The Ringgold Band of Reading, PA Ringgold Band News · Flight of the Bumble Bee type piece not on...

Ringgold Band News, Spring, 2005

VIVA MUSICA!!By Jim Seidel, Musical Director

Music lives! Over thecourse of time therehave been many compo-

sitions written as testimonials tothe joy of making music andcertainly to the joy of hearingmusic. The 153rd Anniversary Con-cert of the Ringgold Band willopen with Alfred Reed’s com-position Viva Musica. Thiswork was commissioned byVanderCook college of Music inChicago and was “dedicated toall who strive for excellence inthe noble field of music educa-tion.” In the words of AlfredReed , this work is “an attemptto express the joy of the musicalcommunion between teachersand students.” We hope youenjoy the excitement this com-position shares between ourmembers and you, our faithfulfollowing of avid band lovers.

The ex-citement doesnot end there.Our guest so-loist, ChrisWeait, will beplaying aFlight of theBumble Beetype piece not ontrumpet, but on bassoon! Chrisclaims this is one BIG bumblebee. As a tribute to John PhilipSousa we will bring to youSousa’s own version of El Capi-tan Selections, which includeshis finest melodies he incorpo-rated with in his opera of thesame name. Frederick Fennell passedaway this past December andleft a legacy of a dedicatedbandsman to the world. Thosewho knew or heard of Fennellimmediately thought of bandmusic. The band will pay trib-ute to Mr. Fennell not only with

Sousa marches, which weresome of his favorites, but with awork by his predecessor at theEastman School of Music, How-ard Hanson. Hanson’s powerfulband composition Chorale andAlleluia was one of Fennell’sfavorite compositions to conductand to hear. We hope you sharehis joy of this work as we play itto honor his memory. No Ringgold Band concertwould be complete without apresentation of the vocal talentsof Debbie Greenawald. Onceagain the talented hand of assis-tant conductor Tom Shade hasbeen hard at work to create aTribute to Peggy Lee. Let’s seehow many of these immortaltunes you recognize. And, asalways, the band will concludewith our National March, TheStars and Stripes Forever. Thisyear think of this as a tribute tothe men and women of ourArmed Forces dedicated to pre-serve our freedom.

SoloistChristopher Weait

Christopher Weait hasbeen professor of bas-soon at The Ohio State

University since 1984. In 1968he was selected by MaestroSeiji Ozawa as principal bas-soonist of Canada's TorontoSymphony. He served for sev-enteen years under directorsOzawa, Karel Ancerl and SirAndrew Davis. Prior to that heplayed in the Chamber Sym-phony of Philadelphia and theUSMA Band at West Point.He has appeared as soloist ontour with the Toronto Sympho-ny, the Chamber Symphony ofPhiladelphia, and with KeithBrion and His New SousaBand.

He has beena guest bassoon-ist in the Cleve-land Orchestra,the Grant ParkSymphony, theMontréal Sym-phony, and hasbeen ActingPrincipal Bas-soonist of theColumbus Symphony Orches-tra. His solo and chamber re-cordings are on the CBC,Crystal, d'Note, Innova andLyrichord labels. At Ohio State he teachesbassoon and graduate courses,advises graduate students,coaches chamber music andperforms in recitals. He hasbeen a visiting professor at theEastman School of Music andthe Indiana University School

of Music. He has taught atthe University of Toronto,the Festival Internacional deBuenos Aires in Argentinaand for the National YouthOrchestra of Chile. In 1999,students at the Ohio StateSchool of Music voted him"Distinguished Teacher ofthe Year". Chris has had a life-long

interest in band music, espe-cially the repertoire of the 18th

and 19th centuries. He has ed-ited a number of publishedworks for winds and was act-ing director of the Ohio StateConcert Band in 1994-95. Hehas conducted the Universityof Toronto Concert Band, andguest conducted wind groupsin Montreal, Canada andFrankfort, Germany.

www.ringgoldband.com

The Ringgold Band of Reading, PA

Ringgold Band NewsSpring, 2005

Christopher Weait

James S. Seidel

Ringgold Band153rd AnniversarySpring Concert

Sunday, April 10, 20053:00 p.m.

Scottish Rite CathedralWest Reading, PA$10 per person

Tickets are available at Reading-area Boscov’s Department Storescourtesy desks, from bandmem-bers, or use the order form in thisnewsletter.

