Jeannette Community Band marks 30 years with music, of course

Thirty years ago, as part of an effort to create a one-time band to celebrate Jeannette's 1988 centennial, many area musicians answered the call to play for a parade and concert.

Three decades later, the Jeannette Community Band plays on, performing free concerts throughout the spring and summer, for Veterans Day and at Christmas.

Nearly a dozen original members remain, including co-director Ron Stemple and band secretary Sherrie Wood.

Like many previous and current members, Wood, 61, of Penn Township participated in her high school band.

“I saw an advertisement in the paper. It sounded like fun. I just love it. It is like an extended family,” she says.

Wood plays oboe and piccolo. Both of her adult children, Alex and Sarah, continue to play in the band when their work and college schedules permit.

Returning year after year, she says, has a lot to do with pride.

“I am so proud and honored to be a member of our community band. To be a part of a group that makes beautiful music is a truly wonderful thing,” Wood says.

The band will kick off its season with a 7 p.m. May 27 spring/Memorial Day concert at the Jeannette American Legion Post 344, with Tony D. DeNunzio Sr. as master of ceremonies.

Its regular membership, numbering 55 to 60, Wood says, ranges in age from early teens to almost 90.

Musicians commit to weekly Tuesday night rehearsals, March through December, practicing show tunes, patriotic numbers, big band, classical tunes and marches at the American Legion.

“The Legion has been our home for about 25 years. They have been very good to us,” Wood says. Wood has proudly put together several scrapbooks of the band's experiences over the decades.

“She's very modest. We wouldn't have a band if not for Sherrie. She's our historian, our communications director,” Stemple says.

Family affair

“It has to be sharp. It has to be crisp. ... Beautiful,” says Stemple during a recent rehearsal.

Stemple, 70, of Jeannette, joined the band for that planned “one time only” performance and never left, even prior to his retirement as Yough School District band director.

He takes turns directing and playing saxophone.

“We play a large variety of music, everything from classical to patriotic. ... Our music is very audience-oriented,” he says.

Stemple's daughter, Stephanie Keller, plays French horn and his brother, Tim Stemple, plays tuba with the Jeannette group. His niece, Erica Carlton, 36, of Irwin also is a co-director and plays French horn.

“One reason we have more than one director is we like to play. I played three or four years before I did any directing here. I still love playing,” Stemple says.

Camaraderie has kept Carlton with the band she began playing with while in sixth grade. “I learned from all of these people. They became another family for me,” she says. Numerous sibling and parent and child relationships dot the membership's ranks.

The band is open to new members, and there are no residency requirements or auditions.

Interested musicians can show up any Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Legion (109 S. Fifth St.) during rehearsal season, members say.

“It's the whole experience. It's such a good thing that we are able to entertain. You get a lot of satisfaction out of playing for the community,” Stemple says.

The group has never charged for a concert, members say. Donations, sponsorships and 50-50 drawings help keep the band playing.

Carlton has grown from a young musician to an adult musician to directing, taking only short leaves as her children were born.

“It's just been a progression,” she says. “I like the crowds. We get a lot of standing ovations. And the social aspect of it. We support each other in everything,” Wood says.

The band plans a Sept. 16 banquet in recognition of its 30th anniversary.

Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaryPickels.