In addition to the City Band’s growing number of invitations to perform at a variety of cultural venues, the Band takes great pride in its Guest Artist series. In April 1989, at the Spotlight On The Arts concert, the Band was honored to have as guest vocalist Dr. William Warfield, internationally known baritone soloist and star of Porgy and Bess and Show Boat . In May 1989, the City Band was also invited, along with the Fairfax Choral Society and the City Band’s Fairfax Swing Band, to open the 1989 Summer Season at Wolf Trap. Vocalist Margie Johnson sang with the Swing Band, which also backed up the well-known area vocal duo, “David and Dorothy”. In May 1991, the Band featured the internationally renowned tubist, Harvey Phillips, in a performance of Helix, written by Warren Benson for Mr. Phillips. In March 1996, Steven Hendrickson, Principal Trumpet with the National Symphony Orchestra, was the City Band’s guest soloist for the Concerto for Trumpet and Symphonic Band by Alexander Arutunian.
With its season-filled programs and Guest Artist series, the City of Fairfax Band has also participated in a number of convention-related performances. In 1989, the City Band was privileged to receive an invitation to perform at the 28th International Geological Congress in July at the Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Approximately 8,000 delegates from around the world were there, with President Bush serving as Honorary Chairman. Over the 1989 Memorial Day weekend, the Band performed at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as part of the holiday celebration, and returned for the summer closing on Labor Day weekend. In October 1989, the Band was invited to perform with the Mormon Choir of Washington at the National Republican Women’s Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, at which Vice-President Quayle was the guest speaker. In July 1990, the City Band gave a dinner concert for the Korean War Veterans Association’s convention at the Sheraton International Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.