ContentsPage 1

153rd AnniversarySpring Concert

Soloist, Chris Weait

Page 2Conductor FrederickFennell Dies at age 90

Page 3CD Review: FennellConducts Sousa

Heard Around the BandHall

A Reed By Many OtherNames

Page 4-5Member Spotlight!Director James S. Seidel

Page 6Ringgold BandmembersWork for Mayor

Happennings From theYear 1905

Page 72005 Concert Schedule

InsertSpring Concert TicketOrder Form


CONDUCTORFREDERICK FENNELLDIES AT AGE 90by Maria C. Reichenbach,Ringgold Band Historian

The founder of the internationally re-nowned Eastman Wind Ensemble diedDecember 7, 2004 in Siesta Key, Flor-ida after a brief illness. Frederick Fen-

nell founded the 45-member Eastman WindEnsemble in 1952 and set the standard modelfor wind band performance with one player toeach part and encouraged original repertoirefor such ensembles. This recognition as theleader of the wind ensemble movement in theUnited States caused Fennell to become one ofthe most sought after guest conductors of histime. Born on July 2, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio,Fennell began percussion studies at an earlyage and in 1931 met John Philip Sousa at theInterlochen (Michigan) music camp. Fennellwas a bass drummer and Sousa was guest con-ductor and had written The Northern PinesMarch for the school. Sources say that afterFennell played under Sousa he called himself“Mr. Sousa’s bass drummer.” Fennell graduated from the EastmanSchool of Music in Rochester, NY in 1937 as apercussion major. He received his master’sdegree in music theory in 1939 and immedi-ately joined the conducting faculty. During his years conducting the EastmanWind Ensemble, Fennell produced 24 record-ings for the Mercury record label. The popu-larity of these recordings led to an interest inband music worldwide. The New Grove Dic-tionary of American Music states that“Fennell’s pioneering series of recordings forMercury brought about a reconsideration of thewind medium and established performance andliterature models for the more than 20,000wind ensembles that were subsequently estab-lished in American schools.” Frederick Fennell left the Eastman Schoolof Music in 1962 and continued to be in greatdemand as a guest conductor. In addition toassuming the conductor-in-residence positionat the University of Miami from 1965-1980, healso enjoyed conducting duties at the BostonPops, Minneapolis Symphony, InterlochenArts Academy, Dallas Wind Symphony, andCleveland Orchestra. Fennell played a great part in recordinginnovation in 1978 when Telarc Records is-sued the first classical digital recording pro-duced in the United States. It was dubbed asthe “bass drum heard ‘round the world” be-cause it helped to set the tone for the up andcoming technology. The recording featuredmusicians from the Cleveland Orchestra, hand-picked by Fennell. On hearing of Fennell’sdeath, Telarc president Bob Woods said: “Dr.Fennell may have been a serious taskmaster,

but he also gave tremendous support and re-spect to those who played for him. His per-sonal excitement and passion for music wasinspiring for everyone who worked for him.He will be sorely missed, and never forgotten.Frederick Fennell was the dean of conductorsof what most people would call a ‘band’, but inhis hands it was a ‘wind ensemble’, and thelevel of music was never less than first class.” It is in these remarks from Bob Woods thatwe see the lasting impression that Fennellbrought to the band world. He was capable ofuplifting the art of band music from merely

entertainment to serious, artistic, professionalrepertoire. All Music Guide also praised Fen-nell at the time for “the growing number of se-rious compositions for wind ensemble, and thelarge number of institutionalized ensembles toplay them.” Fennell continued his conducting dutieslate in life and from 1984-1989 was conductorof the Kosei Wind Orchestra in Tokyo. Fred-erick Fennell Hall was opened in Japan in1992. Many awards were bestowed upon Fen-nell during his long illustrious career includ-ing:

