Band Member Information

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William Elias, President 

David Muller, Vice President 

Patty Gelineau, Treasurer

Nanette Jordan, Secretary 

Peter Coleman

Mark Goldenberg  

Elizabeth Lockhart

Pam McLaughlin

Ken Pond

Ken Robins

Jim Salvatore

Westport Community Band has established its annual dues at $85.

We rely on dues to cover some of our operating expenses, including stipend to the musical director.  Payment of dues is voluntary though strongly encouraged.  Many members contribute more than $85. Dues may be considered charitable deductions for tax purposes.  Please make your check payable to: 

Westport Community Band, Inc.

You can contact:

Patty Gelineau

3 Spur Rd

Redding, CT 06896
Gelineau.Music@SBCglobal.net

Formal Uniform: All Black

Casual Uniform: Black pants, White polo style WCB logo shirt, 

red belt, black socks and shoes. 

Parade Uniform: Tan pants, red belt, patched short sleeved shirt, pith helmet, white shoes. 

 New Members- Make sure you get your WCB polo shirt for the "casual uniform"   

To order your uniform

WCB Polos $42.50

WCB Red belts $6

Marching shirts get borrowed 

Pith Helmets get borrowed

WCB Jackets get borrowed

You can contact:

Lisa Brodlie

lbrodlie@aol.com

Hail Fellow Band Members,

Just a few things to share with you, some I mentioned at rehearsal last night, and some I did not.  

• First of all, we are still looking for someone to head up our “Sunshine Committee.” Actually it’s just a committee of one, so I guess technically it’s not a committee. We would like to have someone be responsible for making sure that cards or, perhaps, flowers are sent to band members that are experiencing a happy or a trying time. Naturally, you would work closely with Patty Gelineau to make sure that you are properly reimbursed. If you are interested, or know someone that might be interested, please let me know.
• We are also looking for a person that might be able to help with publicity through different medias. This actually could be a committee of a few people if need be. There are a number of Web-sites, and other areas,  that offer free or inexpensive publicity. We need someone who could research those different areas for us and establish a relationship with them so that we can reach a greater audience for our performances. You would also work closely with Patty Gelineau so that you are properly reimbursed. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact me.
• Next, if you still need a polo shirt or red web belt, please let Carrie Parker, (no, she is not related to Peter Parker of Spider Man fame),  know so that they may be ordered. You do not have to pay for them until you receive your shirt and/or belt. You can contact Carrie at the next rehearsal.
• We have two social events looming on the horizon. The first one will hopefully be after our performance at the Mall on the 17th of December. Pam McLaughlin is looking into the venues located in the mall that would receive us for a few drinks and some Christmas cheer. There is no charge for this event, each person is responsible for his or her food and/or drinks. We hope that you will consider attending even if you are not planning to have anything. More information will follow after we have located an appropriate site. 
• The second event is our annual dinner on Monday January 15, 2024. In case you are wondering, Sal will be in attendance. Joanne Crawley is heading up the effort of locating a venue for our dinner. If you know of anyplace that would like to host us at a reasonable price, please let Joanne know, so that she can check it out as soon as possible. We would like to have as many people as possible at the dinner and that you let us know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend. We had a problem last year in that a certain amount of people signed up to attend and then a large number of people showed up at the last minute. Consequently, the restaurant was overwhelmed and the service was lacking because of it. All in all, it is a very pleasant evening and we hope you will consider attending. More information will follow as soon as Joanne is able to locate a suitable location.
• Finally, the Westport Community Band belongs to all of us. We all have an equal share in its success and failures. With that being said, the board wants you to know that solos are not arbitrarily assigned. They are usually selected by either the persons technical ability, as determined by the director, or the person has asked the director to be considered to be selected to perform  a solo with the band, either on their instrument or perhaps even singing. If you are interested in any of these things, please bring it to Sal’s attention. Or, if you prefer, you can contact me or any other board member about your interest.

That’s it for now, have a great day and I’ll see you at our next rehearsal or performance.

Finè,

Bill

BANDSHIRTS

Hail Fellow Band Members,

Just a reminder that we will be resuming rehearsal on Monday October 2nd at Bedford Middle school. Please make sure that you are able to print out the music that Sal has sent out.  If you have any problems, please let Sal know as soon as possible. Lias Brodlie (alto Sax) wanted me to remind you that she and Carrie Parker (oboe) will be taking orders for band shirts and red web belts on the next two Mondays, the 2nd and the 9th. Please put your order in as soon as possible so that they can get the order in, in a timely fashion. You will not have to pay for the shirt or belt until you receive them.  Our uniform for upcoming performances will be: white band polo shirt, black pants with red web belt, black shoes and socks. Also, a reminder that dues are now due as soon as possible. The total is $85 and you can pay in installments if you so choose. At approximately 40 rehearsal per season, that works out to be about $2.12 per rehearsal. Sal's jokes alone are worth that much. Where else could you get so much entertainment for $2.12??? Have a great day and I'll see you on Monday.

