History of the Band

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In 1986, Dorsey Myers (a local business leader and former President of the Stockton Chorale), Nelson Zane (Music Teacher and San Joaquin County Schools Coordinator of Music), Harvey Addie (Music Teacher and President, American Federation of Musicians Local 189) and Arthur J. Holton, III met for the purpose of forming a community band. Through the leadership of Dorsey Myers, the format was established, a constitution and bylaws drafted, and state and federal non-profit status obtained. Nearly one year later, rehearsals began.

Approximately 30 musicians appeared for the first Tuesday night rehearsal in the Lincoln High School Band Room. Rehearsals were scheduled for Tuesday evenings so as not to conflict with the Stockton Chorale’s Monday evening and Stockton Symphony’s Wednesday and Thursday evening rehearsals.

Initially, band members paid per concert dues which, along with the proceeds from ticket and program advertising sales, as well as a Sustaining Fund (donations from community members), covered the director’s salary, provided a stipend for the business manager and librarian, and paid for the cost of renting concert halls.

Seven years ago, however, the Stockton Concert Band was placed under the auspices of the San Joaquin Delta College Fine Arts Division, thereby eliminating the need for members to pay dues.

Rod Swearingen (former Music Educator and Coordinator of Music for Lincoln Unified School District) served as the Band’s first Conductor, and was succeeded by Dr. Robert Halseth (former Director of Bands, University of the Pacific; currently Director of Bands, California State University, Sacramento).

Arthur J. Holton III, San Joaquin Delta College Director of Bands, is presently the Band’s Conductor.

The Band has traveled throughout Northern California, playing concerts with other community bands. Additionally, it has traveled to and performed in London, England, Honolulu, Hawaii, and on March 28, 2007, headlined at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York.