Marple Newtown Community Band Bring Musicians Together

BROOMALL–Marple Newtown Community Band is a rather large group of people who love playing music. There are about 45 rotating members. The group is very flexible with work and personal schedules because the goal is to provide an opportunity for as many people as they can get for a chance to play.

On Sunday, June 5, it was a perfect summer day to celebrate the Marple Newtown Community Band's 15th season. The show was held at the in Broomall.

Concertgoers of all ages came out to enjoy music, free pretzels and water ice. Some brought out picnic blankets and relaxed while others walked around the paved path that circles the park. Kids hung out with parents and grandparents or took to the playground. The soundtrack for the evening included several medleys of Glenn Miller and Henry Mancini.

"You find it [instrument] and you clean it off. It's like riding a bicycle. It does come back," explained organization president Brian Gillin. He also feels that the summer time is an ideal time to get involved.

Musically, they do a variety of classic favorites. Band Director Anthony Wastler feels the audiences really love hearing the band perform show tunes and songs from their favorite films. They also do a lot of big band numbers from big names like Glenn Miller along with John Phillip Sousa marches.

The group is very casual and there is no competition between musicians to grab the big solo. Marple Newtown Community Band has a real community feel and the members are able to perform pieces and selections they enjoy and feel comfortable playing. The band has a varied level of expertise with each member. Some are more professional while others have just pulled out their high school instrument to relearn and have fun.

The roots of the band stems from the Marple Newtown Alumni Band, which featured former band members. After a few years, a handful of alumni band members wanted to branch out to include people who didn't grow up in Marple Newtown.

Members also wanted to enjoy playing all year round instead of just a short summer season as the Alumni Band had done. They approached former Alumni Band Director, Larry McGriff, who agreed to be their conductor. The newly formed Marple Newtown Community Band created a board of directors to run the programs.

Gillin had seen an ad in the local paper recruiting musicians. He had been out of college for a few years and was going through band "withdrawal." Gillin has been involved ever since the band's first rehearsals. In June of 1996, the Marple Newtown Community Band got off the ground and before they knew it their first performance was at the 4th of July parade.

The band can be seen all over the tri-county area. In the past years, they have performed between 12-15 events such as concerts and parades. This season has already been pretty busy. They have recently done concerts at the Granite Farms, Lima Estates, and . 

Along with the Marple Newtown 4th of July Parade, they will be playing at Campbell's Field in Camden and Frawley Stadium in Wilmington this summer. In the fall they will be playing at the Thomas Massey House in Broomall. If that wasn't enough, they are currently working on teaming up with The Independents, the women's soccer team that plays at Widener University.

They are currently recruiting for a few new members, specifically percussionists as well as oboe or bassoon players. The goal is to make good music and meet new people.

If you are interested in joining the Marple Newtown Community Band contact Brian Gillin at (610) 308-8692 or via email.