Norwich City Band’s first performance will be July 12 in Norwich’s East Park bandstand. (Photo by Ed Audas)

NORWICH — The Norwich City Band, conducted by retired Sherburne-Earlville Band Director Gary Solomon, will soon begin performances in downtown Norwich.

The band will present free public performances in the East Park bandstand in Norwich.

There are six scheduled evening concerts set for July and August beginning at 7 p.m.

Performance dates are July 12, 19, and 26, and August 2, 9 and 16, rain or shine.

The band will also hold a special public performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at the New York State Veterans Home in Oxford.

Solomon recommended attendees bring a lawn chair and said the performances will last about an hour.

Solomon said the planned performances may have inspired selections. On July 12 the concert is “Patriotic Music,” on July 19 it will be “Broadway,” and on July 26, “Christmas in July.”

On August 2, the theme will be “Movies and Pop,” August 9 will be “Band Masters,” and August 16 with feature “International Composers.”

The Norwich City Band’s is made up of about 35 community members including school music teachers, local musicians, and area high school students. Musical selections include overtures, marches, popular music, Broadway musicals, and more.

Solomon has been a part of the band for decades and has been the conductor for last 20 years. He said the group was always seeking new players and shared why he enjoyed being a part of the band.

“I like having a varied program, this is something different every week. I like being with fellow musicians and progressing with them over the years and making some really good music,” he said.

He said anyone would be welcome to join but noted the Norwich City Band currently seeks a bassoon and oboe player in particular.

The performances of the Norwich City Band are made possible by support from the City of Norwich, the RC Smith Foundation, and the Greater Norwich Foundation.