2/28/05

Community Band Forming in Holly Springs
Band Calls Instrumentalists to Join

If you're driving by the Hunt Community Center one evening and hear some foot-tapping music, it's most likely not coming from the radio in the Fitness Room. It's more likely that the music is from a group of locals forming a community band. The sounds of everything from horns and woodwinds to percussion and bass guitar can be heard Thursday evenings at the Hunt Center as the group practices concert band, jazz, popular, patriotic and seasonal music.

So far, about 15 musicians have expressed interest in the band, but plenty of spaces are waiting to be filled by other locals. Anyone of any age that has a musical background and instrument is invited to join.

“Our number one goal is inclusion,” said David Reitmeyer, who is the musical director of the band and also plays several instruments, including the piano, bass guitar and flute. “We want people who used to play in high school, or used to play in college, and have no place to play but have an interest in taking up their instrument again.

“We have no intention of building a professional, recording, touring band but a band where we have fun,” he added.

The band is in its earliest stages of formation. Band organizers still are narrowing down what types of music to focus on, which will be steered by the instrumentalists in the band. The band is planning on playing at community events later this year.

Jim Falmonson, who is an organizer and percussionist for the band, encouraged locals to join.

“Our need is basically anyone willing to participate and have fun,” he said. “We're welcoming everybody.”

Falmonson said that in addition to having fun, one of the band's goals was to create an outlet for musicians who otherwise would not have any band with which to play.

“It's an outlet to play and to serve the community,” he said.

The band practices Thursdays at the Hunt Center from 7-9 p.m. For more information about the band, contact Falmonson at (919) 523-7081 or hollsyspringsband@gmail.com. The band also has a website discussion forum at http://groups-beta.google.com/group/hollyspringsband. The band is part of the leisure programs and activities the Holly Springs Parks & Recreation Department sponsors.

Town of Holly Springs - PO Box 8 - 128 South Main Street - Holly Springs, NC 27540 - (919) 552-6221 - Holly.Springs@hollyspringsnc.us