Silver and Gold Band a community mainstay
Many of us don’t give much thought to the Silver and Gold Band performing at community events. The band has always been there before — for decades and decades — so it’s easy to think the band will always survive.
That, however, is not necessarily the case. The Silver and Gold Band, known as the longest-running community band in Tennessee history, is struggling to keep its membership up. The group has published several requests in the Standard urging any interested musicians to step forward and join the band.
We hope these requests receive a steady response because the Silver and Gold Band is a prominent part of Warren County history. The band is one of those things we tend to take for granted until it’s gone. That’s when we really miss it. Sort of like the Park Theater.
But the forecast is not completely gloomy. The Silver and Gold Band is a long way from playing its last tune. The group was energized earlier this week with a changing of leadership. Longtime director Sam Cordell passed the baton to Mike Chilcutt, a former WCHS band director.
Chilcutt is determined to revitalize the band, which is losing participation mainly because its members and growing older. Chilcutt is encouraging any of his former high school students to come to Silver and Gold practices, and is even searching for a corporate sponsor to help with some of the expenses. Chilcutt will also likely inject new songs into the band’s play list.
We wish Chilcutt the best of luck in his effort to revitalize the Silver and Gold Band. The band is a long-standing piece of Warren County history and one this community should not allow to slip away.