NORTHAMPTON — When Priscilla Ross founded the Florence Community Band in 2001, it was just 10 people dusting off their high school instruments.
There was no aspiration to still be around after 25 years. There was no strategic planning to recruit talent. The only real motivation for Ross at the time was convenience.
“I had three kids and I thought it would be easier to have a community band in Florence than driving to Belchertown since that was the only other community band,” said Ross, who finds herself preparing for a 25th anniversary concert on Sunday where she will be conducting a group of 75.
The group meets every Wednesday night of the school year in the Northampton High School music room, in addition to performing in the community. After its 2001 founding, the group’s first gig was at the Florence Memorial Day Parade, where they performed on the lawn of Trinity Park. Other venues have included local nursing homes and the Hampshire County Jail.
Their largest annual crowd, which has maxed out at more than 200 people, is the Whole Children and Milestones’ Joyful Chorus, a concert held during the holidays.
And over the years, Ross said “The Eighth Candle,” a Hanukkah song, has been an audience and band favorite.
Trip back in time
Ross recalls that when the group first started, she didn’t know how to conduct. “I learned on the job,” she said during one of the band’s recent rehearsals. “They’ve watched me grow up.”
Some of the original 10 still show up weekly, including horn-player Jody Kinner and trumpeters Steve Hawley and Ed Cohen.
Kinner, a 1972 Northampton High graduate, played the horn in high school and college. Being part of a Coast Guard family took her from place-to-place, but after settling back in Northampton, she took her horn out of storage and joined the Florence Community Band.
“It was great to start playing again and take the cobwebs off,” she said, adding that she continues to show up because, “There’s a lot of friendship and camaraderie here. As older adults, it’s great to have that.”
A sign in Mike Flynn’s barbershop led Hawley to attend back in 2001, and he hasn’t given up the habit.
“I remember being a little nervous about it,” said Hawley. “I hadn’t played in a couple of years. I didn’t know if this was a new band, an old band, an established band, and where I’d fit it. And then I show up, and there’s 10 people.”
He continued, “I was very, very happy to find this group. The people in it were wonderful. Music has always been a part of me and part of my life, and so having a place where I can play is so helpful at a very, very deep human level. The music gives you such a grounding.”
Cohen hadn’t picked up his trumpet in five years back in 2001. He was comforted when he saw Hawley also show up with a trumpet.
“I went to the very first rehearsal, sounded horrible, it was really bad. And when Steve showed up I was like, ‘thank God, another trumpet player,'” he said.
Ross attributes her sanity to the weekly meetings.
“It’s probably what kept me sane as a mom, as a working mom,” said Ross. “I had this every Wednesday commitment to get out of the house, period. I walked out of the house and that was it.”
Aside from the convenience of having a local community band, Ross added that founding the group also connected her to her roots. Her mom was a music major in college and her dad, David L. Mossman, also led a community band. When Ross founded the group she started by playing her dad’s songs.
Like Ross, some “99%” of Florence Community Band members started playing an instrument at a young age and continued through high school. Some even continued into college.
But young people are picking up instruments in decreasing numbers, she added, noting that funding limitations cause dwindling music programming for children.
“It’s really sad, because I talk to so many people who say, ‘I regret never learning an instrument,'” said Ross. “I never talked to someone who says I reget it.”
“The important thing, what people get out of this band, is the community piece,” said Ross. “There’s the music piece, which is why we’re all here, but it’s a testament to how important music is in early childhood and the schools.”
A newer member, Tim Anderson, said he opened the door to the music room and found Ross standing in the hallway. “I needed this,” he told her.
Anderson, who has participated with the band on and off since 2012, said the environment consistently feels like a “warm hug.”
“It’s such a social gateway. It doesn’t matter if you played all your life or just started playing not that long ago,” said Anderson. “You are welcome with open arms and you get to contribute to something special.”
Aside from the convenience of having a local community band, Ross added that founding the group also connected her to her roots. Her mom was a music major in college and her dad, David L. Mossman, also led a community band, and when Ross founded the group she started off playing her dad’s songs.
Like Ross, some “99%” of Florence Community Band members started playing an instrument at a young age and continued through high school. Some even continued into college.
But young people are picking up instruments in decreasing numbers, she added, noting that funding limitations are responsible for dwindling music programming for children.
“It’s really sad, because I talk to so many people who say, ‘I regret never learning an instrument,'” said Ross. “I never talked to someone who says I reget it.”
“The important thing, what people get out of this band, is the community piece,” said Ross. “There’s the music piece, which is why we’re all here, but it’s a testament to how important music is in early childhood and the schools.”
A newer member, Tim Anderson, said he opened the door to the music room to find Ross standing in the hallway. “I needed this,” he told her.
Anderson, who has participated with the band on and off since 2012, said the environment consistently feels like a “warm hug.”
“It’s such a social gateway. It doesn’t matter if you played all your life or just started playing not that long ago,” said Anderson. “You are welcome with open arms and you get to contribute to something special.”
Upcoming concert
The Florence Community Band’s 25th anniversary concert will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Northampton High School, featuring a mix of band favorites and 2001-themed songs. The theme song from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is part of the band’s 2001-themed set, a nod to the show’s final broadcast that year. Another band favorite is music from “The Lion King.”
Also qued up for the concert will be “Here Comes the Sun,” “Mama Mia,” “2001 Space Odyssey,” “Hallelujah” from Shreck, and other songs.