* Member - Classical Music Hall ofFame

* Member - National Hall of Fame forDistinguished Band Directors

* Honorary Chief of the Kiowa Tribe* Honorary Doctorate Eastman School

of Music* Honorary Doctorate Oklahoma City

University* Member - Society of the Sons of the

American Revolution* Fellow – Company of Military Histo-

rians* Medal Recipient – Congressional

Committee for the Centennial of theCivil War

* Recipient – Star of the Order fromthe John Philip Sousa MemorialFoundation

In a statement following Fennell’s death,Eastman School Dean James Undercofler said,“An amazing era has come to an end. The en-tire Eastman community is deeply saddenedby the death of this remarkable man.” And Donald Hunsberger, director of theEastman Wind Ensemble from 1965-2002, hadthis to say: “Since the early 1950s, there can hardlybe a wind performer or conductor who has notbeen introduced to or affected by – in someway – the innovations of Frederick Fennell andhis Eastman Wind Ensemble approach to musi-cality in the wind band world. He broke openthe long-standing traditions of large bands withtheir borrowed orchestral arrangements andsought to create a new original repertoire frommajor composers of the day. These activities,plus his own indomitable spirit and enthusiasmfor performance, made him well known tothousands of performers throughout the UnitedStates and the world.” On a personal note, I had the opportunityto see Frederick Fennell in concert in 2003 atKutztown University. He was one of 9 guestconductors of the Allentown Band at its 175th

Anniversary Concert. To see Fennell come outonto the stage was an interesting sight. He wasabout 5 feet tall with wild white hair reminis-cent of Albert Einstein. His presence was boldand commanding for such a diminutive person.But he had everyone’s attention – performerand audience member. It was a memorableconcert for me and one that Berks County andKutztown University should be proud of spon-soring. It is sad to note that nothing of Fennell’sdeath was noted in our local newspaper underthe national obituaries. He was indeed a leg-end in his own time. In a note to her father’sfriends, daughter Catherine describes what wasgoing through this great musician’s mind in hislast moments. “I had promised him that Iwould do all I could to get him back to SiestaKey so he could watch the sun set over theocean…. A bit before midnight, dad told me hewas ‘frustrated and disappointed. When Iasked him, ‘Why?’ he replied, ‘There’s nodrummer here yet. I can’t die without a drum-mer!’ I told him that I loved him, and thatHeaven’s best drummer was on the way. Mo-ments later he said, ‘I hear him! I hear him!I’m OK now.’ This was my final conversationwith my dad.” Mark Scatterday, current director of theEastman Wind Ensemble said, “Fred Fennellchanged music. He was short in height, buthuge in stature and character. He was the con-summate professional and entertainer – and aclass act in every way. He will be deeplymissed, but never, ever forgotten.” Fennell’s wishes were to be cremated andhis ashes scattered in the woods at Interlochen,Michigan. His daughter, Catherine and hiswife, Elizabeth Ludwig-Fennell intend to ful-fill those wishes.


FENNELLCONDUCTSSOUSAby Maria C. Reichenbach

This CD is perfect for those inter-ested in listening to two of thehistoric recordings Frederick

Fennell made with the Eastman WindEnsemble on the Mercury label. The24 Sousa marches were recorded onMay 2, 1960 and May 5, 1961 at East-man Theater, Rochester, NY and origi-nally released as 2 separate records –Sound Off and Sousa on Review. Orig-inally recorded on 3-track half-inchtape, only original masters were usedto transfer the music to CD. For the 2 recording sessions, theEastman Wind Ensemble was arrangedin its usual straight rows across thestage. Sound level checks were madeat the beginning of the recordings thenset. Nothing was changed during therecordings so what you hear on thisCD was how it sounded in the theater. The instrumentation of the East-man Wind Ensemble for these record-

ings consisted of 25 woodwinds, 19brass, 6 percussion, harp, and stringbass. This closely rivaled the makeupof Sousa’s Marine Band of 26 wood-winds, 20 brasses, and 3 percussion.The quality of musicianship is equal aswell. The Eastman Wind Ensemblehas a very polished, precise, crispsound to it. The depths and clarity ofthe brass, the melodic, smoothness of

the reeds, and thedriving, con-trolled bombastoof the percussionall meld into aperfect delight toany listener. You won’t

find the Washington Post or El Capi-tan marches on this CD but don’t bedisappointed. Some of Sousa’s bestmarches are included – Sound Off, Lib-erty Bell, and Black Horse Troop.Other lesser known marches are alsoperformed, including New MexicoMarch. That’s what makes this CD abest buy for band music enthusiasts.73 minutes of 24 marches covering 48years of Sousa’s creative genius.Team that up with Frederick Fennelland the Eastman Wind Ensemble tomake this CD a memorable addition toyour collection.

