History of the West Des Moines Community Band

The original West Des Moines Community Band was started in the early 1980s. It was directed by Jim Sellend, and rehearsals were held at Indian Hills Junior High where Sellend was the band educator. The band was disbanded a few years later. 

In the autumn of 2005, the United States was fighting a war in Iraq, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was playing in theaters, and West Des Moines was starting up a community band. Todd Seaman, former Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent of Recreation, thought our city needed a band again. He offered space at the then-titled Community Center in Valley Junction and convinced Mark Hawkins to be the first WDM Community Band Director. Posters announcing the band's formation were displayed around the city, and local newspapers mentioned the band's upcoming rehearsals.

Initial turnout was about fifteen to twenty musicians, including some who were very accomplished and others who hadn't played in years. The trombone section was well represented, but clarinet and percussion players were badly needed. The most acute shortage was for a tuba player. Another problem was finding music suitable for such a diverse collection of talent. Despite the many challenges, the West Des Moines Community Band played its first concert in December of 2005 at the newly constructed Jordan Creek Mall.