Contributed by Jack Kopstein

The Ottawa Wind Ensemble

Altissimo salutes our feature community band which is situated in the Canadian capital of Ottawa and performs numerous engagements in the capital region.

The Ottawa Wind Ensemble (OWE) was formed in 2005, drawing together current and former Canadian Forces musicians, music teachers, and other professional musicians, in a professional calibre group.

Under the direction of founding conductor, Mark Rocheleau, this 35 member ensemble performs the symphonic wind ensemble repertoire made famous by the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the rich concert band repertoire from North America and Europe, and the orchestral transcriptions of the famous composers. While the OWE is technically a community band, most of the members are fully involved in a life of music, whether it be as freelance musicians, music educators, or full time professionals. The raison d’être of the OWE is to perform at the highest calibre of musicianship possible, and anyone who attends a concert will appreciate this for themselves.

The ensemble’s conductor is Mark Rocheleau. Born and raised in Amherstburg, Ontario, (near the border city of Windsor Ontario), Rocheleau began his formal studies in 1979 at the University of Windsor, majoring on clarinet, and graduating with a Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Education. His private clarinet teachers were Dr. Imre Rozsnyai of the University of Windsor and Paul Schaller of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. After four seasons with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra, he acquired a direct entry into the Canadian Forces Vimy Band in Kingston in 1985, where he broadened his musical experience playing both clarinet and saxophone. In August of 1994, he was posted to the Central Band of the Canadian Forces here in Ottawa and was eventually selected for a yearlong assistant conductor’s course, which he completed in 1999. In October of 2005, Mark had completed 20 years of service with the Canadian Forces and elected to retire. His project since then has been to form The Ottawa Wind Ensemble, which was founded in September of 2005.

Mark Rocheleau is joined in the Ottawa Wind Ensemble by several former professional military musicians who reside in retirement in Ottawa and environs. Several of the musicians have outstanding backgrounds in the music field.

Our hats off to the OTTAWA WIND ENSEMBLE, the Community Band Spotlight for March.

For more information on the Ottawa Wind Ensemble, please visit their website.

Please write to me if you would like your community band to be featured. The line is growing fast so GET ON THE BANDWAGON!

**If you are in a band or know of a band we should feature in our Spotlight,  please contact Jack at jack@militarymusic.com or Krista at krista@militarymusic.com

ALTISSIMO! RECORDINGS
FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER 2010
Krista Slinkard, Altissimo! Staff

MINNEAPOLIS POLICE BAND

In Minneapolis, MN, the winter snow may be falling, the temperatures might be dropping, and the wind might hit you in the face, but the Minneapolis Police Band will play on. This was the case this past December when the band performed in the Holidazzle Parades in Minnesota in bone-chilling 16 degree weather. Now that’s dedication! This group of musicians enjoys playing no matter what the situation may be. Comprised of both civilians and officers, both active and retired, the band strives to make music fun for all, including themselves.

Founded in 1917, the band’s first official performance was for an Armistice Day parade in November of 1918. These musicians typically march in 4 or 5 parades per year in addition to other concert performances. There are approximately 28 members in the marching band, 17 in the swing band, and 35 in the concert band, with an age range of 18-88. In this group, there are several military veterans, including two who specifically played in the US Army band during their service to their country.

The music is generally selected by the director, but the band is always open to public suggestions for expanding their library. Two recent directors mastered the art of selecting music. Retiring at the end of 2007, Officer Robert Falk ended his 40-year service as director of the band, which began in 1967. Mr. Falk was a respected member and leader of the band and in the community. Upon his retirement, Bob Dynan stepped out of his Assistant Director role and into the shoes of the Director.

The band tries to make their concerts very audience friendly, and even have a vocalist to accompany them on certain songs and also be the Master of Ceremonies or drum major, depending on what role he needs to fill that day. The talented band has a wide repertoire of tunes to choose from to play. Favorites include “Them Basses,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “American Patrol,” and “in the Christmas Mood,” a favorite for December concerts and parades.

In addition to playing locally, they have worked with elementary schools to promote the continued study of music and music education, and they have also traveled across the US and Canada. In 2006, the Minneapolis Police Band had the honor of being inducted into the Minneapolis State Music Hall of Fame.

