A rich musical history
Our Roots
The Adrian City Band was originally founded in 1838 by William Tutten as the Adrian Brass Band and over a number of years and consolidations of other area ensembles became the Imperial Band of Adrian and evolved to a full concert band instrumentation. In 1926 the Imperial Band reclaimed its hometown namesake as The Adrian City Band. The ACB is believed to be the one of the oldest continuously active community band in the United States.
Where we are now
This is Adrian, Michigan's own community band. We give free and family-friendly concerts of traditional band music including marches, medleys from nearly every genre, classical transcriptions, and newer art music written specifically for wind ensemble. We frequently feature talented solo musicians from throughout the county.
Our Legacy
Over the past 185 years, the Adrian City Band has evolved and developed into an organization that is at its core, a place to share and develop a lifelong passion for music. Generations of musicians have shaped and molded it into a community of individuals who foster a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere and are embracing and accepting of anyone who takes the time out of their lives to be a part of this ensemble. A sense of humor and humility, as well as mutual respect, have also continued to provide us with opportunities to celebrate each other, cultivate treasured memories, and create lifelong friendships with each other and the community members who enjoy our performances. It is our sincere belief that these unique qualities and characteristics are what have sustained us and heave led to the Adrian City Band’s legacy and longevity.
Our Director
Brian P Gorski
Brian is in his third year as the director of the Adrian City Band. He is a Blissfield native and has played as a member with the band (on Tuba) through his formative years in high school and again as he returned to the area after pursuing a degree in Music Performance from Eastern Michigan University. While attending EMU he was principal tubist for both the EMU symphony orchestra as well as the Wind Symphony. In 2011 he won the William Stewart Undergraduate soloist competition and was featured as a soloist with the EMU Symphonic Band. He served as the president of the Delta Epsilon chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon at EMU, an International Professional Music Fraternity. After graduating he served as the Administrative Assistant for the EMU Bands Department for several years. During his time at the EMU School of Music and Dance, both as a student and as a staff member, Brian had the opportunity to study and collaborate with a diverse and accomplished variety of music educators, conductors and performers including, Matt Tropman, Aaron Tindall, Gail Robertson, Mark Waymire, John Zastoupil, Trey Jacobs, Amy Knopps, and Mary Schneider.
Brian is currently active as a guest clinician and a freelance musician in Southeastern Michigan and Ohio where he works with several area music programs. He maintains a studio of musicians to whom he teaches private lessons and frequently performs in the pit orchestras of several area musical theater productions including many high schools and as well as a few regional theaters. In addition to playing tuba and conducting, he also plays jazz bass and is quite active in his local church. Brian serves on the Board of Directors for LSM Performing Arts, Inc. a music, marching and pageantry arts organization based in the Downriver area of Southeastern Michigan.
He Writes:
“For the years I participated in high school, and now again as I have returned to Lenawee county, the Adrian City Band has been such a welcoming and warm place to share and develop my lifelong passion for music. The hours I have spent with this ensemble have been paramount to my journey as a musician and human. I hope to pass on this passion and provide an opportunity for other musicians to develop their passions and cultivate treasured memories and friendships with some of Lenawee county’s finest musicians.”