When I was returning to music after a 30-year hiatus, hey heretofore the kids and work took up most of my free time, I had lots of community bands and smaller ensembles to consider in the Seattle and surrounding area. Most of the community sites at the time had either no Web presence, or a limited Web page that basicly gave you a phone number or e-mail to contact. I had no idea what the bands played and who they wanted to attract, let alone the audition requirements, if any.

 

So I picked the closest one to my house, the Woodinville band and jazz ensemble. At the time it was directed by a phenominal sax performer and former high school band director, Ray Guyll. When I called the membership phone number, Terri answered.

So I showed up to Leota Jr. High and the jazz ensemble was practing the first of three hours. I pulled out my alto sax and sat in. It was exhillerating. After that hour with the band and Ray, we started the two hour concert band rehearsal. At that time Ray also directed that band. We played songs like ‘Georgia On My Mind’, ‘Blue Ridge Autumn’, and some marches. I loved it.

 

That year we did a very jazzy season finale concert with Greta Matassa and her combo, Eric Kloss saxophonist extraordinaire, and both the concert band and jazz ensemble at the Kirkland Performance Center. I purchased tickets for my extended family and friends. The concert was the best concert band concert I have ever been in and I had a short solo in the beginning of ‘Blue Ridge Autumn’.

 

Later I got to hear a lot of the other local community bands. I have yet to find one that I would enjoy as much as the WCB. One band was for seniors where the youngest fellow was in his seventies. One band only played marches. One band only had guys in it with the youngest being in his fifties. And many of the only play classical or near classical music.

 

The Woodinville band has musicians from Jr. High age to one member in his 80s. There are all levels of accomplishment, but most sections have a music major or two to hold the section down and teach the newbies. We currently have Neil Proff, a young high school band director and sax phenom directing and teaching the jazz ensemble. The concert band director, Leah MacDuffie, former high school band director and current Church choir director, directing and teaching the concert band. This year we had over 10 new players join the bands and the band is around 60 people.