A communitywide birthday bash will hit a high note June 17 in Springfield Township, where plans are in place for the premiere of a specially commissioned musical piece.

Area residents are invited to attend the celebration that marks Springfield Township's 175th anniversary; the village of Holland's 150th anniversary, and the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps' 50th anniversary.

In addition to performances by the Springfield High School Marching Band and the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps, the free, family event will include introductions of local officials and organizations and will be capped off with fireworks.

A star of the show will be the debut of "Centauri," composed by John Brennan, who arranges music for the Ohio State University Marching Band. He and Springfield High School assistant band director Travis Pennell were in the OSU marching band at the same time.

Late last week, Mr. Pennell directed Springfield's freshmen and sophomore band members as they polished the piece for the upcoming performance. Upperclassmen rehearse under the baton of band director Kathy McGrady, who was instrumental in making arrangements for a musical piece to be composed for the township and village anniversaries.

Typically, it would take a couple of years and several thousand dollars to make something like that happen, but things fell into place rather quickly (and at the right price) after the idea was introduced to Mr. Brennan a few months ago.

"Little things became big things, and now we have this big, beautiful thing," Ms. McGrady said. "It's been wonderful."

When the Glassmen Drum & Bugle Corps was added to the event lineup, some additional work was done on the musical piece for that group's instruments. The corps and the Springfield band will perform "Centauri" during the June 17 celebration at the Springfield Community Stadium near the high school.

"I call that icing on the cake," Ms. McGrady said. "This is going to be one big birthday bash."

Julia Boehler, 16, who plays clarinet in the Springfield band, said she really likes the musical piece, noting it is "so cool" that "Centauri "was written "just for us and the community. It means a lot." The anniversary celebration, she said, will be a time when "everyone can come together and enjoy music. Music unites people. It is something everyone can enjoy. Everyone can share their love for music."

Band members were startled several days ago when Mr. Pennell made a call during rehearsal. On the other end of the line: Mr. Brennan, who, after hearing his work performed, said, "Sweet."

"He said he really liked it. That was amazing," Miss Boehler said.

It's particularly amazing for high school students to interact with a living, breathing composer. Usually, students play music written by composers who are "decomposers," meaning Bach, Beethoven, and others who have passed on, Ms. McGrady pointed out.

Mr. Pennell said the musical piece was tailor-made for the band. It's not too easy; not too difficult. It has been a challenge and a valuable learning experience, he said.

Students learned they couldn't listen to a recording of the musical piece, other than a synthesized version. That was because nobody had played, performed, and recorded it yet.

"We're the first," said Mr. Pennell who described "Centauri" as a high-energy, celebratory piece that captures the excitement of the three anniversaries.

Organizers of the celebration hope for a packed house. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. with colors posted by members of the 983rd Engineering Battalion, the Holland American Legion, and Springfield's JROTC.

Springfield's band will perform a few patriotic songs, and then there will be introductions of community youth sports organizations, local Scouts, the Holland-Springfield Rotary; the Holland-Springfield Chamber of Commerce; the Holland Springfield Spencer Historical Society; Springfield Township trustees; Holland village officials, and the Springfield Board of Education.

"The whole idea is to recognize and really show the people in our community who make the community what it is today," said Leslie Kohli, township administrator.

Springfield Township Trustee Bob Bethel will present a plaque to Mr. Brennan, and event sponsors will be introduced as well.

The $1,500 cost for "Centauri" was picked up by the township, but Ms. Kohli, who is assisting with the celebration, said private donations and sponsorships likely will cover that and other costs.

In addition to the June 17 event, plans are under way for a September celebration at Community Homecoming Park with food vendors; entertainment; an anniversary-related skit, and other activities.

Contact Janet Romaker at: jromaker@theblade.com or 419-724-6006.

First Published June 8, 2011, 4:00 a.m.