Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
One thing about learning to play a musical instrument is that the skill is utilized for a lifetime.
The Lakeland Area Community Band provides a forum for just about any musician to perform on a regular basis.
Currently under the direction of Martin Becker, Grace College director of bands and former Warsaw Community High School music department head, the 16-year-old organization has about 40 members.
"We're really open to getting more members," Becker said, "especially more percussion and woodwind players."
Practices are each Monday in Wawasee High School. This is Becker's first year as director. He replaces Mike Clark.
This year, from June 13 through Nov. 16, the group has eight concerts scheduled.
"Music is a big part of many people's lives," Becker said of the 15-year-old to 70-plus-year-olds in LACB. "It's also a nice social outlet."
Because it's a community group, the members have some say in the music selections. Becker, a noted trumpet player, admits his partiality to pieces featuring the brass section.
The number of community bands is picking up across the United States, Becker said.
"It's for people who played at one time and want to come back. Our attitude is, play as much as you can. If the piece is too hard, wait until you can play."
High school graduates are asked to audition.
The band's next appearance is at Lakeside Park in Syracuse on the Fourth of July. The concert begins at dusk with fireworks to follow.
The program features several John Phillips Sousa marches, "El Capitan," "King Cotton" and the "Stars and Stripes Forever"; a medley of George M. Cohen's music; "Hymn to the Fallen," the theme song from "Saving Private Ryan;" "Bill Bailey Won't You Please Come Home"; and some Duke Ellington swing music.
Syracuse composer and arranger Dale Mock, a charter band member, will present "A Salute to Indiana," a medley of seven Indiana tunes: "My Indiana," "Indiana," "Our Indiana," "On The Banks Of the Wabash Far Away," "In A Little Red Barn," "Back Home Again In Indiana" and "I Love Indiana."
"I Love Indiana" is an original Mock composition.
"This medley is a nostalgic remembrance of the unique tranquility and warmth of scenes we hold in the wonderful state of 'Hoosierland,'" Becker said. "It will be one of many highlights in the evening's program."
The band also will play the Leo Delibes composition "March and Procession of Bacchus" from the ballet "Sylvia." Some additional popular marches will be the exciting circus march, "The Billboard," and a popular military march written by Harold Bennett, "Military Escort."
The concert will conclude with the great Irving Berlin favorite "God Bless America," arranged for the LACB by Becker.
Other concerts include:
July 18, at 7 p.m. Warsaw's Central Park; Aug. 7 at 7 p.m., Pringle Park in Goshen; Greencroft Senior Center, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
Band members include:
Director Martin Becker, Leesburg; assistant director Phil Eherenman, Warsaw;
Flutes - Judy Becker, Leesburg; Rita Dodds and Rosalyn Jones, both of Syracuse; Dee Meerzo, Warsaw; and Lisa Wilson.
Oboe - Misty Hathaway, Pierceton.
Clarinets - Terre Holada, Warsaw; Joyce Pankratz, Michele Murto and Sue Taylor, all of Goshen.
Bass clarinet - Bill Trame of Syracuse;
Alto saxophones - David Betz and Al Meerzo, both of Warsaw; Ron Klawitter, Syracuse; and Aimeda Zumbrun, Larwill.
Tenor saxophones - Tara Betz, Warsaw; and Nancy Williams, Goshen.
Trumpets - Fred Clemens and Paul Gardner, Milford; Neil Holbrook and Bob Taylor, both of Goshen; Phil McCune, Carl Simon and Dale Mock, all of Syracuse; Phil Strieby, Milford; Janet Miller and Carroll Chambers, both of Leesburg.
French horns - Dan McCune, Syracuse; Josh Meyers, Warsaw; and Catherine Rader and Trent Taylor, Goshen.
Trombones - Clint Butcher, Leesburg; Phil Eherenman and Mal Landis, both of Warsaw; Steve McCune and Lorne McCune, both of Syracuse, Bernie Wilson, Warsaw.
Euphoniums - Bob Holada, Warsaw, and Gary McDaniel, Mentone.
Tubas - Russ Coon, Goshen; Ray Maierle and Dave McCune, both of Syracuse; and Percussion - Don Klawitter, Syracuse; Dave Keeven, Warsaw; Corlynn Shortz, Syracuse.
