Community Band 45th Anniversary Concert

The Joliet Junior College community band will celebrate its 45th anniversary Sunday, May 5, marking four and a half decades of musical excellence and community engagement.

The anniversary concert holds special significance as the band commemorates the legacy of its founder, Mr. Jerry E. Lewis, who passed away in 2024. Lewis was the the College’s fine arts department chairman and formed the community band in 1979 after seeing the need for an ensemble open to everyone in the community. He served as the conductor until 2004 and returned as a guest conductor several times over the years. 

As a tribute to his enduring influence, the entire concert will be dedicated to his memory, with performances of "Grace" by Leroy Anderson and "A Trumpeter's Lullaby” by Brian Balmages.

To commemorate the milestone, the band will feature works by renowned composers such as John Philip Sousa, Alexander Borodin, Leroy Anderson and Haydn Wood. Additionally, the concert will include the world premiere of "Rejuvenation Overture" by Jermaine Stegall, a piece specially commissioned to honor the band's anniversary. Stegall is known for his versatility and acclaimed compositions and has worked on numerous film scores, including "Coming 2 America" and "Praise This." His collaboration with the JJC community band underscores the band's dedication to artistic innovation and collaboration.