Former resident member of championship band

Former Cathlamet resident Roger Caliman played percussion as Kansas City Fountain City Brass Band claimed victories at the North American Brass Band Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 3.

It was the sixth time since 2007 that the Kansas City band had become NABBA Champions, although this time it was achieved with a brace of performances that were close to perfection according to the adjudicators; gaining six individual marks of 98 or 99 out of 100 on the set-work, ‘From Ancient Times' and their own-choice of ‘Audivi Media Nocte.'

Caliman attended elementary and middle school in Cathlamet and graduated from high school in Seattle. He earned a teaching degree and teaches music in Kansas city.

The band is composed of music teachers and similar musicians who volunteer to play in the band. They gather to rehearse days before their performances, according to Caliman's mother, Jan Caliman of Cathlamet.

"They are an extremely accomplished group, and have won many national titles and championships," Jan Caliman said. "The players are all volunteer, but put in countless hours of practice, dedication, and love for the music."