In 1906 Robbinsdale was a small community on the northwestern edge of Minneapolis.  Its citizens were eager for the community to grow and the Robbinsdale City Band became a force to promote that growth.   Members of the Grenell and Swift families were instrumental in starting a band consisting of a dozen or so members of all ages known as the Robbinsdale Civic Club Band.   Over the years the name was changed to the Robbinsdale City Band (RCB), the name in use today.

The earliest bands were comprised of family members of all ages.  Mid century, when the band was especially known for its marching, the band was made up of teenagers and young adults.  The age of present day band members is more diverse than it was 35 years ago.  The marching band has members ranging in age from 15 through 50's.  For the concert unit, "post high school adult" has come to mean age 18 - mid-80's.  Their histories and life stories are just as varied with educational backgrounds in biology, engineering, education, medicine, business, accounting, design, music, homemaking and more. 

In spite of their differences, these people have found something essential to their lives in common with all of the others.  They love music!  Through it they have found a way to feed their souls and make a well-rounded life.  Public education is cited by many as the only way they were able to learn to play an instrument.  The fact that they are still enjoying music and contributing to the community with their playing after 40 - 50 - 60 years is evidence that money spent on music education has been well spent.

The band has been known as a closely knit friendship group.  Members celebrate together for events such as weddings, births, and birthdays.  They have held reunions and annual banquets, some with hired dance bands.  They have been present and eager to assist at the time of illnesses and funerals.  Many describe the RCB as "family."  They joined the band because of music but found enduring friendships and a supportive, caring community.

DIRECTORS

THE MARCHING BAND

While the entire band both marched and played concerts until 1969 when the concert band was established as a separate entity, it was as a marching unit that the band first attained renown for itself and for the community of Robbinsdale.  Early directors, drum majors and assistants honed the marching skills of the members into a finely tuned precision corps. 

An example of the band's noteworthy competition was the 1941 Aquatennial Northwest Band contest where the band received a score of 100%.  The judge, Dr. Frank Simon, formerly solo cornetist under John Phillip Sousa, gave the band high praise.  He said, "The music, marching and showmanship of this band is superb.  Of all the bands I have listened to and judged, I have never come across a band that is, as a unit, so nearly perfect.  ... I couldn't have seen and heard a better show if I had gone to New York or Radio City.  It was the most enjoyable half hour I have ever spent.  The director [Paul Larson] showed outstanding showmanship."

Bob Mendenhall proved he knew what the judges were looking for in preparing his bands for competition when he brought home many awards.  Mike Serber tells of helping Roger Thompson measure the streets of downtown Minneapolis so as to execute precise steps and turns.

In 2004, Mike Serber faced the reality of dwindling interest in marching.  Unable to compete in school categories and unable to compete with the large non-school units, he changed the style of marching to a small "combo" that provides parade entertainment.

The Covid-19 Pandemic put a pause into all face-to-face band activities and the Marching never band never came back after leadership changes and dwindling interest. Maybe again, someday?

CONCERT BAND

JAZZ BAND

Originally, the Robbinsdale City Band (RCB), was a concert and marching band. Numerous times, sub-groups of the RCB were formed for special occasions or events.

In the early '60s, an early sub-group of the RCB was a Big Band or Jazz Band under the direction of Don Schirmer. That first RCB Jazz Band was an outgrowth of an independent band known as the "Offbeats" and charts in the RCB current music library are still identified as belonging to the "Offbeats" and Don Schirmer. The band fizzled after Schirmer moved on from directing the RCB.

Locally renowned Robbinsdale optician John Luckow, a regular tenor saxophonist in the RCB in the early '70s, had performed in several jazz band in earlier days. He had acquired a considerable library of music and knew several local jazz band artists. Luckow created a sub-group within the RCB to play Big Band dance charts. This sub-group was enhanced with non-RCB members and was known as the "JL Big Band." The earliest song lists and photos of this group are from 1975.

For more than 20 years, The "JL Big Band" played dances at the Robbinsdale American Legion, church festivals, numerous wedding dances, and other "gigs" for more than 20 years until 1998. Notable "JL Big Band" engagements included performing as weekend entertainment at Cragun's Resort in Brainerd, MN, a highlight for many of the local band members.

Some years after conductor Mike Serber took over the RCB baton and with interest from several alumni of the "JL Big Band," he and the Jazz Band reestablished in 2014. The motivator was a young bride, also a member of the group, who wanted jazz band music to be performed at her wedding reception!

The band stayed late following regular rehearsals, and practiced several hundred charts that were currently filed in band archives. Eventually, the RCB Jazz Band performed at several of the RCB concerts that summer.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RCB Jazz Band was the first unit to gather in the Robbinsdale City Hall parking lot to play a live music rehearsal, following all standards for protocol spacing, instrument protective bags and masking for health safety.

Currently, the RCB Jazz Band performs several numbers prior to most outdoor RCB concerts during the summer season. With a library of nearly 300 pieces, the 20+ members of the RCB Jazz Band maintain several dozen musical arrangements ready to perform throughout the concert season.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Mid-century Armistice and Memorial Day celebrations were lengthy and patriotic.  The whole community, with fresh memories of the loss of loved ones and service participation, took part.  Those of us who now play for audiences made up of senior citizens have the privilege of playing for those same people.  They truly know what patriotism is all about and still set an example for all of us.

100^thAnniversary - 2006 For its centennial celebration, the band commissioned Shelley Hanson, a local composer, to create a piece called Whiz Bang.  Director Michael Serber also composed The RCB Centennial March in honor of the occasion.  Both world premiers are a part of our musical repertoire.  Our hope is that they will be be published and made available to other bands throughout the country.

The Robbinsdale City Band is more than a series of concerts, parades and awards.  It is a vital part of its community.  It is described by its members as a "family."  Sharing the love of music is at the core of its existence.  But its uniqueness might best be summed up by the many concert attendees who describe concerts and events as "the way our country used to be."  We take pride in showing that it is the way our community still is!