Mount Prospect community band hires new director

The Mount Prospect Community Band has a new director and a new board, after the firing of the previous conductor led several performers to quit earlier this fall.

Monty Adams, a professional conductor who has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, will lead the community band, according to the Mount Prospect Park District.

Adams' musical career has spanned almost 40 years and includes performing as principal flutist with the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., serving as a permanent member of several Chicago Symphony Orchestra ensembles for two decades, and his current work as music director and conductor for both the Ridgeville Band of Evanston and the Lakeside Flutes.

"I am excited to work with a band with such a great history and so many resources provided by the Mount Prospect Park District," Adams said in a statement released by the park district Tuesday. "I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition of great performances - especially summer outdoor concerts - making music with dedicated fine musicians that have made up this band for many years."

After former director Ralph Wilder was fired by the park district in October, all of the band except for 12 to 15 members quit in protest. A handful of remaining members formed a new band board, which conducted the search for a new director, said Ruth Yueill, superintendent of community relations and marketing for the park district.

Yuill said Adams will begin rehearsals with the band on Jan. 18 and hopes that some of the band members who left will join the new musicians. The band practices 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, at RecPlex, 420 W. Dempster St..