Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, July 25
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Arts»Photo gallery: Eden Prairie Community Band celebrates 50 years
    Arts

    Photo gallery: Eden Prairie Community Band celebrates 50 years

    Gillian HolteBy Gillian HolteJuly 26, 20232 Mins Read

    The Eden Prairie Community Band celebrated 50 years of music on Sunday at the Staring Lake Amphitheatre.

    Eden Prairie residents and former band members enjoyed music from throughout the band’s 50-year history, as well as the piece “West of Eden Prairie” composed by member Clinton Clark.

    “Community isn’t just in our name,” said Jonah Thune, band president. “We have members ranging from teenage to nonagenarians, and those 90-year-olds show no sign of slowing down.”

    Former Eden Prairie Community Band directors Emmet “Em” Stark, Marilyn Rateike and Thomas Maeck were in attendance. The current band director is Tom Muehlbauer.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    “I’ve always told people that the best seat in the house is where Tom (Muehlbauer) stands right on that podium because you not only get to hear that music but also feel it, and it’s just a beautiful thing,” Rateike said.”

    • Katie Geske and Cheryl Sykora performed at the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House before the concert. Geske has been with the Eden Prairie Community Band since 1994, and Sykora joined in 2021.
    • The first Eden Prairie Community Band director, Emmet “Em” Stark, was in attendance. He served as the band director from 1973 to 1999.
    • Percussionist Clinton Clark composed “West of Eden Prairie,” performed by the Eden Prairie Community Band. The piece paints five musical pictures, starting with an early morning sunrise before heading west on a wagon train.
    • Band director Tom Muehlbauer encourages audience participation during Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” chorus.
    • Charlie Rockler leads kids around the Staring Lake Amphitheatre. He was a member of the Eden Prairie Community Band from 1979 to 2014.
    • Former Eden Prairie Community Band directors Marilyn Rateike, Em Stark, and Thomas Maeck watch Sunday’s concert.
    • The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band performs “Watermelon Man” by Herbie Hancock.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleFormer Eden Prairie City Council member runs for mayor in North Carolina
    Next Article EP’s annual ‘Night to Unite’ donations support PROP Food

    More to READ

    5 Mins Read

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ welcomes Marvel’s first family to the cinematic universe

    July 24, 2025
    4 Mins Read

    Eden Prairie Liquor launches THC gummy, invites public to name it

    July 23, 2025
    3 Mins Read

    Kaleidoscope Teens to perform at PeopleFest! for album launch

    July 22, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Preserve’s sand-bottom pool marks 50 seasons as a hidden gem

    July 24, 2025

    Preserve pool’s early years remembered by first manager

    July 24, 2025

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ welcomes Marvel’s first family to the cinematic universe

    July 24, 2025

    Eden Prairie Liquor launches THC gummy, invites public to name it

    July 23, 2025

    Highway 5 to close this weekend in Eden Prairie

    July 23, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Gold Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.