Heard Aroundthe Band Hall...Larry Wingard from our tuba sec-tion is retiring effective 10/15/04from the Evangelical LutheranChurch in America for whom hehas worked in one capacity or an-other for the past 20 years. Hehas conducted capital campaignsfor congregations, served as development officerfor several nursing homes and arefugee/immigration service,. Larry has conductedstewardship workshops for more than 200 congre-gations. He frequently preaches and lectures on“giving.” Prior to his church service Larry was aUnited Way and a Boy Scout executive. A CFRE(Certified Fund Raising Executive), he is an associ-ate of the firm of Gronlund Sayther Brunkow whoprovide development consulting services (capitalcampaigns, long range and strategic planning) tochurches and social service institutions. You cancontact Larry at 610-966-6705 or [email protected].

Debbie Greenawald, vocalist, wasrecently appointed to the faculty atAlvernia College as Assistant Pro-fessor of Nursing. She describes thejob as “extremely challenging butalso very rewarding.” Debbie contin-

ues to work on her doctorate in Nursing Educationat Widener University. In November, she wasnamed Independence Blue Cross Nurse Scholarand received a special grant for her continuing edu-cation.

Leslie A. Kerchner, 22, of Sinking Spring, asummertime student member of the RinggoldBand, recently had the opportunity to play CarnegieHall. This accomplished clarinetist auditioned forthe 2004 National Festival Orchestra comprised ofhigh school and college students from across thecountry. The NFO is presented annually by Mid-AmericaProductions, an organization dedicated to identify-ing exceptional musical talent and providing train-ing and performance opportunities in New YorkCity. A first-chair placement for the January 16th

concert allowed her sound to be heard soloisticallyin such great orchestral works as Mahler’s No. 1 inD Major, "Titan", and Ravel’s "Tzigane" under thebaton of legendary Lukas Foss. Leslie recently graduated from Lebanon ValleyCollege in Annville, PA with degrees in music edu-cation and performance. She plans to pursuegraduate study in music and will strive to makecontributions to the classroom as well as the stage.Ms. Kerchner would like to thank the Reading Mu-sical Foundation for the generous scholarship thatmade her trip to NYC possible.

A REED BY MANYOTHER NAMESBy Richard Emlin Reed, Port Charlotte,FL.

My father, George Joseph Reed,was a member of the band forquite a few years. During all the

years that I was growing up, my father'savocation was playing the bass horn. Ican remember hearing him practice,sometimes up in the attic, and sometimesin the schoolyard next-door to our house.He supplemented his income by playingin the Ringgold Band of Reading. Reflecting on it now, I realize whatdrudgery he underwent to earn those fewextra dollars. First, he had to walk twomiles to Womelsdorf where he took thestreetcar - later on, the bus - to Reading.When he reached Reading he had to goto the band hall where he would get a rideto wherever the band was performing thatday. When the job was over, he returnedhome by reversing his route. He musthave been a good musician because theRinggold Band enjoyed a good reputation

and, I suppose, they earned it by engag-ing good musicians. My father had a specialty which gaverise to an amusing story. He played thepiccolo part of the "Stars And Stripes For-ever" on the bass horn. I rememberhearing him practice the part and, I mustsay, he really made those valves rattle. Ithappened that John Philip Sousa, the fa-mous March King and the composer ofthe "Stars And Stripes Forever" died of aheart attack while visiting Reading, wherehe heard the Ringgold Band play. Myfather, of course, played his specialtywhich, the other bandmen said by way ofteasing him, caused poor Sousa to sufferhis fatal heart attack.

The previous is an excerpt from one of four ances-try books written by Richard Emlin Reed. Mr.Reed’s father, George Joseph Reed, was born onOctober 31, 1889 and died on February 21, 1957.George was associated with the Ringgold Band inthe late 1920s and early 1930s. Although Mr.Reed’s books were never published, copies of themare at the Historical Society of Reading, PA.


Member Spotlight!

JIM SEIDEL LOOKS BACK ON 25YEARS OF THE RINGGOLD BANDby Maria C. Reichenbach

I recently had the chance to discuss with Jim Seidel his quarter-of-a-century tenure as director of the Ringgold Band.

The Reading Eagle ran a story on the passing of the baton to youfrom then Ringgold Band director Walter Gier back in April1980. Did you think back then that you would be in the positionyou are today as achieving the second-longest tenure as directorof the band?

