Many throughout the community have heard The Platte Valley Festival Band (PVFB) perform at various local functions and in the City Park of Fort Morgan. Our community band is unique to northeastern Colorado and has a history that most recently can be traced to the 1990s.

The band has grown to approximately 50 serious volunteers who play for the pure amusement and enjoyment of ourselves and our audiences.

We perform approximately 20 times each year and annually have both a formal Christmas and Spring concert. There is no charge for any of these performances.

Outreach programs include playing with local schools’ music departments to provide students the opportunity to play with experienced musicians, supplying live music for graduation ceremonies at schools with no music department, providing entertainment for nursing homes’ events, etc. We willingly travel and play for any reasonable request in our area, again for no fee.

Weekly practices are Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center, 110 Sherman St. in Fort Morgan, which is provided by the city of Fort Morgan, and are open to any enthusiastic musician of any age without audition. All skill levels are welcomed as experienced musicians enjoy mentoring new and young musicians. Ages range from middle school to 80-plus.

Due to our increasing numbers, we find we have the need for new music scores, specialty instruments, accessories, supplies and travel expenses.  Music scores begin at $80 per single piece of music,and specialty instruments and upkeep can be several hundred to several thousands of dollars.

Due to our fiscal need, we would like to provide sponsorships to any individual, business or organization that has an interest in financially supporting instrumental music in the form of recognition in our programs which we hand out at concerts, and on our website.

The Platte Valley Festival Band is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so any contributions are tax-deductible.

If you have questions or wish to support our efforts, contact us at http://plattevalleyband.tripod.com or through any PVFB member. If you wish to make a contribution, they can be mailed to PVFB, c/o Martha Bieber, 1021 Diana, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.

If a contribution is not possible, we invite you to support us by attendance.

The community band’s existence and increasing numbers both of band members and audiences prove that through music, band is a lifelong “team sport” that is not bound by age. Music is the common denominator that brings diverse backgrounds and beliefs together in a bipartisan way.

We thank those who have previously supported us and appreciate your review of the Platte Valley Festival Band’s requests for donations.

Due to generous donations, we have been able to purchase new music stands, specialty percussion instruments, and some more music this year.  We hope to be able to grow and expand even more over time and continued support is greatly appreciated.

Martha A. Bieber, secretary

Todd Zwetzig, president

Ann & Ben Hamilton, vice-presidents

Kathy Westhoff, treasurer

Sue & Jarrold Schaefer, directors

Chuck Morgan, conductor