The Decatur Municipal Band keeps going … and going … and going.

This is its 150th continuous year.

"We've never stopped," said Tom Ferriell, the business manager for 30 years. "The stick-to-it resolve is remarkable. We're one of the oldest nonmilitary bands in continuous service in the United States."

A summer delight is listening to the music on Sunday night in the Fairview Park main pavilion and on Monday night in Central Park. See and hear for free.

The musicians - retired people, businessmen and women, high school and college students and teachers - are as appreciative as the listeners.

Pete Frank has been playing baritone horn since he was discharged from the Navy in 1947. "I keep playing because I love the music," he said.

Lee Freeland, trumpet, has been in the band since 1941. Bill Rutherford, trumpet, dates from 1947. They're not about to give up.

The old-timers, including clarinetist Jim Walker and trombonist Gary Shaw, play for a few dollars and the satisfaction of providing high-quality music.

Simon Nicholson, 16, a MacArthur High School percussionist, likes the experience of playing in the band's classical setting. Simon's brother Kyle is an intern in the trumpet section.

"We don't get paid, but it's a great learning experience," Simon said.

Aaron Villearreal, also a MacArthur percussionist, admitted: "It keeps me reading music during the summer."

MacArthur student Michael Morthland is a triple threat - bassoon, percussion and saxophone.

Jim Culbertson is in his 29th year as the musical director and conductor of the Decatur Municipal Band. Culbertson strives to pick music entertaining to the audience and rewarding to the musicians.

There's a guest vocalist and an instrumental soloist each week. The Sunday concerts begin at 6 p.m. and last one hour. They run through July 29. The Monday concerts start at 7 p.m. for two hours and run through Aug. 27. Shirley Kistler, retired drama teacher at Eisenhower High School, is in her 19th year as master of ceremonies.

The band, which is funded by the city of Decatur, also will be in the Decatur Celebration parade and will appear in concert during Celebration.

At the annual fall concert in October, the band will premier a composition it has commissioned from British composer Phillip Sparke. The Opus 24 classical singing group and the Millikin University Brass Quintet will join in the season-ending concert.

Summer season

The summer lineup, with guest vocalist and/or instrumental soloist:

July 2: "A Patriotic Presentation," Leann Schuering

July 9: "Sousa and His Contemporaries," Debbie Seelhoefer, Mike McDonald

July 16: "Famous Composer Series," Julie Schafer, Tina Nicholson

July 23: "Contemporary Concert Works," Hadi Gibbons, Randall Reyman

July 30: "Classics for Band," Jesse Upah, Pete Harris

Aug. 6: "Celebration in Central Park," Molly Shade, Jim Walker

Aug. 13: "A Musical Travelogue," Julie Andrews, Sharon Huff

Aug. 20: "August Potpourri," Perry Rask

Aug. 27: "Summer's Recap"