OUR HISTORY
CHARLOTTE'S LONGEST RUNNING COMMUNITY BAND
The Charlotte Concert Band began in 1966, sparked by a simple question: where could local musicians perform? Jack Howren, owner of Howren’s Music Co., heard it often from customers. That curiosity led to conversations with friends and, eventually, a newspaper ad placed by Jim Hall, the band’s first director. The ad invited amateur musicians to come together, and the first rehearsal was held at Howren’s shop on Sixth Street. Soon after, the group moved to Myers Park High School. From that modest beginning, Charlotte’s longest-running community band was born.
In its early years, the ensemble—then called the Charlotte Community Band—gathered in the Myers Park band room with no intention of performing publicly. They met simply for the joy of making music. But after months of rehearsals, the group realized they had something special and gave their first concert for an audience of family and close friends.
By the 1970s, the band had grown in both size and ambition. Members sought a more permanent home with greater resources, and Gene Bryant, then Director of Music at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), welcomed the ensemble to campus. The band became an official course offering, renamed the CPCC Concert Band. Members enrolled each semester and paid tuition like any other student. Rehearsals were held in the Bryant Building (now demolished), and some devoted musicians took the course more than 30 times. As Jack Howren noted in 1981, “CPCC’s involvement is the only reason the band has stayed intact all these years.”
During the early CPCC years, the ensemble was directed by Bill Flowers, a former band director at Myers Park High School. Under his leadership, the band performed a wide range of music—from traditional marches and Broadway show tunes to classically inspired works.
Eventually, the North Carolina legislature passed regulations limiting how many times a student could retake a course. As a result, the CPCC Concert Band was discontinued as a formal class, and the organization began searching for a new rehearsal space.
A new chapter unfolded in the 1990s when Director Henry Grossek established a partnership with Queens College, now Queens University. The band gained access to Dana Auditorium, and Queens students joined for academic credit, performing alongside community musicians in a vibrant, intergenerational ensemble.
Under Don Morris, who led the band from 1998 to 2012, the group took major steps forward. It formed its first board of directors, incorporated in North Carolina, achieved nonprofit status, and launched its first website.
Under the direction of Drew Carter—Charlotte Concert Band’s longest-serving director since 2012—the ensemble has continued to elevate its musicality and deepen its community impact. Carter’s tenure has been marked by standout performances, including the ensemble’s appearance at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in 2015, a highlight of its 50th anniversary season. That same season saw the unveiling of a refreshed logo and regional media recognition, with a feature in the Charlotte Observer and a live segment on Fox 46 (WCCB). In 2018, the band presented its inspiring Musician for a Lifetime program at the Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, celebrating lifelong dedication to the arts. These milestones reflect Carter’s enduring commitment to artistic excellence and the ensemble’s evolving legacy.
When Dana Auditorium closed for renovations in 2018, the band relocated to Pritchard Church in South End, where it continues to rehearse today.
Now entering its 60th anniversary season, the Charlotte Concert Band has commissioned a new work by world-renowned composer Julie Giroux, set to premiere in March 2026. It’s a fitting tribute to a legacy built on passion, community, and the power of music.
Since 1966, the Charlotte Concert Band has performed thousands of pieces for audiences across the region—from festivals and churches to senior care homes and civic events. Hundreds of musicians have contributed to its sound, making the ensemble a lasting gem in Charlotte’s cultural landscape.
In its early years, the ensemble—then called the Charlotte Community Band—gathered in the Myers Park band room with no intention of performing publicly. They met simply for the joy of making music. But after months of rehearsals, the group realized they had something special and gave their first concert for an audience of family and close friends.
By the 1970s, the band had grown in both size and ambition. Members sought a more permanent home with greater resources, and Gene Bryant, then Director of Music at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), welcomed the ensemble to campus. The band became an official course offering, renamed the CPCC Concert Band. Members enrolled each semester and paid tuition like any other student. Rehearsals were held in the Bryant Building (now demolished), and some devoted musicians took the course more than 30 times. As Jack Howren noted in 1981, “CPCC’s involvement is the only reason the band has stayed intact all these years.”
During the early CPCC years, the ensemble was directed by Bill Flowers, a former band director at Myers Park High School. Under his leadership, the band performed a wide range of music—from traditional marches and Broadway show tunes to classically inspired works.
Eventually, the North Carolina legislature passed regulations limiting how many times a student could retake a course. As a result, the CPCC Concert Band was discontinued as a formal class, and the organization began searching for a new rehearsal space.
A new chapter unfolded in the 1990s when Director Henry Grossek established a partnership with Queens College, now Queens University. The band gained access to Dana Auditorium, and Queens students joined for academic credit, performing alongside community musicians in a vibrant, intergenerational ensemble.
Under Don Morris, who led the band from 1998 to 2012, the group took major steps forward. It formed its first board of directors, incorporated in North Carolina, achieved nonprofit status, and launched its first website.
Under the direction of Drew Carter—Charlotte Concert Band’s longest-serving director since 2012—the ensemble has continued to elevate its musicality and deepen its community impact. Carter’s tenure has been marked by standout performances, including the ensemble’s appearance at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in 2015, a highlight of its 50th anniversary season. That same season saw the unveiling of a refreshed logo and regional media recognition, with a feature in the Charlotte Observer and a live segment on Fox 46 (WCCB). In 2018, the band presented its inspiring Musician for a Lifetime program at the Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts, celebrating lifelong dedication to the arts. These milestones reflect Carter’s enduring commitment to artistic excellence and the ensemble’s evolving legacy.
When Dana Auditorium closed for renovations in 2018, the band relocated to Pritchard Church in South End, where it continues to rehearse today.
Now entering its 60th anniversary season, the Charlotte Concert Band has commissioned a new work by world-renowned composer Julie Giroux, set to premiere in March 2026. It’s a fitting tribute to a legacy built on passion, community, and the power of music.
Since 1966, the Charlotte Concert Band has performed thousands of pieces for audiences across the region—from festivals and churches to senior care homes and civic events. Hundreds of musicians have contributed to its sound, making the ensemble a lasting gem in Charlotte’s cultural landscape.
CHARLOTTE CONCERT BAND DIRECTORS
- Jim Hall, 1966 – 1967
- Ben McGrew, 1967-1972
- Bill Hanna, 1972-1973
- Bill Flowers, 1974-1985
- David Mills, 1986-1989
- Bill Lawing, 1990-1993
- John Harding, interim director, 1986-1993
- Henry Grossek, 1993-1995
- David Evans, 1995-1998
- Donald Morris, 1999-2012
- Drew Carter, 2012-present
