Pops conductor John Morris Russell rehearses Florence Community Band

It was not just another rehearsal Monday night for the 70 members of the Florence Community Band. The all-volunteer group was conducted by Cincinnati Pops guest conductor John Morris Russell. It was the first time in the 40-year history of the group that one of Cincinnati Symphony’s orchestral conductors had rehearsed the ensemble.

“It was a spirited rehearsal,” one of the band members was heard to say. Russell drilled the attendees in Joseph Wilcox Jenkins’ “American Overture for Band” and “Choose Joy” by Randall Standridge. The conductor said he recalled performing “American Overture” as a high school band student.

Maestro Russell was born and raised in Cleveland. He has been Cincinnati Pops conductor since 2011, succeeding the late Erich Kunzel. Russell also directs the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and is Principal Pops conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Symphony, following Doc Severensen and Marvin Hamlisch.

As a guest conductor, John Morris Russell has led many of North America’s most distinguished ensembles, including orchestras from the Boston Pops to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and a number of orchestras in Canada. Russell was associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra from 1995-2006 where he regularly led concerts at Music Hall and the Riverbend Music Center.

Since 2017, the Florence Community Band has been directed by retired Boone County High School director Dave Webber. The City of Florence-backed ensemble is a group of music majors, retired band directors, high school band students, and all-around music enthusiasts. The band plays music of all kinds with a wide range of difficulty for those seeking a challenge or for those just looking to make music with friends.

The Florence Community Band has two upcoming public joint concerts with high school ensembles: March 25 at Boone County High School Performing Arts Center, and April 1 at Conner High School.