The Great Bend City Band will bring rock harmonies to the stage Tuesday night when it performs the world premiere of Steve Lueth’s Everly Brothers arrangement.
 The concert including the original work will begin at 8:15 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin. This is the final concert of the summer and will also include special ensembles and the traditional closing with “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Lueth, Barton Community College’s director of instrumental activities, said he was commissioned by the band’s director Kurtis Koch to arrange a concert band selection. Lueth also plays tuba in the group.
“I have done a couple of arrangements for the Great Bend City Band before,” Lueth said. The last one was an arrangement of TV western themes. This year is an arrangement of the Everly Brothers music, including “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Wake Up, Little Susie,” “Devoted To You” and “Cathy’s Clown.”
Koch and Lueth have known each other for over 30 years, having played gigs together in the past. So, Koch knew of Lueth’s abilities.
With a masters in music education from Fort Hays State University, Lueth said his degree has a heavy emphasis in composition. “I had entertained the idea at one time of getting a second masters degree in composition, but when my first born son came along, family matters came first.”
 Lueth came to BCC six years ago. He has played in the City Band since taking the job.
“The Great Bend City Band is a tradition that is almost as old as the community,” Lueth said, adding it has continually performed every year for the community since its inception. “The City Band is an outstanding example of a heritage that brings the people of Great Bend and the surrounding towns together in a positive atmosphere.”
Each week during the season, the audience consists of a wide variety of listeners. The concerts are free and offer a cultural experience.
“In this economic and educational environment, it is good to know that the arts in Great Bend are alive and well,” Lueth said. “Many other communities throughout the nation have become short-sighted and have cut fine arts programs in the schools and the community.”
In order for the fine arts to flourish in a community, he said, it takes all members of the community to be active supporters through participation, attendance and support of youth- and adult-oriented art activities. “Art is one of the benchmarks when a family is looking to move into a community.”
Great Bend has this.
The band is also a blend of older and younger musicians. “Many of the adults that play in the band are music teachers, either active or retired,” Lueth said. “I’m sure the younger ones in the band appreciate the ‘free lessons’ they get at every rehearsal. The adults provide an excellent example sitting next to young instrumentalists of the love we have of music and playing our instruments.”
Not all of the members are music teachers. “There are many people from all walks of life who participate in the band ... doctors, lawyers, accountants, business people, and housewives. The list goes on and on.”
Lueth is originally from Lincolnville. “Music has always been in my life.”
After graduating from Centre High School in 1973, he went to FHSU. “While attending Fort Hays, I associated with members of the Salina Silver Sabres, Great Bend Argonne Rebels and Hutchinson Sky Ryders drum and bugle corps.”
He joined the Silver Sabres and marched for three years and then became one of the horn instructors for two years. “With my experience in drum corps and participating in various musical groups at Ft. Hays, I developed an interest in arranging and composing.”
He has arranged for a low brass choir, a symphony, a gospel quartet and jazz ensemble.
He taught music at Ness City for one year and Russell for 25 years before coming to Barton.
“I have always enjoyed Great Bend since I marched in drum corps,” Lueth said. “Barton Community College is one of Great Bend’s greatest assets. I have been associated with many of the previous and current music faculty at Barton, especially J.B. Webster, Mike Compton and Vern Fryberger. Because of the association of past and current faculty, I have always had a deep respect of the tradition of outstanding fine arts at the college.”