Groton Community Band spans generations of musicians

Supported by Groton Central School’s (GCS) 21st Century Learning Center grant, the Groton Community Band (GCB) has been going strong since January, 2023 and provides a wonderful musical opportunity for participants of all ages.

Mark and Jackie Baxendell have been involved since the band’s inception, and Mark has been its conductor since January, 2024 when its first conductor, Skyler Roswell, moved away. Liz Ukstin conducted briefly in the fall of 2023.

Mark is a retired music and elementary education teacher, and Jackie taught science in Groton Jr./Sr. High School from 2005 to 2020. They have lived in Groton since 1990 and operate a beef and egg farm.

“I conduct, but it’s a team effort,” Mark said. “Jackie does all the administrative support. We have members from fifth grade through adults. They’re mostly from Groton, but others are from Cortland, Dryden, Freeville and beyond. We even have a young boy who comes from Southern Cayuga!”

Mark said he took over conducting because, “I just have fun and didn’t want to see it die after Skyler left.” He added that “music is a lifetime endeavor and a good outlet for all.”

Jackie and Mark both spoke about how gratifying it is for them to watch the adults helping the kids and vice versa, and how everyone is conscious of and listening to one another and all rise to the challenge of the music.

“I challenge them to shoot for the stars,” Mark said, “and I don’t make the music too easy. At rehearsals, I have them warm up to find pitch and then give them a sight-reading piece. That gets you better at reading music. They haven’t been afraid to try it, and the band has gotten better because of it.”

Jackie added, “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it. Musicality and expression go hand-in-hand. I just love to play and encourage other people who might be nervous about picking up their instrument again. It’s a real community, and I’ve made a lot of friends.”

The current members of the GCB are Jayden Jiang and Colleen Thomas on alto saxophone, Darin LeBlanc on bass, Scott Baxendell on baritone and Stanley Mendoza on baritone saxophone. Playing clarinet are Jackie Baxendell, Alison Belcher, Terry Perkins, Trystan Powers, Kaitlyn Rude (who also plays tenor saxophone), Laurie Schutt, Toriana Toro and Mildred Warner.

“Mark is an excellent band director,” Warner said. “He has wonderful rapport with the kids and adults alike. And for us older adults, it is really fun to work with a multigenerational group. The kids have such enthusiasm, and so do we. And we sound good, which is also fun. It brings together community, across generations. I enjoy being able to be part of the school again. Playing an instrument is a social act, and you need a group. I love community band!”

Lauren Belcher, Aoife Cummings, Coco Jiang, Ashley Knights, Karen Phillips, Kristin Prugh, Noble Snyder and Esther Songput play flute. Snyder and Songput also play piccolo.

“Deciding to join the band was an easy decision for me,” Prugh said. “As a Groton alumna, I was excited to be able to play in an ensemble in the school where I learned to love performing music, and another exciting part has been to play with such a wide age range of musicians. From the elementary school student who sits beside me, to the teenagers in front of me, to those who were playing long before me, I have had a blast!”

On French horn is Hollis Finver. Rachael Hutchinson and Stephanie Neno are on horn, and Nattalie Lombardi is on oboe. Cync Brantley, Jack Ingram, Jeff Murfin, Josie Ross and Amy Schram play percussion. Kaed Gentile, Sandra Gregorich, Natalie Johnson, Jim Lowe, Willow Orr, Phil Rumsey and Shana Snyder are on trombone. On trumpet are Pat Aubine, Katelyn Boese, Kiana Herr, Zach Johnson, Tilly LeBlanc, Marc Moody, Violet Prugh, Dick Slocum and Rick Urda. Colin Warmbrodt plays tuba.

Shana Snyder said that she has been participating for two years after her son, Noble, suggested that she join him, and that it had been 30 years since she “last picked up a trombone. Needless to say, the pieces are very challenging for me,” Shana said, “but I’ve improved a lot with the help of some new friends of all ages. Community band is made up of a very eclectic, welcoming group of people who all share the same love of music.”

The GCB usually plays whenever the GCS bands have their concerts. The GCB played at the Groton High School graduation ceremony last year and hope they will again.

“We get many compliments after playing from the community and the students,” Jackie said. “Anyone can join us. They can contact me at jackiebaxendell@yahoo.com or visit our Facebook page: Groton Community Band.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Community meal and game night

Do you have cabin fever, the winter blahs, or are just plain bored? Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., invites you to come out for a free meal and game night, Saturday, March 1 from 4 to 8 p.m. All are welcome!

‘Seussical the Musical’

Save the dates for Groton High School Drama Club’s production of “Seussical the Musical” March 20, 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. nightly. Want to secure your tickets ahead of time? Contact Kelly Bishop at kbishop@grotoncs.org or call 607-898-5803 between 3 and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Crafts at The Good Neighbor

Drop in to The Good Neighbor Grocery, 209 Peru Rd., from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays for Crafty Hours. Enjoy experimenting with free craft materials and $1 off all coffee bar drinks! All ages welcome! Do you have craft materials that take up space in your house? Donate them by emailing renee@thegoodneighborgrocery.com.