Community Band To Receive Spirit Of Batavia Award

BATAVIA, IL — Batavia Community Band, formed in October 2013, has been named the receipient of the sixth-annual Spirit of Batavia Award, an honor given to a local organization that has made significant contributions to the community.

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce will present the band with its award at Inspire 2022: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us, an annual awards event that will take place Jan. 27 at the Lincoln Inn Banquets, 1345 S. Batavia Ave.

"The Batavia Community Band is totally volunteer and is run by donations and goodwill offerings," Mayor Jeffery Schielke said in a statement. "They exemplify this award. The band is a collection of music lovers who simply want to produce good music for the community and its events."

John Heath, a retired Batavia High School band director, and Linda Schielke, a retired school administrator, formed the group eight years ago. With about 45 active members, the band is "thrilled" to receive the award, according to Linda.

"After reviewing the recipients of this award from previous years, we are honored to be in such excellent company,” she said in a statement. "I think we all have something in common: through our efforts, Batavians are lifted up, whether through financial, material or emotional support, or through experiencing the joy of music as a community. We all try to help others enjoy life more and feel a part of a greater family. The Batavia Community Band has worked tirelessly for eight years to help all Batavians make wonderful memories in their hometown and find joy in common celebrations."

Tickets to the event, starting at 6 p.m., can be purchased on the Chamber's website. Admission is $55 for Chamber members and $65 for non-members.

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