Not much raises holiday spirits more than a jolly brass band covering a collection of seasonal favorites and traditional Christmas music. Among the many bands spreading good cheer this month is the Denver Municipal Band, a longtime Mile High City musical staple.

Founded in 1861 by Alex Sutherland, a bugler who survived the Charge of the Light Brigade, the Denver Municipal Band is the second-oldest, continuously-performing concert band in the nation, topped only by the United States Marine Corps Band, according to DMB Executive Director Scott Merchant.

Back in the day, Denver City — as it was known — was a bustling frontier town that catered to miners, traders and cattlemen with a generous offering of gambling and local saloons.

However, the founding fathers envisioned Denver as something more, a potential “Paris on the Platte,” and set out to change the city’s rowdy image, encouraging people to stay, have families, and become a part of an emerging new culture in the West.

A “fine municipal band” would be key.

Now celebrating its 40th year as a non-profit organization, the 163-year-old Denver Municipal Band continues to delight visitors and Denverites alike with an eclectic repertoire of everything from John Philip Sousa to Paul Simon — and in most cases, for free as part of its summer concert series in many of the city’s beautiful parks.

DMB musicians are professionals with experience playing in other ensembles, such as the Denver Brass and the Denver Symphony.

“We play marches, we play jazz, we play swing, we play pop, we play contemporary,” Merchant said. “We play arrangements from local musicians, arrangements from nationally recognized composers — we’ve done arrangements for ‘80s music, ‘90s music, mash-ups…”

The band’s size can be as flexible as its music selection.

“So our band has multiple permutations,” Merchant explained. “We have a full concert band, which is the 40-piece band, and our smaller ensembles include a brass choir and a brass quintet. We also have a full jazz band.”

The DMB has been funded by the city since 1891.

The city remains its major funding source, as do grants from Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and Colorado Creative Industries. Merchant said funding also comes from partnerships with neighborhood associations and private donations. 

This year, the DMB has added private concert performances, hoping to increase revenue to pay for even more concerts and music workshops for youth.

“Throughout its history, the Denver Municipal Band has brought (music) programming and workshops to elementary, middle, and high schools around the Denver metro area,” Merchant said. “This has a profound impact on young people; teaching them the humanities gives them humanity. Providing these programs at no cost for our school partners aligns with our goal of being accessible to any low-income or underserved communities.”

Merchant said keeping the concerts free and open to the public is a major driving force for the organization.

“Music and art shouldn’t just be for people who can afford it,” he said. “It should be for anyone who wants it and for anyone who wants to be part of it.”

For more information on the Denver Municipal Band and upcoming performances, visit denvermunicipalband.org.