At the end of a day’s practice, the Minneapolis Police Band members either go home or go back to protecting those they serve. Just another day in the life, but all the more worthwhile when there’s music to be made, and for that Altissimo! salutes this band in the Community Band Spotlight.

For more information on the Minneapolis Police Band, visit their website.

Special Thanks to Patty Bjork for being an excellent interviewee!

If you know of a band that we should highlight, please let us know! Email Krista at krista@militarymusic.com

CHESAPEAKE BAY WIND ENSEMBLE
Written by Ryley Erhardt
Edited by Krista Slinkard

Welcome to the Altissimo! Community Band Spotlight for December. Each month we look at community bands across the nation, and this month we’re pleased to present the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble.

The Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble is a non-profit band, which performs for communities in and around the Hampton Roads area (Williamsburg, Hampton, and Newport News).  Formed by Robert Arledge and the late Jim Paschall in 1998, it now consists of around forty members.  Impressively, nine of its current members are either active duty military or veterans of the Armed Services, including the Music Director who has over twenty-seven years of service.

As a non-profit, the Ensemble tries to give more than just music to its community.  Since its founding, the band has given over five thousand dollars in scholarships to promising youth in musical fields, permitting them to further their education.

Beyond this, the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble specifically encourages high school students to join.  This gives these students professional musical experience that is difficult to acquire from school training alone.  With its youngest member having only witnessed fifteen new years, while the oldest is hinging on ninety, this creates a fascinating diversity within, which allows the older members to mentor the younger, preparing the next generation of Virginian musicians to perform at a high caliber.

The band’s current conductor, Tom Altringer has a fascinatingly eclectic musical history.  Commissioned as a Warrant Officer/Bandmaster in 1978, he spent the next twenty-three years traveling and conducting in such places as Brooklyn, Washington, New Jersey, and even Germany.  Perhaps his most interesting assignment was to the 6th Infantry Division Band in Anchorage, Alaska.  Besides worrying about musical perfection, Mr. Altringer had to address the issue of instruments not freezing up while performing.  After overcoming this unique adversity, conducting concerts in the milder weather conditions of Virginia must be a relief.

The fascinating variety represented within the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble has allowed it to touch all ages within the Virginia Peninsula, while permitting the younger members to learn from the extensive professional experience of the older members.

Because of this professionalism and dedication to improving the youth of the community, we proudly present The Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble as our Community Band Spotlight for November. 

If you would like more information about the Chesapeake Bay Wind Ensemble, please visit their website at www.cbwe.org.

**Special thanks to Karen Kittell, President of the CBWE, for her help in making this article
***If you know of a community band you’d like to see featured, please send an email to krista@militarymusic.com

ALTISSIMO RECORDINGS SALUTES
THE ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND
ROSEVILLE, MINNESOTA

JACK KOPSTEIN

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Welcome to the Altissimo! Recordings Community Band Spotlight. We try to find a band deserving of some attention for their great community effort each month. This month, Jack Kopstein brought the Roseville Community band from Minnesota to our attention. Here’s what he had to say about them:

The ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND, from Roseville, Minnesota, began as the Roseville Municipal Band. Founded by Mark Lammers, the first organizational meeting was held on March 10, 1964. In 1970 Lammers accepted a postition at Gustavus Adolphus College and was replaced by Roger Sorenson who directed the band for one year.

The directors changed hands as follows: Tom Haugen directed from 1971 – 1973, followed by Dave Magnuson, 1972 – 1974, Dick Miller from 1974 – 1975, and Dave Magnuson again from 1975 – 76. In 1976 Bob Lancette became the next director and remained until 1987. Sam Marks replaced Lancette and directed the band from 1987 until 1995, playing in the French Horn section from 1978 until becoming the director. Kay Foster served as interim director from September to January 1996. Rob McWilliams directed the band from January 1996 until July 1996. Patricia DeBenedetto served as director from that time until January of 1999. Sam Marks served, once again, as the interim director during April and May of 1999. Denny Schackel was director from then until July 2000, with Kay Foster picking up as interim again for fall 2000.

Daniel Kuch is the current director and has been since February 2001.

