With five concert bands and eight ensembles, we offer opportunities for musicians of every skill level

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.

Tuesday 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.

Tuesday 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.

Thursday 7-9pm 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.

Tuesday 7-9pm Mulberry Recreation Center | Jim Ball (517) 630-6707 

ball@albion.edu

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”!

Friday 7-9pm 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

Monday 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 Allamanda Rec Center on Monday evenings from 6:00 - 8:30pm If you have any questions or wish to book a performance please contact, Linda Quinn.

Monday 6-8:30pm Allamanda Recreation Center | Linda Quinn (908) 304-2357

lindaatlva@gmail.com

The Villages 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,

Tuesday 6-7pm Mulberry Grove Recreation Center | Rocco Russomano 

rjr4band@gmail.com

Wednesday 9:30-11am, New Covenant UMC | Don Brannon (912) 202-2020

regenesis.enterprises@gmail.com

The Villages Jazz Workshop was founded as a place where people can learn about playing various styles of jazz in a jazz ensemble structure. It’s a definite learning experience for all - whether you’ve never played jazz or consider yourself a novice.  The workshop is for those who aren’t necessarily steeped in jazz playing and want to learn more about it in a welcoming environment.  Though the group is primarily a rehearsal band, we also give several performances a year - including kicking off the annual Villages Jazz Festival at Savannah Center. 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 how much jazz experience you may or may not have. Just come and join in the fun!

Wednesday 8:30-10:20am 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.

Thursday 11:15-12:30pm Mulberry Recreation Center | Harl Hoffman (802) 224-6381

rmusiklives@hotmail.com

The Villages Trumpet Enseble 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.

Monday 3:30-5:00pm Coconut Cove | Dr Anita Kupriss (508) 481-2453

akupriss@gmail.com