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player ready...A unique music group is celebrating its first birthday this month.
And that’s no small feat for the White Ripple Community Band, an ensemble for beginning adult musicians that volunteer their talents to community events free of charge.
“We started last year as an opportunity for adults to pick up their instruments after a long hiatus and learn how to play music together,” said co-founder and teacher Mary Schons. “Over the past year, students have told me that band practice is a nice break from the stresses of everyday life… it’s a good way to carve out a little ‘me’ time for oneself, and an opportunity to form friendships along the way.”
Various instruments and different levels of experience make for an interesting mix of musicians, and all 12 members admit they had much to learn when they first began. Teachers Schons and Rich Boban helped them to reach their goals, they added.
Joining a few months ago, clarinet player Linda Gutierrez of Hammond had been away from her instrument for almost 20 years.
“I last played when I was in high school, and it feels good to take this up again,” she said during a recent practice session at the White Ripple Gallery, located in the Hessville section of Hammond. “I also want to learn to play the guitar, and I’ll have that opportunity too. This group has encouraged me.”
Sherry Kubiak plays guitar and is one of the original members. The Griffith resident believes that participation in the band will benefit anyone who comes on board.
“In addition to meeting so many new friends, I’ve become more experienced with my playing and reading music,” she said, of her gains. “I’ve learned over 250 songs this past year. That’s impressive to me.”
Another member making the one-year mark is Alan Lee of Hammond.
The banjo player knew basic chords on his instrument, but hadn’t picked it up for more than five years.
After seeing a newspaper article about Schons and her banjo-playing experience, Lee decided that he wanted to expand his musical knowledge. So he joined the White Ripple Community Band to reach his goal.
“Since then, I’ve learned how to read notes and scales, as well as the myriad of chords than can be used on the banjo,” Lee said. “Rich and Mary are great teachers, very patient with everyone.”
The White Ripple Community Band is open to adult music students of all ages and all experience levels. A nominal fee is charged for each weekly session, and the ability to read music is not required.
In a relaxed environment, students bring their own instruments to class, learning a few songs during each class.
Along with Monday night rehearsals, the band enjoyed performing many venues in its first year of operation.
Among them were performances at the Live in the Ville event in Hessville, the Hammond Public Library programs, and Fox Gallery’s River Jam during the summer. The White Ripple Community Band also performs at the art gallery’s open house event on the second Saturday of every month.
More information about the White Ripple Community Band can be obtained at (219) 688-1896.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.