St. John's Brass Band

The St. John's Brass Band from Effingham, Ill., is making its debut at this year's festival. Originally formed at St. John's Lutheran Church in 1995 as a brass ensemble to play at weddings and worship services, the group has since branched out to other musical styles including classical, pop, Dixieland, jazz and patriotic numbers.

They perform every year for Effingham's Transportation Celebration and Fourth of July festivities. They also played during the visit of the Vietnam Memorial Wall moving exhibit. As committed musicians, members of St. John's Brass Band share their knowledge and skills with high school students while performing in the pit orchestras for school musicals and with pep bands at local basketball games. They lend their skills to community theater performances as well. Members of the St. John's Brass Band are also members of the Kaskaskia College Jazz & Concert Bands, the Sounds of Swing Jazz Band, and the Fine Arts County of Effingham Orchestra. They have performed at numerous benefit concerts, fund-raisers, and weddings not only in the Effingham area but all over the state of Illinois.