In 1978 the band was invited to participate in the INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL in Dublin, Ireland (the first adult community band to be invited to this event from the United States). A decade later the band geared up for another round of fundraising activities, and in July of 1992,  they played a series of concerts in Lucerne, Switzerland and Salzberg, Austria.

The ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND has established itself as one of the top community bands in the upper Midwest. It is a true community band in that no auditions are required and membership is open to any adult musician. The purpose of the band is to provide the opportunity for the adult musician to play for personal satisfaction and provide a service for the community. Since 1980, at the annual spring concert, the band has awarded scholarships to area school musicians for the purpose of furthering their musical endeavours. The band observed its 30th anniversary by commissioning a composition. Internationally known composer, musician, and educator *Dr. Frank Bencriscutto composed “SUMMER IN CENTRAL PARK” for the band. The late “Dr. Ben”, a Roseville resident, conducted the work at the 30th anniversary concert in 1994.

Our hats are off to one of America’s finest community bands that maintain the wonderful tradition of hometown bands in the great State of Minnesota.

For more information about the Roseville Community Band, visit their website here.

The band is sponsored by the CITY OF ROSEVILLE PARKS and RECREATION DEPARTMENT

*Dr. Frank Peter Anthony Bencriscutto(1928-1997) was known as a conductor, educator, and composer. A longtime Director of Bands at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Bencriscutto and the band toured the USSR for seven weeks in 1969, with a final performance at the White House. An avid jazz musician, performing on saxophone and clarinet, he is also credited with introducing jazz into the music curriculum at the University of Minnesota. After retiring in 1993, Dr. Bencriscutto soon joined the faculty at the Musashino Academia Musicae in Tokyo, Japan as a visiting professor and conductor of the wind ensemble until 1996. He was posthumously awarded the 1997 Medal of Honor by the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. The collection consists of programs, articles, compositions, and recordings related to Bencriscutto’s career.

**If you know of a community band you’d like to see featured here, please let us know! Email krista@militarymusic.com

Welcome to the Altissimo! Community Band Spotlight for June. Each month we look at community bands across the nation, and this month we’re pleased to present a band from right here at home in Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Winds from Murfreesboro, TN. Our very own Assistant Director of Licensing, Stacy, plays the oboe in the band, and it was at her suggestion that we decided to check out the Valley Winds.

photo courtesy of Schenk Photography

The Tennessee Valley Winds is a non-profit, all volunteer community band founded in 1984 by Joseph T. Smith and also led by Smith until 2000. The band averages 60-65 performers in concert, but the roster numbers close to 100 members. Of the 61 members performing in a recent concert, 10 members represent the various military branches, 3 of whom played in the bands, and 1 who still does play.

The age range has started as young as 16, but currently ranges from 19 to 79 years of age. These musicians are from high schools, colleges, all types of professions and the retired, people who love to play and may not have any outlet to participate in live music. Playing with the TVW is a great way to connect with musicians from all walks of life and from the earliest of talent to the most seasoned performer. Several smaller bands have been started out of the TVW roster, including a clarinet ensemble and a brass quintet, and these bands perform their own concerts and also concerts for the community in local ceremonies as well as locales like nursing homes.

The band has been fortunate to play a performance in London, England, and also to receive invitations to participate in several events and conferences, including the 2009 American School Band Director’s Association convention. The music the TVW plays is as diverse as any other band, but something interesting they do for Wind Band conferences is to bring in a guest conductor and perform his compositions or music of the conductor’s choosing. The overall goal of the Tennessee Valley Winds is simply to entertain and engage the audience through music; by choosing music from Broadway to Sousa as well as pieces that challenge them, they easily achieve this goal.

Being a good steward of the community is something else the TVW look to do. It is only with the help of the community that the TVW can exist, with local schools and churches opening their doors as rehearsal sites and concert venues. Several band directors and teachers perform with the band, and they learn and take ideas back to use in their own school bands. Middle Tennessee State University hosts a Wind Band Conference where the TVW perform and show that band is still cool and not just for those young enough to be enrolled in secondary school.