No, never did I realize I would continue for this length of time. Ifeel it is quite an honor to be part of such a great tradition.

Besides Walter Gier, have you had other mentors or musicianswhose style you pattern yourself after? If you had an opportunityto meet with any musical conductor in the world (living or dead)who would it be and why?

Walter was by far the greatest influence on my life both in musicand life in general. Donald Stanley, who was the low brass in-structor and director of the wind ensemble, shared many musicalideas and rehearsal techniques with me over the years. He alsoinstilled in me the passion for quality music that connects with theaudience. The answer to the second question could be long. Theman whose brain I would like to pick would have been EugeneOrmandy. He was able to get such a special sound from the Phil-adelphia Orchestra that I am sure there was something in his de-livery and personality that caused that to happen. He had such arapport with his musicians and connected so well with the com-munity and the audiences.

The directorship of the band is an enormous responsibility. Asthe 11th director in the band’s 150 years what keeps you moti-vated to continue?

The people who make up the membership. I love band music,and making quality music is so enjoyable. Some Mondays I sayI’m beat. Then it’s time to go to rehearsal, and within minutes ofwalking in the door the fatigue is gone and joy of friendship andmusic take over.

What challenges have you faced in your 25 years as director ofthe band?

Every year is a new challenge. Just when I feel comfortable withthe core musicians within the band something unforeseen chang-es, such as job relocation, retirement, pregnancy, that alwayscauses me a bit of anxiety. Finding that replacement is not al-ways a simple task, but one that has worked out for all over time.The first year of my tenure we lost our lease on the rehearsalheadquarters in Reading, and things looked very bleak, but

through the efforts ofBen Funk (former Ring-gold trumpet player) andthe financial genius ofJohn Connelly, the pres-ent day location becamea reality which reallyput the band in a perma-nent state. Prior to thatthere was so much un-certainty which alsoshowed in the rehearsaltime and performance.

What accomplishmentshave you seen the Ring-gold Band achieve dur-ing the last quarter of acentury?

The dinner concertwas a great inception to challenge the band during the fall andbring our audience together under a different performance venue.I believe that the band has maintained consistent quality over theyears even as personnel has changed. Another fact is the qualityof soloist performing with the band, which was a tradition thathas been kept alive. Probably the biggest accomplishment is thewelcoming attitude of the members to young talented musicianswho attend rehearsal and have blessed the band with youth andvitality.

What kind of changes have you seen in the band over the past 25years?

One of the most positive changes I have seen is in the businessoperation of the band. People like Dave Myers have taken theirelected positions with pride and taken the band to new heights asfar as an organization. This has allowed the musical director tofocus on music rather than the business end, which was not thecase at one time.

What keeps the band enduring through the years?

Having the opportunity to travel within band circles I hear a com-mon theme among band people. People who make band musicare very passionate about it. From the days where bands wereformed by companies, to today where some are forming withincommunities, you hear how excited they are to play good qualityband music. They also enjoy the camaraderie of the membership.I think the fact we rehearse year round and rehearse in differentphases helps keep consistency within the band.

What is your philosophy of programming music and has itevolved over the years? As quoted in the Reading Eagle in 1980,you wanted to “continue having the band perform the ‘good oldmusic’ favored by Fred Cardin and Walter Gier.”

Director, James S. Seidel


Whenever I create a program there aretwo things I consider. One - will I chal-lenge the musicians and want them toplay another program. Two - is theresomething on that program that everyaudience member can walk away fromthe concert feeling fulfilled. Over theyears I have created a pretty quick pacebecause in my mind people did not cometo see the Ringgold Band get their musicready. They came because they love bandmusic. So they should hear band music.I believe variety is the key to our success.There are selections I program that I donot care for, but someone likes it. Sim-ply translated, you can’t please everyoneall the time, but we can make manyhappy most of the time with a wide vari-ety of selections. Musically the band hasreally been able to play some of the mostchallenging music written for the concertband. The membership has worked hardto develop a quality sound and repertoireto provide a wide variety of music to theaudience.

What do you think about exposing an au-dience to new or not –as-known music?