Finè,

Bill

 To continue!

Welcome back... again! I want to remind everyone in the ensemble that our rehearsal time is precious and for me to have to ask folks to listen or not talk eats away at that precious commodity! At our opening rehearsal I was astonished at the ability displayed and the level that we were able to absorb information and make music. It is a far cry from the days that we had to wade through any of a number of cobwebs and exhausted embouchures during our first few weeks of rehearsals! Thankfully, those days seem to be behind us... However.. The amount of extraneous talking and incredibly, cell phone use was truly distracting and challenging to those who wanted to make and enjoy the music being introduced. I know, first rehearsals are like that everywhere and expected to a certain degree, which is why I wanted to remind you now that it would be much more rewarding to all in the WCB if we could follow the unwritten requests that we pay attention, respect other member's dedication and attention, and let me lead without having to police anything that is disruptive to our members.

I am so encouraged by our potential this season, and I can't wait to see where our collective musicianship takes us!!

See you on Monday... with conversations to a minimum and cell phones somewhere other than out and active!! You are off the hook as far as the Buffalo Bills are concerned as well..  I may have to change my football allegiance!!

All Best,
Sal

Hello Members of the WCB!!!

I can't wait to begin another season, and from what I've heard that sentiment is pretty widespread!! The purpose of this note is to give you a head's up as to what you will be receiving from me in the coming days, along with a set of instructions that will apply to all of the music that will be coming your way. Most of the music that I will send to you will need to be printed out and placed in a binder, preferably before our first rehearsal on the 11th. 

1.  I will be sending out all of the parts of your section together. Please print out what your particular part is, 1st, 2nd, (3rd) and place them in a 2023-2024 binder. I will have all originals with me at Bedford each week but my preference is to leave those originals in storage and only use them when absolutely necessary. And as far as part assignments are concerned... If anyone would like to review their designated part please don't hesitate to contact me so that I can make potential adjustments. I will try to make these adjustments as they come to my attention and promise to find something that balances out the needs of the ensemble and your wishes.

2.  There will be pieces that we will be preparing this fall that may have been a part of a previous season's repertoire. These pieces will not be sent out again, but if you are new to the ensemble or have lost access to the titles included just let me know and I will send out the part immediately. I will identify the repeat selections when the new parts are sent out this week. 

 3.  I am amazed at the suggestions of titles that were submitted to Bill this summer! To that end I have taken the liberty to include in this fall's repertoire a few of the most often requested. These include: "First Suite in Eb" by Holst, "An American Elegy" by Ticheli, and "Highlights from West Side Story" arr. Dutoit. There are so many more that I could have included and I promise to keep the list that you have suggested active!!4.  Finally, As some of you know I am a visiting professor at Wesleyan University and the musical director of WesWinds, the Student/Community member wind ensemble at Wesleyan. Each year I reach out to any players who may be looking for additional playing opportunities to offer just that chance. Traditionally, community members make up about half of the ensemble and members from the WCB have been a part of WesWinds during the entirety of my appointment there in 2016. If anyone is looking for another chance to be in a wonderful ensemble, WesWinds may just be the ticket! We meet on Tuesday evenings in Middletown (about a 45 minute drive from my home in Fairfield) from 7:10 till 9:10. The music is always fun and rehearsals are never dull! Please feel free to write to me directly if you would like more information..I am so looking forward to getting back together and making music with each and every one of you in a few short weeks! BUT.. a word of warning...  I am fully aware that my Buffalo Bills are playing the Jets that evening in the season opening Monday Night Football game... I will be recording the game and promise that anyone that spills the beans during our rehearsal will be guaranteed some punitive part reassignments... See you on the 11th!!!!Sal 

 Hello All,

Just a quick note to let you know that Jack Stamp's Rifacimento has been selected by KJOS Publications for publication! That means that our commissioned work will be part of the next catalogue of KJOS's wind band music and will be available for any ensemble to purchase! I know that we all had a hand in bringing this piece to life and want to share with all of you the incredible news!!

So, keep practicing and continue to watch your emails for information regarding our return in September!! Until then, have a wonderful remainder of your summer!!

All Best,
Sal