, my husband. We joined the band and by 2001, Ed had asked me to be assistant director. Just like Mr. Badsky before when he asked Ed to take the post, I couldn’t turn down Ed.” McElwain spends five days a week standing in front of more than 250 students in five bands at Prairie Trail Junior High in Olathe. “We are the largest civic band and unique because we don’t make people audition,” Colson says. “Lawrence and Manhattan do, but we are proud that we can offer people a chance to play. We believe playing music is a lifetime activity. For many of our members, this is a social event too. Rehearsal is often a time to connect.” McElwain says. “When the band has been off during the winter months, that first rehearsal becomes a reconnection for members. I know we have fathers and daughters who play and sons and mothers. It really is about family. Where else would you find a 16-year-old conversing with an 80-year-old? They have music in common.” Colson says within the band, almost every profession can be found and lots of experience, musically and otherwise. “As educators, with our profession, we share about the pieces and hope to educate our audience. We want to make people good consumers of music.” Colson and McElwain also enjoy giving back to the community through the band concerts. An offshoot of this community dedication is the Olathe Civic Jazz Band. The group is staffed by band members and formed in 2006. This 17-piece swing band has quickly become a favorite in Johnson County, playing many of the old standards as well as some newer arrangements. The group represents the Civic Band at community events where the full concert band may not be appropriate. They also perform at assisted care facilities and nursing homes where the residents may not have the opportunity to attend community events as often. The group practices at Aberdeen Village and gives a concert there annually. They have also performed at weddings and other city events. “Sure Jena and I get tired and wonder if we have it in us to lead a rehearsal, but we have a great time. It is rewarding. It’s different than a school setting and different in its challenges,” Colson says. McElwain says the civic band has helped make her a better teacher. “Music is the universal language and something that can be enjoyed, no matter the age.” Coming concerts: July 2, 7 p.m. 19th Century Independence Day Celebration, Mahaffie Farmstead, 1100 N. Kansas City Road, Olathe Aug. 16, 2 p.m. Summer Concert/Ice Cream Social Olathe Northwest High School, 21300 College Blvd. Sept. 12, 5 p.m. Old Settlers Days Downtown Olathe Under the Clock Tower www.olathecivicband.org

With a rich history, strong present and a hopeful future, the Olathe Civic Band is ready for almost anything. At least their conductors might be. Teachers Ed Colson and Jena McElwain serve as conductor and assistant conductor, leading more than 100 musicians, ranging in age from 16 to 86.

Off and on for more than 100 years, some group has been called the Olathe Civic Band. Milton O. Barnes started a band in 1892 and a few years later, a violin teacher organized a young man’s band called the Olathe Military Band. In 1913, an Olathe mail carrier formed the Olathe Boys Band. By 1922 girls had joined the band, and they were playing at events around the community including the Priest of Pallas parade, the predecessor to the American Royal parade. Fast-forward to 1982 and Ed Badsky, an Olathe school band director. He joined the Olathe School District in 1951 and led all the bands until he retired, says Colson. Badsky resurrected the community band in 1983, calling it the Olathe Civic Band.

Colson served as one of the original members of that 1983 band reunification. “I also can say that as a product of the Olathe School District, Ed was my only teacher.” The first concert of the reunified band was held on the Johnson County Courthouse steps. There were 16 members. The group grew and by 1998, Badsky asked Colson to take over directorship. “I couldn’t turn him down,” Colson says. By 1999, Colson was at the helm. “We learned quickly that we needed to create partnerships. Mahaffie House proved one of our best partnerships.” Mahaffie House served as a farm and a stop for stagecoaches west.

McElwain became Colson’s student teacher, studying how to teach band to students. She and her husband returned to the area after a teaching assignment took her away from the metropolitan area. “We stay connected. Ed taught Rob, my husband. We joined the band and by 2001, Ed had asked me to be assistant director. Just like Mr. Badsky before when he asked Ed to take the post, I couldn’t turn down Ed.” McElwain spends five days a week standing in front of more than 250 students in five bands at Prairie Trail Junior High in Olathe.

“We are the largest civic band and unique because we don’t make people audition,” Colson says. “Lawrence and Manhattan do, but we are proud that we can offer people a chance to play. We believe playing music is a lifetime activity. For many of our members, this is a social event too. Rehearsal is often a time to connect.” McElwain says. “When the band has been off during the winter months, that first rehearsal becomes a reconnection for members. I know we have fathers and daughters who play and sons and mothers. It really is about family. Where else would you find a 16-year-old conversing with an 80-year-old? They have music in common.”

Colson says within the band, almost every profession can be found and lots of experience, musically and otherwise. “As educators, with our profession, we share about the pieces and hope to educate our audience. We want to make people good consumers of music.” Colson and McElwain also enjoy giving back to the community through the band concerts. An offshoot of this community dedication is the Olathe Civic Jazz Band.

The group is staffed by band members and formed in 2006. This 17-piece swing band has quickly become a favorite in Johnson County, playing many of the old standards as well as some newer arrangements. The group represents the Civic Band at community events where the full concert band may not be appropriate. They also perform at assisted care facilities and nursing homes where the residents may not have the opportunity to attend community events as often. The group practices at Aberdeen Village and gives a concert there annually. They have also performed at weddings and other city events.

“Sure Jena and I get tired and wonder if we have it in us to lead a rehearsal, but we have a great time. It is rewarding. It’s different than a school setting and different in its challenges,” Colson says. McElwain says the civic band has helped make her a better teacher. “Music is the universal language and something that can be enjoyed, no matter the age.”

Coming concerts:
July 2, 7 p.m.
19th Century Independence Day
Celebration, Mahaffie Farmstead,
1100 N. Kansas City Road, Olathe

Aug. 16, 2 p.m.
Summer Concert/Ice Cream Social
Olathe Northwest High School,
21300 College Blvd.

Sept. 12, 5 p.m.
Old Settlers Days
Downtown Olathe
Under the Clock Tower