Organized January 1972, The Naples Concert Band originally consisted of 10 musicians playing to hundreds of musical lovers. Today, our band has grown to over 90 musicians who often play to thousands during peak season here in Naples. We love to see friends, neighbors, and members of the community enjoying a night of music in our beautiful city!
In 1983, we established the Kenneth P. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship program and awarded $500 to the first high school student band member — who we are proud to say is now a full time adult participant in the Band. Since that time, the Band has awarded over $115,900 in student scholarships. To be eligible for the scholarship, students are required to submit an application to play in the band, play a minimum number of rehearsals and concerts in the band, and provide a related comprehensive essay.
An important part of Naples Concert Band’s overall mission is the support and enhancement of local music education programs. NCB supports school music programs by collaborating with the Music Foundation of Greater Naples to present Master Classes for qualified students in Collier County schools. During the 2018-19 school year, NCB contributed $5,000 to the operation of the program. To qualify students must have played their instrument for at least 1.5 years and be recommended by their band or orchestra director. Master Class coaches are experienced performers, music educators, and student music education majors at the Bower School of Music and Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Naples Concert Band has also worked closely with the City of Naples to build the original Band Shell in Cambier Park in 1987 and the major renovation in 2001. This outdoor stage has not only benefited the Band, but is widely used by many other local and visiting performance groups. In all, the Naples Concert Band initiated the idea of a Band Shell, raised over $500,000 for the construction and renovation, and actually installed the memorial bricks in front of the stage. It was a labor of love that we still love seeing today!
With an operating budget of approximately $89,000 per year, the Band relies on individual and corporate gifts to enable it to continue offering free concerts in the park. The Band is grateful to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and the City of Naples for the use of rehearsal and concert sites. Approximately 87 percent of the budget comes from private donations and audience contributions at concerts.
The tremendous growth in audiences has inspired the Band to reach new levels of performance. This required additional funding for equipment, music, printing, marketing, and related expenses. In addition, the Band has established an Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County and would like to build its reserves as a means to support major capital expenditures, supplement scholarships, and meet extraordinary expenses.
Please consider sponsoring a Sunday concert, placing a Sponsorship Ad in our program or providing a special gift or donation. Thank you!