The summer concert season is coming to a close for the Emporia Municipal Band. A career in local music is ending for conductor James Davis at the same time.
The final summer concert for the band is July 14. Once the final note is sounded, Davis is ending his time as conductor — and 35 years with the band in the process. On KVOE’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Davis said band has been in his blood for decades — and it was evident before he joined the band as a percussion player.
Davis says he was looking for a sign about retirement, but things just unfolded to make this the time to step aside.
Davis succeeded Gary McCarty, who led the band for 23 years before retiring in 2015 and moving to Arkansas. A successor to Davis has not been announced. Davis says the band’s board is determining the process and timetable for choosing the next director. In the meantime, Davis will concentrate on ministry after becoming a full-time pastor at Pleasant Hill Church of the Nazarene.
The Municipal Band has a concert at 8 pm Thursday before its final concert at 8 pm July 14. Both concerts are at Fremont Park.
7:20 am Wednesday initial story
The summer concert season is coming to a close for the Emporia Municipal Band. A career in local music is ending for conductor James Davis at the same time.
The final summer concert for the band is July 14. Once the final note is sounded, Davis is ending his time as conductor — and 35 years with the band in the process.
Davis succeeded Gary McCarty, who led the band for 23 years before retiring in 2015 and moving to Arkansas. A successor to Davis has not been announced.
Davis will join KVOE’s 8:05 am newscast with a look back at his career and a look to what’s ahead.
