The Piedmont Prime Time Community Band was begun in August, 2002 under the guidance of co-founders Jon Hutchinson and Nancy Sloop. While a community band had previously existed in Cabarrus County under the sponsorship of Cannon Mills, there had not been an organization in operation since the 1940’s. It was determined that the region needed an ensemble to provide area musicians with a continuous performance opportunity as part of lifelong learning and cultural enrichment.
From an initial rehearsal turnout of 17 individuals, the PPTCB has grown to include a consistent membership of 50-60 players with full band instrumentation. The current roster includes residents from Cabarrus, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties. Rehearsals occur once per week on Mondays, from 7:15-9:00 pm.
In May, 2013, Mr. Jon Hutchinson, the organization’s first and only conductor, stepped down after eleven years of devoted leadership. Dr. Laurence Marks served as director from 2013 to 2015; he had recently retired from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he served as director of bands. Mr. Christopher Wilson, known in the community as the director of bands at Concord High School, served as interim director for the 2015-2016 season. Jason Partridge, the band director at Bandys High School (formerly band director at J N Fries), was selected to be the permanent director from the Fall 2016 season to Dec 2021.
In January of 2022, Chris White joined as the new director for the band. He earned a Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Winthrop University, and has been the Director of Bands at Hickory Ridge High School since 2007.
Musical programs of the Piedmont Prime Time Community Band include a variety of music from classically oriented pieces and marches to serious contemporary works for wind ensemble. Programs also feature light, popular music for themed concerts, including a traditional Christmas concert and a children’s program. Soloists, both vocal and instrumental, also highlight performances each year.
With the existence of excellent high school and college band programs in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area, the Piedmont Prime Time Community Band’s mission is to make ongoing instrumental music performance opportunities available to people of all ages who have previous experience in high school, college or other community organizations.
The Piedmont Prime Time Community Band is a self- sustaining, non-profit organization relying on donations, grants and member contributions to fund its activities. Membership requirements can be found here.