The Worthington Civic Band was formed in 1973 under the direction of Richard Suddendorf. Other former directors have included Mary Jo Gaskella and Elaine Ostrander. The band has performed at the 1975, 1993 and 2001 American School Band Directors Association National Conventions, the 1983, 1989, 1992 and the 1998 Ohio Music Education Association State Conferences. In addition to local concerts, the
band performs for many area retirement and nursing homes, as well as for charity fund-raising functions. They also collaborate with Junior and Senior High School Bands on concerts to promote “life-long learning.” Members range in age from 24 to 85, and many were college music majors. The band traveled to Europe in July 1992, playing concerts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In the summer of 1995, they performed in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and London and in July 1997, performed at Disney World. The band toured and performed in Australia in July 2000 and performed in Hawaii in June 2001. In June of 2003, they traveled to Italy, performing in Venice, Florence and Rome. The band traveled to Ireland and Scotland in July 2007, performing in Kinsale and Dublin, Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland. The band traveled to Spain and Portugal in July 2010 (performing in Madrid, Carmona and Lisbon). The band took a Caribbean Cruise to Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico, with Allen Beck in 2013 and most recently a trip to Walt Disney World to perform at Disney Springs World Showcase stage. All members volunteer their time, and also pay their own way on trips. Donations received by the band are used for incidental expenses. Robert M. Gibson is the current of the Worthington Civic Band, and fourth director in the organizations 46 year history. He has been a member of the Worthington Civic Band since 1998. Mr. Gibson recently retired from the education field after being involved with school music for 34 years, most recently with the Dublin City Schools, Dublin, Ohio. He served four years with “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps as a section player, Music Theory instructor & soprano bugle soloist. He also served five years with the 122nd Ohio Army National Guard Band as the assistant conductor, music librarian, trumpet section leader and director of the Army Brass Quintet. Gibson earned his BMus from Ohio University in 1980 and his M.Ed. from Ashland University in 2004. In 2009, Mr. Gibson was appointed Director of Bands at Ohio Dominican University and remained there until his collegiate retirement in June, 2015. While at ODU, he directed the university’s “Marching Panthers" Band, Wind Ensemble and Pep Band. Gibson’s many professional memberships include the Association of Concert Bands, American School Band Directors Association, College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Ohio Music Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He remains an active performer, playing trumpet throughout the Central Ohio area. Gibson resides in Dublin with his wife, Debbie.
