History of the Memorial Concert Band of Colonie
The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie was founded in the fall of 1999 under the joint sponsorship of the Town of Colonie Parks & Recreation Department and the South Colonie Central School District. Former South Colonie Director of Music and Band Director Henry “Hank” Carr and Music Educator and musician Robert “Bob” Ullery approached the Town to sponsor a “high quality, fully instrumented community concert band similar to other outstanding municipal bands,” to provide more challenging music for outstanding players.
The Band was established as a living tribute to honor the memory of former musicians who have made the love of music a lifetime commitment. This includes South Colonie Music Department Chairmen Paul Aldi, Henry Carr, and Mark Cornell; former South Colonie faculty members J. Edward Sewell, Alex Mastren, Ruth Passenger, Bruce Belgiano, Betty Shiff, Warren Johnson, and Robert K. Oliver; and former MCBC members including Albert Hallenbeck, Norman Clo, Richard O’Neil, Dave Aldrich, Ruth Schiebler, and Bob Ullery.
The Band has played over 90 concerts in the Mark Cornell Auditorium at the Colonie Central High School, including our Inaugural Concert, November 11, 1999. In November of 2002, a Circus Music Concert was held at the New York State Museum in Albany celebrating the Great American Circus exhibit. This same concert was played again in Delmar, NY, October 2008. Concerts have also been played at several area high schools, including Shaker High School, Broadalbin-Perth High School and Mechanicville High School.
A member of the Association of Concert Bands, which aims to foster excellence in Concert Band music, the Memorial Concert Band has had the opportunity to play at several ACB Conventions, including Williamsport, PA, May 2006, Woodcliff Lake, NJ, April 2019 and to jointly host the convention at the Bardavon Opera house in Poughkeepsie, NY, April 2012.
The Memorial Concert Band has featured many of its members on stage performing solos with the band, including Jenna Topper (Tuba), John Boyer (Trombone), Ray Kim (Clarinet), Jacqueline Tenney (Piccolo), Jeffrey Bradway (Alto Sax), Tsvi Gold (Euphonium), Art Foo (Typewriter), and Jake Heiner (Drumset). We have also featured very accomplished musicians on stage including George Father (trombone), Dale Underwood (alto saxophone), Vincent DiMartino (cornet/trumpet), William Dexter (vocal), Martin Tyce (trombone), Suzanne Clune (vocal), Cathy Sheridan (trumpet), and Bill Munro (bagpipes). In May 2000, the Band shared the stage with the West Point Hellcats Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of SGM Arthur Himmelberger.
Carnegie Hall came calling in November of 2019 when the Band was asked to play a Veterans Day concert to honor America and its Veterans from New York City. Along with the National Festival Concert Choir, and narrated by Veteran and advocate Tommy Zurhellen, the MCBC played a sold-out show to more than 2500 Veterans and their families.
MCBC is a true Symphonic Concert Band. While the Band has played Holst’s First Suite in Eb multiple times, its favorite composer is John Philip Sousa followed by E. F. Goldman, Karl King, L. Anderson and Warren Baker. Performances of music written by members of the band include Henry Carr’s La Bella Napoli, and Morton Gold’s Concerto for Euphonium.
The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie is the pride of Colonie and the pinnacle of wind bands in Upstate New York and the Northeast. Not only has it brought professional caliber, quality music to the residents of Colonie and the surrounding areas, it has promoted and showcased the Town of Colonie throughout the Northeast.
The Band was established as a living tribute to honor the memory of former musicians who have made the love of music a lifetime commitment. This includes South Colonie Music Department Chairmen Paul Aldi, Henry Carr, and Mark Cornell; former South Colonie faculty members J. Edward Sewell, Alex Mastren, Ruth Passenger, Bruce Belgiano, Betty Shiff, Warren Johnson, and Robert K. Oliver; and former MCBC members including Albert Hallenbeck, Norman Clo, Richard O’Neil, Dave Aldrich, Ruth Schiebler, and Bob Ullery.
The Band has played over 90 concerts in the Mark Cornell Auditorium at the Colonie Central High School, including our Inaugural Concert, November 11, 1999. In November of 2002, a Circus Music Concert was held at the New York State Museum in Albany celebrating the Great American Circus exhibit. This same concert was played again in Delmar, NY, October 2008. Concerts have also been played at several area high schools, including Shaker High School, Broadalbin-Perth High School and Mechanicville High School.
A member of the Association of Concert Bands, which aims to foster excellence in Concert Band music, the Memorial Concert Band has had the opportunity to play at several ACB Conventions, including Williamsport, PA, May 2006, Woodcliff Lake, NJ, April 2019 and to jointly host the convention at the Bardavon Opera house in Poughkeepsie, NY, April 2012.
The Memorial Concert Band has featured many of its members on stage performing solos with the band, including Jenna Topper (Tuba), John Boyer (Trombone), Ray Kim (Clarinet), Jacqueline Tenney (Piccolo), Jeffrey Bradway (Alto Sax), Tsvi Gold (Euphonium), Art Foo (Typewriter), and Jake Heiner (Drumset). We have also featured very accomplished musicians on stage including George Father (trombone), Dale Underwood (alto saxophone), Vincent DiMartino (cornet/trumpet), William Dexter (vocal), Martin Tyce (trombone), Suzanne Clune (vocal), Cathy Sheridan (trumpet), and Bill Munro (bagpipes). In May 2000, the Band shared the stage with the West Point Hellcats Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of SGM Arthur Himmelberger.
Carnegie Hall came calling in November of 2019 when the Band was asked to play a Veterans Day concert to honor America and its Veterans from New York City. Along with the National Festival Concert Choir, and narrated by Veteran and advocate Tommy Zurhellen, the MCBC played a sold-out show to more than 2500 Veterans and their families.
MCBC is a true Symphonic Concert Band. While the Band has played Holst’s First Suite in Eb multiple times, its favorite composer is John Philip Sousa followed by E. F. Goldman, Karl King, L. Anderson and Warren Baker. Performances of music written by members of the band include Henry Carr’s La Bella Napoli, and Morton Gold’s Concerto for Euphonium.
The Memorial Concert Band of Colonie is the pride of Colonie and the pinnacle of wind bands in Upstate New York and the Northeast. Not only has it brought professional caliber, quality music to the residents of Colonie and the surrounding areas, it has promoted and showcased the Town of Colonie throughout the Northeast.