Morningside College and the All-America Concert Band have entered into a partnership that gives the band access to college facilities for performances and rehearsals during its 27th concert season.

Morningside College and the All-America Concert Band have entered into a partnership that gives the band access to college facilities for performances and rehearsals during its 27th concert season.

According to band spokesman Bob Knowler and Heath Weber, associate dean for performing arts at Morningside, the partnership is a first step in fostering a closer, long-term relationship between the two organizations.

The band’s 2016-17 season opens with the return of the Ice Cream Band Jam on Aug 31.  The Sioux City Public Museum, 607 Fourth St., will host the free ice cream sundae and impromptu “stump the band” concert.  The band will play in front of the museum entrance, starting at 6:30 p.m. Fourth Street between Nebraska and Jackson streets will be closed and filled with dozens of collector/antique automobiles. The concert is free.

The band’s concert season begins the next week with rehearsals at Morningside College in preparation for the Oct. 16 opening performance with guest conductor Larry Mitchell, professor emeritus of music at the University of South Dakota, taking the baton for the band’s director, Larry Williams.  The band will continue its policy of selecting a non-profit organization to benefit from each concert, receiving 100 percent of the admission revenue.

The All-America Concert Band was founded in 1990 by the late Mike Hogan. The band’s first meeting was held at Morningside College, as were rehearsals for the first couple of years.  Eight of its original 35 members still perform with the band.