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Girard band welcomes 'anyone who plays an instrument'
Girard Community Band
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The Girard Community Band under the direction of Joe Commarata has been performing in The Valley for several years.
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Tuba player Stephen Orlando is reflected in his horn as he rehearses with Girard Community Band. The band includes musicians of various ages and stages in their musical careers.
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Joe Commarata, founder of Girard Community Band, gets into conductor mode during a recent rehearsal. The longtime musician, who plays the trumpet, said the community band provides a place for musicians to play for the fun of it.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
GIRARD
Love of music and joy of performing bond the musicians in the Girard Community Band.
Those are two reasons that brought Sandy Putigano to the band in April. But there was another bonus playing with the group. “It takes your musicianship to a higher level,” said the tenor saxophonist.
Putigano, who graduated from Girard High School and Kent State University, played professionally with the Z Sharp Big Band and Columbus Pops Concert Band in Columbus, where she lived 24 years. She recently returned to the Mahoning Valley after having lived away for years.
“People here are so willing to help you. It’s the key to the whole thing,” she said of the band members’ camaraderie. She noted that situation helps young musicians get better and seasoned musicians stay sharp. “This is good fun and great music.”
Joe Commarata founded Girard Community Band in 2002 because he “loves music” and “as an outlet.” He has a notice running weekly in The Vindicator’s entertainment magazine, Vibe, that reads, “Anyone who plays an instrument is welcome to join.”
That open-arms attitude is appreciated by musicians who might be a bit rusty. That described Beverly Young, who had played the alto sax in high school, and missed it. She knew Commarata and encouraged him to form a community band. “I knew it would be great,” she said.
Young said she was happy and relieved to discover she still “had it” as far as her musical ability is concerned. “It’s nice to be part of a group,” she said.
Music has played a big part in Commarata’s life. He spent 38 years in Girard as the middle-school band director, retiring in 2005.
The community band has three components: the concert band with 28 members, which is the overall group, and two smaller ensembles, the swing band with 18 musicians and the Dixieland band with eight.
“We’ve played at weddings, funerals, church festivals, nursing homes and even a barn raising,” Commarata said.
The musicians represent various ages and stages in musical careers. Applause and appreciation provide the payoff for the musicians, who volunteer their time and talent. The band does receive some monetary donations, which Commarata said go toward buying music, electronic equipment and music stands.
Commarata said a concert band allows musicians to experience a “different style of music.”
The swing band, conducted by John Yaksich of Niles, plays the big-band sounds of Benny Goodman, Harry James and Glen Miller and favorites such as “Summertime,” “Sentimental Journey” and “Skylark.”
Yaksich retired as high- school band director in Mineral Ridge, where he taught 21 of his 35-year career. Yaksich, who plays the saxophone and clarinet, said his friendship with Commarata brought him to the band. “I enjoy playing,” he said, adding that friendship is the bonus among band members.
The Dixieland band, conducted by Commarata, is another stylized type of music. “It’s an early jazz sound,” he said. “There’s sections in each selection where musicians can improvise.” He said improvisation was the basis of the sound, and incorporating that “keeps that heritage alive.”
Ken Crown on tenor sax joined the band in 2003. “It’s a reason to play the horn and a venue to sing.” He added that he enjoyed playing at various places and the audiences were appreciative.
Trombonist Elizabeth John of Poland, a music- education major at Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, said the community band has a “laid-back” atmosphere that she enjoys.
Girard Community Band rehearses at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at First Christian Church, 140 E. Broadway Ave., Girard. Contact conductor Joe Commarata at 330-539-1453 for information about bookings or joining.
The band: The community band has three parts, the concert band and Dixieland band both conducted by Commarata and the swing band directed by John Yaksich.
Performances dates are as follows:
July 12: 5-7 p.m., concert and Dixieland bands at the Italian Fraternal Home on Wilson Avenue, Girard, for the Mount Carmel Festival.
July 16: 5-7 p.m., swing band at IFH.
July 20: 7-8:30 p.m., Dixieland Band at Eastwood Mall, Niles.
July 24: 3-5 p.m., swing band at St. Rose Church in Girard.
July 31: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Dixieland band at Tod Park in Girard.
Aug. 10: 7 to 8:30 p.m., concert band at Briarfield at the Ridge.
Aug. 24: 7 to 8:30 p.m., concert band at Eastwood Mall.
Aug. 28: 7 to 8:30 p.m., concert band at Tod Park.
Sept. 25: 1 to 3 p.m., Dixieland band at Fowler Historical Society get-together.