I feel it is the band’s responsibility tochallenge the musicians and also educateour audience with new compositions. Ona spring concert I always try to programmusic away from the “old chestnut” cate-gory and play at least one well conceivednew work for band. I feel pretty comfort-able of knowing our audience will accepta composition if they receive a bit of un-derstanding about it. It may not reach thetop ten list of favorites, but it will not becompletely rejected. As stated earlier, Ido believe in reaching everyone in theaudience. Everyone loves to leave a con-cert humming a melody or clapping arhythm pattern. Without the audienceconnection the music doesn’t have asmuch meaning to me. Music is an artform where the musicians and consumersmust connect!

Do you have a favorite “old chestnut”?How about a favorite march and/or com-poser?

The “Poet and Peasant Overture” by vonSuppe is probably my favorite. Whatbeautiful melodic lines and excitementcreated in this chestnut. I love marchesand it is no secret that I love Sousamarches with my favorite being “SolidMen to the Front.”

From the past 25 years, do you have afavorite guest soloist, director, or con-cert?

Let’s just say over this time period it hasbeen quite an honor to work with the tal-ented musicians we have brought to theBerks County stage. Many who were sotalented were so easy to work with that itseemed too simple.

How many concerts do you think you’veconducted with the Ringgold? I wouldestimate 500, which is a staggering num-ber.

That is an interesting fact. I’ve neverthought about it but would be willing tobet on at least 500.

Do you have any special moments in youryears with the band that stand out as be-ing meaningful to you on a personal lev-el?

There have been many both humorousand proud, but the moment that will livewith me forever, which I think sums upmuch of what has been said, was at theBrickerville Church concert on July 3,1999. I stood on the podium and broughtdown the baton for our traditional open-ing of America the Beautiful and theband played the Wedding March. Theday before, my wife Wendy and I weremarried and postponed a mini-honey-moon in favor of the Brickerville concert.That moment showed me the importanceof true friendship and the joy musicbrings us.

How long do see yourself continuing withthe band?

I see myself continuing for a number ofyears. As long as my health stays goodand the band is willing to have me con-tinue, everything falls into place. Theband has been such a major part of mylife it is difficult to see myself withoutthat Monday night travel. I have men-tally prepared myself, however, to knowwhen the time comes for the benefit ofthe organization. I thank everyone overthe years for their suggestions, support,and friendship, that is what has kept megoing.


HAPPENINGS FROMTHE YEAR 1905

held rehearsals at its band headquar-ters at 437 ½ Penn Street

had approximately 30 members

reported $5.85 in its treasury at thebeginning of the year and $101.80 atthe end of the year

purchased new caps for the musi-cians at a cost of $169.05

paid $6.49 to have a bass drum re-framed

earned extra income by renting theband hall to Professor Fred Moyer’sGlee Club for $1.00 per night for re-hearsal

received a report from its AmusementCommittee that revealed a deficit of$16.55 from its annual concert at theAcademy of Music in Reading. Ticketsales amounted to $64.00 while ex-penses equaled $80.55 ($60.00 torent the Academy, $8.68 in adver-tising in the papers, and other mis-cellaneous expenditures).

Paid $238.95 to Dives, Pomeroy &Stewart for new uniforms

Debuted the Ringgold March in con-cert on May 2, 1905. This new marchwas written by Monroe Althouse, di-rector of the band. The Reading Her-ald newspaper described it as “alively and spirited composition, wor-thy of Sousa, and well received.” Itwas at this concert that the band alsowore their newly purchased uniforms.

RINGGOLD BANDMEMBERS WORKFOR MAYORBy John T. Connelly

Shortly after his election, Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon spoketo John Connelly, a member and past president of the band, abouthis hope that something could be done to use music as a means ofencouraging students in the Reading School District to stay off the

streets and out of trouble. A week after the mayor's inauguration, John,along with Cindy Miller-Aungst, president of the band, Jim Seidel, itsConductor, and Thomas McCarthy, a resident of the city active at the Cur-tis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, met for lunch to discuss the mayor'shopes in greater detail. The upshot of that luncheon was that there would need to be threeelements of a program which might reach students in the city; the ReadingSchool District, the Curtis Institute and the local group coordinating theprogram. The main thrust of the program is to have students or recentgraduates from Curtis visit elementary and middle schools in the city andbring their instrument and the message that music is a lifelong experienceand worth attaining some degree of proficiency in it. An effort was madeto have the first program take place in April, 2004, but the pressures ofpreparing students for testing for the No Child Left Behind Act compli-ance and the early May graduation ceremonies at Curtis got in the way.

