Kittanning Community Band Packs First Venue

by Jonathan Weaver

Hyatt Hawk’s heart beat strong last night as he played his trombone.

“I live to play music,” Hawk, 80, said. “I love it – I live to play.”

The Manorville resident – one of 57 musicians to debut in the reformed Kittanning Community Band - has also played in the Armstrong Concert and Kittanning Fireman’s Bands for more than a dozen years each.

In addition to Hawk, the band – which performed their first concert for about 150 people at West Kittanning Fire Hall last night - represents a “Who’s Who” of local musicians – from elementary band directors Jason and Charlene Krecota, to composer Drew Fennell and more than a dozen Armstrong Senior High students.

“There are tons of people playing, and there could be twice as many people playing,” Charlene said. “There is a strong desire to present music to the community in this format.”

Brainstormed in mid-May by musicians Manny and Leslie Wolfe, Leslie actually mentioned this is a reiteration of the original Kittanning Community Band that took the stage in the 1960’s under the direction of former composer and Kittanning Senior High band director Mr. James V. Colonna.

Leslie – who plays the baritone – and Manny – the tuba – actually also met through music.

“1998 was when we met, and we met because we joined a concert band. He owned a business in downtown Ford City (the former Game Warehouse on Ford Street) and I came in and asked ‘Can you give me a ride to community band?’ We played in the old Armstrong Concert Band, in a local drum corps out of Pittsburgh (the Steel City Ambassadors) – instead of going out on dates, we’d play music,” Leslie recalled.

Manny joined the Armstrong Concert Band while he was in junior high at Ford City Junior-Senior High, and he has been in the Kittanning Fireman’s Band for 30 years.

“Our only requirement is that you have completed ninth grade – only because some of the music is harder so we want to make sure people are at that level. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t touched your horn in 20, 30, 50 years. That’s happened several times,” Leslie said.

Musicians performed 14 well-known selections – such as “America the Beautiful,” the “Pennsylvania Polka” and music from the Broadway musicals “West Side Story” and “Grease” – as well as an “Instant Concert” encompassing more than two dozen popular hits.

Band Director Jason Venesky – who also directs the Armstrong Senior High Band -said the group includes about a dozen of his current and former students, from both at Ford City Junior-Senior High and now at Armstrong.

“I have a generation of students under my baton here,” Venesky said. “It’s so rewarding for me to stand in front of community members of all ages.

“There’s brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, cousins, and we’re all making music together. That’s what it’s all about.”

Leslie was also one of his students in 1996.

Venesky directed his wife, Melissa – who was in the orchestra playing saxophone.

The music inspired military veterans to stand during the playing of their themes and woman and children to clap and dance during such selections like “Pennsylvania Polka.”

So far, the organization has received several cash donations, received equipment and donations through the Kittanning Fireman’s Band and also applied for a Pennsylvania Rural Art Alliance grant that could bring as much as $2,500.

“It came together nicely,” Manny concluded. “It’s such a great experience.”

The first band practice – June 7 – also attracted 57 musicians.
West Kittanning firefighters provided hot dogs, snacks and refreshments to musicians and guests following the performance.

The band’s next performance will be two weeks from tomorrow – Saturday, July 30 – at Ford Cliff Fire Hall.

Leslie said the band – which is not affiliated with the Armstrong Concert Band or Armstrong Christmas Ensemble but has many of the same musicians - also wants to perform before Christmas.

No Comments

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.