Community bands in Wilkes Barre, PA area?

[MichaelDenney]

I am considering a transfer to my company's Wilkes Barre site. Google hasn't brought up many playing opportunities for amateurs in that area. Anybody know of community/civic/municipal bands within an hour's drive of there?

[LOTP]

There's something called the Crystal Band in Scranton (a short drive from WB) . I'm pretty sure they have a website.

[greatk82]

There is always the Hazleton Liberty Band, about 25 minutes away. Lord knows they need help:)

[MichaelDenney]

Thanks. It looks like there are at the very least opportunities to keep my tuba and euph chops exercised.

One of the many reasons I would rather not leave the Denton area is the McKinney Community Band--they actually play in tune and musically. Another reason is getting to hear to Brian Bowman and Don Little's students frequently, and for free. And TexMex restaurants. And mild winters. And fairly low taxes. And the reasonable housing cost. And chicken fried steak.

But we'll be fairly close to the NY Phil, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Dillon's, the Army Band conference, Watkins Glen, the Hershey and Carlisle antique auto swap meets, etc.

[MikeMilnarik]

Hi Michael,

I'm in the Boston, MA area, but I grew up not too far from Wilkes-Barre, and my folks are still down that way. For a little while in high school I played with a band at the Luzerne County Community College in Naticoke, PA. About 15-20 minutes away. If I remember correctly (and that was a little while back) they weren't affiliated with the college, but rehearsed there and called it the LCCC Community Band - or something like that. Sorry I don't have any more information about that group.

Marywood University used to have a summer wind ensemble. Also, Cheryl Boga (director of music) at the University of Scranton had an occasional need for a tuba player in her concert band. None of the students were music majors - but very active in music there. There were community members that filled in the blanks. Both of those are about 20-30 minutes away from Wilkes-Barre. If you contact her, please tell her I said HELLO!

Also, if you need any repair work done there's a GREAT guy in West Pittston, PA (again within 30 minutes) named Jerry Haynes. Jerry used to work at Giardinelli in NYC way back. He works out of his basement. (570)654-2502.

By the way, the winters are even colder in Boston, and it gets worse up in Maine! I miss that area for this reason! Just to make you feel a little better about Wilkes-Barre.

Good Luck!

Mike Milnarik

[Tuba-G Bass]

Hi Michael,

Well, I can't speak to the Wilkes-Barre area,
but just down the northeast extention of the PA Turnpike,
is the Lehigh Valley which I am very familar with,
Allentown, PA has four union [AFM] bands,
the premier one is the Allentown Band, which is invitation only
plus pass a audition and practice with them before hitting the stage,
unless you are someone like Frank Kaderabek,
ex 1st chair Philly Orchestra, and former Chicago Symphony,
he is one of the featured soloists.
The conductor, Ron Demkee is a Tuba player by the way.
John Philip Sousa recruited a fair amount of players from the Allentown Band,
and they came back bringing that great experience with them, it's all on the webpage below.

The Marine Band of Allentown is pretty good,
as is the Municipal Band of Allentown and
the Pioneer Band of Allentown.

All four bands have a concert broadcast during the summer on RCN TV, which I work for.
Over in Bethlehem is the non-union Municipal Band of Bethlehem, of which I am a member
and hey, we could use another Tuba player Wink!
we play about 11 summer and two christmas concerts.
You can be a AFM member and play with us, BTW.
and also in Bethlehem is the [AFM] Bethlehem Legion band.

The Macungie band and the Easton Band are pretty good also, some people play in several of the local bands.
And over in Reading is the New Ringgold band, which Sousa guest conducted the day before he died.
see all the links!
Allentown
www.allentownband.com
www.allentownmarinebandinc.com
www.municipalband.org
www.pioneerband.com

Bethlehem
www.cityband.org
www.bethlehem-pa.gov/parks/services/AmLegionSched.pdf

Easton
www.eastonband.org

Macungie
http://www.macungieband.com/

Reading
www.ringgoldband.com

Drop me a PM to ask any questions.

[MichaelDenney]

Thank you wchoc, Mike and Tuba G for the scoop on things.

My wife and I spent a few days in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area last week to see if we want to make the move, and we have decided to relocate there.

It looks like I have several choices of bands depending on how much time I have for private practicing and for rehearsals/performances.

A tuba-hauling car will be needed. I normally transport my big Holton 345 in a Miata, but the top has to be down. The horn rests on its bell on the passenger seat and the bottom bow sticks up about 8 or 10" above the windshield header. This won't be practical in a wetter and colder climate, of course, so I may have to get a Swedish brick Volvo or a Subaru.

[Tuba-G Bass]

Hi Michael,

Well congrats on the decision to move to the
Keystone state! I have a 4 door ford explorer for my
tuba hauler, at one time I hauled my sousaphone, Conn 24-J and
my miraphone contrabass trombone, and still had room to spare,
including room for one passenger in the shotgun seat,
and having 4 wheel drive in the northeast is to your
advantage.
Fire off a PM if you have any questions, Think of me as the
Tuba Welcome wagon.