On November 17, Joseph Conyers, a 2004 graduate of Curtis,along with Tom McCarthy, presented a program to the third and fifthgrade classes at Riverside Elementary School in Reading as well as smallclasses to students of the double bass (Mr. Conyers' instrument) from thehigher grades in the district. All reports from teachers and students are thatthe sessions were extremely well-received. More importantly, "thankyou" letters from the students indicated strongly that the message that mu-sic can make a difference in one's life came across loud and clear. At leasttwo and possibly three additional such programs are expected to be pre-sented before the end of the '04-'05 school year. Concurrently, with the leadership of Cindy Miller-Aungst andcooperation of the eight other music teachers in the four middle schools inthe city, more than twenty middle school students were invited to jointheir teachers for dinner and a concert presented by the Symphony Orches-tra of the Curtis Institute and its guest piano soloist, Susan Starr. After theconcert, the students were able to spend time with some of the members ofthe orchestra, its conductor Otter Wemer Mueller, and Gary Graffman,president and director of the Curtis Institute. The students from Readingthoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the musi-cians from Curtis, and the reports from Curtis tells that the young virtuo-sos from around the world likewise were happy to chat with the youngfolks from the Reading schools and their teachers. The cost of the eveningwas underwritten by the generosity of several donors from Berks Countywho were recognized in the evening's program. The Ringgold Band's leaders were critically important in design-ing the program and making it happen. The hope of all concerned is thatthe program will continue for several years. The band has taken a keeninterest in attempting to attract young musicians from throughout thecounty and the leadership of the Curtis Institute is committed to doingwhat it can to address this kind of program in Reading in the future.


Sat., April 9 8:00 p.m. performance w/ Reading Symphony Orchestra Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Reading, PA

Sun., April 10 3 p.m. 153rd Annual Spring Concert Scottish Rite Cathedral, West Reading, PA

Sun., May 29 1-3 p.m. Adamstown Community Days Adamstown Park, Adamstown, PA

Sun., May 29 6-8 p.m. Gring's Mill Park, Wyomissing, PA Concert in the Park

Sat., June 11 4:30-7:30 p.m. Allegheny UCC, Strawberry Festival Alleghenyville, PA

Fri., June 17 6:30-8:30 p.m. Shillington Memorial Park Shillington, PA

Sat., June 25 4-7 p.m. Schwarzwald Lutheran Church Picnic(raindate Sun., June 26) Jacksonwald, PA

Sat., July 2 6-9 p.m. Brickerville United Lutheran Church Picnic Brickerville, PA

Sun., July 3 1:30-3:30 p.m. Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf, PA

Mon., July 4 7-10 p.m. Greater Governor Mifflin Community Days Shillington, PA FIREWORKS!!

Sat., July 9 5:30-8:30 p.m. Hain's U.C.C. Church Picnic, Wernersville, PA

Sat., July 16 6:30-9:30 p.m. St. Michael's Church Picnic, Hamburg, PA

Sun., July 17 6:30-8:30 p.m. Quakertown Memorial Park(rain or shine) Quakertown, PA

Wed., July 27 7:30-9:00 p.m. Wyomissing Park, Wyomissing, PA(raindate Thurs. July 28) Concert & Children’s Lantern Parade at the Stone House

Sat., Aug. 13 6-9 p.m. St. John's "Hill" Church Picnic, Alburtis, PA

Sun., Aug. 14 7-8:30 p.m. Reeve's Park, Phoenixville, PA

Fri., Aug. 19 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Bethany Children’s Home 143rd Anniversary Day Celebration, Womelsdorf, PA

Tues., Aug. 23 7-9 p.m. The Highlands at Wyomissing Wyomissing, PA

Sun., Aug. 28 3-6 p.m. Zion Blue Mountain UCC Church Picnic, Strausstown, PA

Sat., Sept. 17 1-3 p.m. Oley Fair, Oley, PA

Sun., Oct. 16 6:00 p.m. Fall Dinner Concert, Stokesay Castle, Reading, PA

FOR CANCELLATION INFORMATION CALL 610-929-8525 or visit www.ringgoldband.com

Ringgold Band2005 Concert Schedule


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PAIDPERMIT NO. 26LEESPORT, PA

Ringgold Band NewsRinggold Band, Inc.3539-A Freemont St.Laureldale, PA 19605

Ringgold Band News is pub-lished twice a year for mem-bers and supporters of theRinggold Band, Inc.

