'Spice of life': Dickinson City Band dazzles at Winter Concert

The crescendos of percussionists melded beautifully with the intricate melodic tones of wind instruments, much to the hushed amusement of the audience. Enthralling performances courtesy of the Dickinson City Band (DCB) featured many a classic holiday hits center stage last weekend — a first in two years.

The DCB held its Winter Concert Sunday, in the Dickinson High School Auditorium, with prominent guests including Sen. Rich Wardner. Directed by Matthew Goettle — DHS band director — the band performed a number of popular pieces including “Toccata for Band,” “Oliver, “The Purple Pageant,” “The Minstrel Boy,” “Folk Song Suite” as well as pieces from the 1990 American epic western film “Dances with Wolves.” To put the audience in festive spirit, the DCB also played “Home for the Holidays” and “A Christmas Festival.”

For Goettle, this performance was one for the books.

“I thought the band played great,” Goettle said. “There were some challenging pieces, especially ‘The Purple Pageant’ and ‘Folk Song Suite,’ and they played them with style and class.”

The band began rehearsals for the Winter Concert in September and have long awaited to take the stage after the coronavirus pandemic halted performances in 2020 across the world.

“I think it means that the city of Dickinson is hungry for music. The 'break' didn't dissolve the band, it only made them want this more,” Goettle noted.

Jackie Jahfetson / The Dickinson Press

Toward the middle of the concert, DCB Secretary Treasurer Bob Keogh provided some comedic relief to attendees and also some facts about the band such as its nonprofit status and how Goettle dedicates his free time in service to this musical organization.

“It’s just wonderful. You don’t keep it to yourself… Here you’re playing on stage for people who come out on kind of a crappy night to listen. It makes us feel good,” Keogh said.

Goettle added, “I want us to keep getting better and better. The band members love a wide variety of music, from classic band repertoire to orchestral transcriptions to movies and musicals... and that's what we will keep doing. Variety is the spice of life. I have a feeling that this band will grow in numbers in the next couple of years, and I'm excited for them.”

Since his move in 2019, Geottle said that the Dickinson community has been so gracious and welcoming to him and his family.

“There is a rich history of music here and I'm happy to be a part of it,” he added.

1/3: A trumpet player leads the melody for the Dickinson City Band during the Winter Concert Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at the Dickinson High School Auditorium. (Jackie Jahfetson / The Dickinson Press)

2/3: A flute player from the Dickinson City Band is shown performing on stage during the Winter Concert Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at the Dickinson High School Auditorium. (Jackie Jahfetson / The Dickinson Press)

3/3: A musician from the Dickinson City Band plays her instrument Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at the Dickinson High School Auditorium for the Winter Concert. (Jackie Jahfetson / The Dickinson Press)