"The Stars and Stripes Forever March," composed by John Philip Sousa in 1897, is the final number of every concert performed by the Lima Area Concert Band, and has been since Gail F. Woolley, Sr., founded the community band in 1970.

    Although the Lima Area Concert Band is known for its patriotic and soul-stirring toe-tapping marches, the concerts offer romantic classics, some snappy show tunes, sometimes a little blues, spiritual gospels, some lively jazz and even some low-down hoedown has been heard occasionally. Hometown talent is encouraged by showcasing vocalists and instrumentalists as guest artists, along with some more well-known performers at the season’s series presented in the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center.

    The mission of the Lima Area Concert Band is to provide our audience with high quality musical entertainment utilizing area musicians.

    Many of the playing members of the band are college-trained musicians who are employed in other fields but love to play good band music. This organization, under the direction of John R. Hill, offers them the opportunity to enjoy a high level of respect in the musical community.

    The Lima Area concert Band is a nonprofit organization proudly serving the surrounding counties as well as Lima’s excellent cultural community.

    Annually, a $500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding area high school senior who will include band music in their college education. Presentation is made at the "Tribute to Sousa" concert in June.

Contributions should be mailed to:

Scholarship
Lima Area Concert Band
P. O. Box 732
Lima, OH 45802