Monroe County Historical Society receives grant from Target for Custer Celebration Event concerts

Aug. 18, 2008 - PRLog -- Monroe County Historical Society today announced a partnership with Target® in recognition of its efforts in promoting Monroe County history through music at its annual Custer Celebration Event, which runs from October 3 to October 11, 2008.

The Target grant enables the historical society to present two exciting outdoor concerts at St. Mary’s Park, free of charge, to residents as well as visitors to Monroe, Michigan during this weeklong event.

Friday evening’s concert, scheduled for October 10th at 7 p.m., features the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard under the command and direction of Chief Warrant Officer Jon Montgomery. Based in Grand Rapids, the 126th Army Band has been entertaining audiences for over 48 years and has earned praise from music critics and audiences alike. The band is comprised of military veterans including those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The tradition of military music in the Michigan National Guard dates back to colonial militia units at Michigan’s frontier forts. Colonial regiments stationed at Forts Detroit, Mackinac, and Michilimackinac all employed drummers, fifers, or buglers as signal musicians as early as the 18th century.

At the beginning of the Civil War, State Militia Regiments were each assigned a Regimental Band and many Michigan artillery, infantry, and cavalry regiments marched to war with such bands. During the Civil War, General George A. Custer, Commanding General of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, even went so far as to order the band first into battle in a famous engagement at Brandy Station

Saturday afternoon’s concert, held on October 11th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., features the Golden Griffon Stringtet with contra dance caller Karen Dunnam. The Golden Griffon Stringtet will play Civil War tunes and 18th century jigs, reels and waltzes.  Audience members can learn the art of contra dancing as Dunnam, one of the top Civil War callers in Michigan, leads with skillful instruction.  

“Music has played an essential role in our military and social history,” said Sandy Alexander, Custer Celebration Event program chair. “Through this generous grant from Target, we’re pleased to be able to offer programs that reflect and continue this tradition.

“These concerts allow friends and families the opportunity to gather and enjoy two first-class musical performances in a community setting that carries on the tradition of promoting friendship, social interaction and civic pride. “

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.

“At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with Monroe County Historical Society Custer Celebration Event as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

Additionally, Target gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

•    Take Charge of Education®, a school fundraising program;

•    Target Field Trip Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life for students through the distribution of grants;

•    Ready.Sit.Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in
children at an early age;

•    Target House®, which serves as a home away from home for families of children
receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis;

•    Target Volunteers, a program where Target team members and retirees annually
donate more than 350,000 hours of time to more than 7,500 community-based projects

For further information on these community concerts and the upcoming Custer Celebration Event, visit: http://blogsmonroe.com/custer or call: 734 241-0201.

About MCHS Custer Celebration Event Programs Committee
The Monroe County Historical Society’s Custer Celebration Event Programs Committee was formed to raise awareness of General George Armstrong Custer’s life, times and impact on Monroe County’s history.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at more than 1,600 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target  gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

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