Keeping the band cool is director Terry Jolley. Exposed to music at a young age by his musically inclined parents, Jolley naturally fell into the path of music. He performed in school bands throughout his youth before going on to MTSU for music education. He has been the recipient of multiple awards, including four citations of excellence by the National Band Association, four-time induction into Who’s Who Among American Teachers, and also served as Director of the Governor’s School for the Arts. In addition to these honors, he also serves on the board for the Music City Youth in Performing Arts.

Because of their commitment to excellence in music and their efforts to keep music alive and spread it throughout their community, we are proud to present the Tennessee Valley Winds as our Community Band Spotlight for June. If you would like more information about the Tennessee Valley Winds, please visit their website www.tnvalleywinds.org

*Special thanks to Vicky Williams, TVW Publicity Director, for being a great correspondent and to the Tennessee Valley Winds for being a part of our Spotlight!

**If you know of any community bands we could feature in our Spotlight, please email Krista at krista@militarymusic.com with the subject line “CBS Suggestion”

ASHEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND

Each month Altissimo! searches across the country for a community band that has something special about it, whether it be something they’re doing in the community or just an outstanding achievement for the band.

The Asheville Community Band of Asheville, NC, was started in 1979 under the umbrella of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. The band’s stated mission was to encourage interest in music and to broaden appreciation of the various musical styles and sounds unique to a concert band. Now, after thirty years of continuous performances with a roster of 102 members, the band has over 90 volunteer musicians at every concert. Members range in age from a few very talented high school age students to active retirees in their eighties including six charter members!

In addition to four local performances each season, the band has traveled as far as Hawaii, Germany, and Austria for concert tours. The Asheville Community Band has performed at national conventions for band directors and twice for the North Carolina Bandmasters Association’s state convention. Upcoming performances include a free (and popular!) Memorial Day tribute, honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. This concert also features the city’s high school JROTC, who present the colors and assist guests with parking.

Several of the band members were involved in the various military branches and about 10 of them played in the bands at their bases.  One is currently in the USMC music program in the school of music at Cherry Point, NC. Another joined the Navy in 1945 at just 16 years of age and played until he was reassigned to an aircraft carrier. Two were members of the US Army Bands during their service, the 316th during the Korean War, and the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii in the 1960s.

The Asheville Community Band enjoys playing a variety of music together. Their conductor, currently Michael L. Robinson (see below), selects the music with suggestions from his band. The repertoire includes hymns, marches, show tunes, band standards, and new music that is fun for everyone! Under his leadership, the band created a scholarship program to encourage and aide students who are pursuing degrees in instrumental music education. Over twenty $1,000 scholarships have been awarded since 1996 to deserving students, the funding of which comes solely through ticket sales and donations.

ACB Scholarship Recipients

Mr. Robinson, the band’s director since 1996, recently completed a 30-year career as a high school band director and is currently the Director of Bands at Mars Hill College.  He continues serving as a church music director, a position he has held for 22-years.  After reading his bio, it’s obvious that music runs in his veins!  Mr. Robinson has been honored with many awards throughout his career. In addition to merit honors, citations of excellence, and involvement with professional music organizations, he has also been President of the North Carolina Band Directors Assoc. and was inducted into their Hall of Fame.

The band’s founder and first director, Patricia L. Garren, is also a multiple award-winning conductor. Now Director Emeritus, Mrs. Garren’s honors include being the first woman elected as President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. She received the Women Band Directors International Golden Rose Award and most recently received their highest honor; induction into their Hall of Fame.  Each year, one of the band’s scholarships is presented in her name.

Led by two upstanding directors over its 30-year span, the Asheville Community Band has a rich heritage of excellence. It carries on this tradition by giving eligible students a helping hand via the scholarship program and by giving young and old musicians alike an opportunity to participate in and keep the arts alive in their community. For the quality of their efforts, we proudly present them as the Community Band Spotlight for May 2009.

If you’d like to listen to the Asheville Community Band or find further information, please visit their website.

*Special thanks to the Asheville Community Band and Stephanie Lyon for taking the time to help us write this Spotlight and for supplying photos!

*If there is a band you would like to see featured in the Community Band Spotlight, please email Krista at krista@militarymusic.com with the subject “Spotlight Suggestion”