Before Spotify, television or radio, American towns had their city bands. Amateur musicians kept their suits starched and instruments shined for any event that might require a little fanfare. Missoula was no exception.
The Missoula City Band formed in 1865, and today—155 years later—it keeps time with the leadership of Gary Gillett. Originally Director of the Bitterroot Community Band, Gary moved to Missoula in 1987 to head up Big Sky High School’s music department.
“I loved teaching,” Gary said. “That was a great way to almost make a living,” he joked in his characteristic, slapstick style. Five years later, in 1993, Gary accepted an invitation to lead the city band. The previous directorship lasted almost fifty years, so his entrance brought a fresh face to the players and the program.
Missoulians may recognize Gary Gillett as the Grand Poohbah of the Missoula City Band’s open-air Concert in the Park summer program. Each Wednesday evening, audiences gather at Bonner Park as sixty to seventy musicians prepare to entertain. Lawn chairs unfold, blankets billow onto grass, musicians tune up under the band shell and scan the crowd for devoted regulars or curious passersby.
“We catch people by surprise when they’re walking by the park,” Gary said. “People bring their friends and family. The vast majority are folks who come year after year,” he added.
Gary’s thoughtful crafting of each summer’s program has attracted a faithful following of musicians.
“The band is open to all music makers,” he explained. “People who want to play just want to play. Give them an opportunity and watch out!” he said.
Gary’s enthusiasm for good music and a good time comes through in the wide variety of numbers the band performs.
“I make sure it’s a balanced program,” Gary said. “I choose music that appeals to the audience but is challenging for the musicians, too. There’s usually two or three marches, an overture, and always a classical transcription. We play songs with lyrics—something novel and unique for a soloist to perform. I try not to be boring with it,” he said.
With Gary at the mic, boring is the last thing people expect. Known for his sense of humor, Gary often takes advantage of surprise opportunities.
“When Mount Sentinel started on fire, we were setting up for the concert in the park," he recalled. "The audience faced their lawn chairs sideways, so they could watch the fire while we played. I decided to play a trick. I asked the tuba players to set their instruments off tune to a concert F. It sounded just like a slurry bomber going over with its prop motors. Everyone started looking up. I got to the microphone and said, ‘What are you all looking at? That’s us playing up here!’”
Memories like that give Missoula’s City Band its lasting appeal, while the band shell at Bonner Park provides a permanent stage.
“It helps to have a dedicated structure in a city park. That’s a huge advantage,” Gary said. He credits the support of the City of Missoula. Combined with private donations, city funds keep the program thriving.
Outside of the summer months, Gary stays busy performing with several bands indoors. Tuba Christmas at Southgate Mall is a holiday favorite. After the show, the performance moves downtown for a tuba Santa pub crawl.
“We started, three or four buddies and me, as a way to promote Tuba Christmas. It’s devolved into its own experience,” he said. “When we go through the doors of The Rhino, the place explodes!”
In 2018, Gary published a book titled, The Missoula City Band; Stories in Time. His historical research still yields material for summer programs.
“Last year, we performed a song that hadn’t been played in Missoula in 100 years. So, every year now, we do a historical piece,” said Gary.
This summer, starting on June 17 at 8 p.m., the Missoula City Band’s Concert in the Park program will once again connect our community with music and song. Before each show, look for Gary to weave through the garden of blankets and lawn chairs to chat with neighbors. He’d be happy to shake your hand or offer a wave. For him, that’s part of the old-time charm of these events.
“It takes the future a while to get to Missoula. We can embrace that,” Gary said. “Every town ought to have a city band.”