Send comments and storyideas [email protected] ormail to:

Ringgold Band News3539-A Freemont St.Laureldale, PA 19605.

Editor/Designer: Dave Myers

Contributors: James Seidel,Maria Reichenbach, John Con-nelly, Dave Myers.

Photography: Dave Myers

Spring, 2005

www.ringgoldband.com

James S. Seidel, DirectorThomas Shade, Assistant DirectorCindy Miller-Aungst, PresidentGarrett Hyneman, Vice PresidentGreg Bitler, SecretaryDave Myers, Treasurer/Business Mgr.Gene Umbenhouer, Librarian

Cathy Fronheiser, Ass’t. LibrarianMaria Reichenbach, HistorianJill Scheidt, SolicitorDennis Sharman, TrusteeTom Hahn, TrusteeScott Rhoads, Trustee

Ringgold Band Officers

The Ringgold Band is a professional concert band performing throughout southeasternPennsylvania and beyond. The objectives of this organization are to nurture band music as animportant art form; to provide an opportunity for professional musicians as well as gifted youngermusicians to develop their musical skills in an artistic environment; to educate the members of theorganization and the general public of the need to preserve the heritage, cultivate the contempo-rary, and promote the future of band music; to encourage the members of the organization to ac-cept responsibility for the improvement of the American way of life and the fellowship of humankindthrough music. The band is funded by private and corporate donations; The Reading Musical Foundation,of which the Ringgold Band is an affiliate; and the Music Performance TrustFund administered through the American Federation of Musicians, Local 135-211. The band encourages the cultivation of music among communityyouth. High school and collage-age musicians are invited to rehearse withthe band Monday evenings at 8 p.m. For more information about the band,visit our webpage at www.ringgoldband.com, or [email protected].


Quan-tity Title Price

EachTotalPrice

The Ringgold Tradition, Vol. 3 - Concert Favorites -CASSETTE $ 5.00The Ringgold Tradition, Vol. 4 - Sousa On Parade -CASSETTE $ 5.00The Ringgold Tradition, Vol. 5 - Band Classics -CASSETTE $ 5.00The Ringgold Tradition, Vol. 6 - Ringgold Pops -CASSETTE $ 5.00The Ringgold Tradition, Vol. 7 - March Time - CAS-SETTE $ 5.00Ringgold Plays Von Suppe and Other Classics -CASSETTE $ 5.00Ringgold Plays Von Suppe and Other Classics -COMPACT DISC $10.00

An Althouse Tour of Berks County - CASSETTE$ 5.00

The 140 th Anniversary Concert - CASSETTE$ 5.00

An Althouse Tour of Berks County - COMPACTDISC $10.00

The 143rd Anniversary Concert - 2 CASSETTES $10.00

The 148 th Anniversary Concert - Compact Disc $10.00

** NEW ** The 149 th Anniversary Concert – 2 Com-pact Discs $17.00

SHIPPING & HANDLING ($1.50 for eachsingle tape ofCD, $2.00 for each double tape or CD) $

T O T A L ================== ====>

Order your Ringgold Band merchandise today!

153rd ANNIVERSARY

TICKET ORDER FORM

Please send me ____ tickets @ $10.00 each for a total of $______________.

Enclose check payable to “RINGGOLD BAND, INC.”

Fill out your name and address below. Mail this form along with a check payable to“RINGGOLD BAND, INC.” using the address label provided (just cut it out and tape itto an envelope). Tickets will be mailed to you promptly.

MAILING LABEL

RINGGOLD BANDSPRING CONCERT TICKETSc/o Dave Myers120 Green RoadReading, PA 19606-3662

PLEASE MAKE CHECK ORMONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO

“RINGGOLD BAND, INC.”

SHIP TO:

Name:_________________________________

Address:________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Phone:_________________________________

Email:__________________________________

The Ringgold Band of Reading, PA Ringgold Band News · Flight of the Bumble Bee type piece not on...

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Transcript of The Ringgold Band of Reading, PA Ringgold Band News · Flight of the Bumble Bee type piece not on...