Founded in April 2002 The Villages Concert Band offers its members a wide variety of Instrumental music to perform for all Villagers to enjoy. All members are residents of The Villages with varied backgrounds with one commonality - instrumental music making in their retirement years. The Villages Concert Band is a member of New Horizons International, the Association of Concert Bands and The Bands of The Villages and supports senior citizens’ involvement in instrumental music programs.
Tues, 7-9pm, Mulberry Recreation Center
Dr Gordon Mason 407-325-5193
gordon@yourhousesolution.com
The Villages Hometown Band is comprised of Villages residents with a variety of musical backgrounds, from professional to those who have picked up their instruments after an extended hiatus. The band currently has 97 members and performs concert band music from Broadway, Hollywood, marches and pop classics. The Hometown Band performs at the Savannah Center, throughout The Villages and beyond. The band rehearses Tuesdays from 4-6pm at Mulberry Recreation Center in The Villages, from mid-August through April.
Tues, 4-6pm, Mulberry Recreation Center
Hugh Wicks 352-431-8004
hwicks627@gmail.com
Founded in November 2005 The Villages New Horizons Band offers its members a wide variety of music to perform for all listeners to enjoy. All members are Village residents and come from varied backgrounds with one commonality, instrumental music making in their retirement years. The Villages New Horizons Band continues to support the philosophy of the international program of The New Horizons International Music Association which encourages and supports senior citizens involvement in instrumental music programs. NHB membership includes the Association of Concert Bands and the Bands Of The Villages. The NHB supports various area groups and organizations through their donations derived from proceeds from our concerts.
Thurs, 9-11am, Mulberry Recreation Center
John Stranges 607-329-3487
j63stranges@gmail.com
The Villages Swing Band was founded in April 2002 and offers its members the opportunity to play a variety of music while focussing on the music of the Swing Era. The group not only thoroughly enjoys rehearsing together every week, sharing a love for “all things swing,” it also presents public concerts, dances, and other events. The Swing Band falls under the umbrella of The Bands of The Villages.
Thurs, 2-4pm, Mulberry Recreation Center
Lewis Buckley 860-705-3858
lew@lewbuckley.com
What do you call a group of some forty former band directors, professional musicians, and a few dedicated amateurs with over 2000 years of experience? Simple –The Villages Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a group dedicated to performing at the highest level of achievement we can reach while challenging ourselves to continually improve. We play a wide range of musical genres from “high-brow” to “toe-tapping” in a variety of keys and time signatures rated from moderate to the most difficult.
Behind the name: From an article about the conception of the Eastman Wind
Ensemble. In 1952, the idea for a new, smaller type of symphonic band occurred to Frederick Fennell: scaling the typical concert band down to the size of the wind section of a symphony orchestra, allowing for greater clarity and better intonation. He recruited nearly 40 players for this in May 1952, explaining, “I chose the best students in the school, the best solo performers, and the best ensemble players.” That is what this group strives to be – “The Best”!
Fri, 1-3pm, Mulberry Recreation Center
Lewis Buckley 860-705-3858
lew@lewbuckley.com
The Villages Brass is a group comprised of a traditional brass setting including 4 trumpets, 4 french horns, 2 tenor trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 euphonium, 1 tuba and percussion as needed. There will also be 2 conductors. This group will perform in concert venues in addition to other possibilitIes such as church gatherings and special events. If you are interested in booking a performance, please contact us. Members must have a high level of proficiency in their instrument.Please contact Margie or Debra if you are interested in joining
The Villages Brass.
Margie Craver 302-388-5143 mcraver3@gmail.com
Debra Finlayson 201-615-4232 dfinlaysonjack@yahoo.com
The Villages Clarinet Connexion is made up of Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinets which perform regularly around The Villages at various venues such as Club Meeting, Community Events, Church Performances, and other Special Events throughout the area. Membership is open to all Villages Residents with prior experience in playing and performing Bb Clarinets and Bass Clarinets.
To book a performance or further information contact, Paula Vargas
Mon, 5-6:30pm, Laurel Manor Recreation Center
Paula Vargas 508-277-8329
paulajr@aol.com
The Villages Flute Choir is made up of C Flutes, Alto Flutes, Bass Flutes and Piccolo. This is an auditioned group with flautists at a high level of musicianship. Rehearsals are held at the Allamande Rec Center on Monday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30pm If you have any questions or wish to book a performance please contact, Linda Quinn.
Mon, 6-8pm, Allamande Recreation Center
Linda Quinn 908-304-2357
lindaativa@gmail.com
The Flute Fanatics group is made up of C Flutes, Alto Flutes, Bass Flutes
and Piccolo. The group performs at Senior Living facilities, parties and
Churches. All Village resident flautists are welcome to join. This a fun
group where you can enjoy playing and work on your performance skills.
Rehearsals are held at the Mulberry Recreation Center on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm. If you have any questions or wish to book a performance
please contact, Linda Quinn.
Tues, 6-7pm, Mulberry Grove
Linda Quinn 908-304-2357
lindaativa@gmail.com
The Villages Jazz Workshop was founded as just that, a workshop, where people can learn about playing various styles of jazz. It’s a definite learning experience for all.Even if you’ve never played jazz or consider yourself a novice – all are welcome! I’d a place for people who aren’t necessarily steeped in jazz playing and want to learn more about it. Accordingly, the group is primarily a rehearsal band, though we also give a performance or two during the year. Importantly, all are welcome. Except for the rhythm section, we do not constrain the instrumentation to the standard eight brass and five woodwind player configuration, so our size varies somewhat from week to week. While we do suggest a reasonable comfort level on your instrument and some degree of sight-reading ability, we don’t care at all how much jazz experience you may or may not have. Just come and join in the fun!
Wed, 8:30-10:30am, Laurel Manor Recreation Center
Margaret Banton 404-229-6273
margbanton@gmail.com
The villages Saxsations is made up of Soprano Sax, Alto Saxes, Tenor Saxes, and Baritone Saxes which perform regularly around The Villages at various venues such as Club Meeting, Community Events, Church Performances, and other Special Events throughout the area. Membership is open to all Villages Residents with prior experience in playing and preforming on Saxophone.
To book a performance or further information contact, Harl Hoffman.
Thurs, 11:15-12:30pm, Mulberry Recreation Center
Harl Hoffman 802-224-6381
musiklives@hotmail.com
The trumpet ensemble is comprised of intermediate to advanced players. The group rehearses literature written for trumpet groups. Rehearsals are aimed at having fun and enjoying each others company. Great way to challenge your reading abilities, your ears and your chops. We strive to encourage and nurture every member.
Mon, 3:30-5:00pm, Coconut Cove
Dr Anita Kupriss 508-481-2453
akupriss@gmail.com
CURRENTLY INACTIVE
The Villages “Sunshine Strollers” is a fun-time Instrumental organization known for its colorful attire and clownish antics. The band plays a variety of music with lots of “sing along” selections which are popular and guaranteed to get audiences on their feet. Typical venues include performances for community events, club meetings, birthdays, and similar festive occasions.