Sunday, June 1, 2008               OPEN TO THE PUBLIC            2:00 PM at Eastridge High School

These bands each have their own programs and concerts. The thread joining the bands together is their interest in music—continuing to play and perform for others. Many members began playing in grade school and continued through high School and college. Choosing another field for life’s work may have derailed the music temporarily. At a time of life when one has more time for choices, music springs to life in our lives, once again. Some continued right straight through, never stopping. Nevertheless, the community band scene has united us for good times, companionship, and finding joy doing something we all love.

Come witness how music has become a PASSION . We thank all of the school music teachers for making this possible. It is because of the music teachers that the Community Band programs are possible. It is alive and well. Come see for yourselves. 

ABOUT THE BANDS:

PENFIELD POPS is directed by Dick Stacy. The band has been in existence about 11 years and has had two previous conductors. Membership has risen to over 50 players these past three years under the current conductor. Many of these members are outstanding soloists. The band meets once a week—September through June. They perform in the community about once a month. Mr. Stacy was a band director/music teacher for 12 years in Ohio. He then spent the next 25 years as a high school principal in West Irondequoit. Now he is back to music—playing and conducting. In addition to the Penfield Pops, he leads the Rotary Big Jazz Band that plays once a month at the Penfield Community Center for people to dance to the big band sound. 

HONEOYE FALLS COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND is directed by Lindsey Borden. This band is celebrating its 20th year –always with Ms. Borden as the conductor. Lindsey Borden taught in public school for 9 years, and, after time out for family, is back teaching music once again—this time ½ time in Greece, NY. Honeoye Falls Band rehearses once a week for 11 months—with the month of August off. There are about 55 active members. The band has participated in the Lake George Band Festival the past three years and loved it. This year they were selected to play in the Annual Concert Band Convention in Corning, NY in April. 

IRONDEQUOIT CONCERT BAND led by Conductor/Composer Mr. J. Russell Thomas. Mr. Thomas retired as a music teacher from East Irondequoit. This band is nearly 35 years old and began with a small group of about 30 musicians in 1974. Since then the size has almost doubled. They rehearse once a week, perform two major indoor concerts and have a full summer schedule of outdoor concerts. The band has taken three major out of state trips and given a number of concerts in outlying areas. The band has taken trips to a Southern Tier winery for Grape Festival Concerts. This fall, a September concert trip to Skaneateles is planned.