FCCBs For Those We Honor

Bruce Weinberger, Conductor

We honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and country. FCCB and the highly acclaimed women’s chorus, Soli Deo Gloria, under the direction of Dr. Julie Carter, will combine their talents to perform John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen and American the Beautiful arranged by Carmen Dragon. This concert will be a solemn salute to our military.

Sunday, May 26, 2024

3:00 pm • Shaghoian Concert Hall

Featuring guest artists:

Soli Deo Gloria

Dr. Julie Carter, Director

Fresno Community Concert Band

Come Be Inspired!

Founded in October 1993, the band was conceived as an organization that would provide an outlet for the many amateur and retired professional musicians in the Fresno area. The band now boasts 70 players representing a wide range of age and occupation, and all are former high school or college band members. Besides this performance opportunity, the band’s mission is to provide a musical, educational and recreational advantage to the people of Fresno and surrounding area by sustaining the American tradition of the concert band, performing the best in classical and pops band literature. The Fresno Community Concert Band is unique in its mission. No other band like it exists in the area, and because of its professionalism and the dedication of its leaders and members, it will continue to present exciting concerts in the concert band tradition.

Robert Nielsen and Larry Huck served as Co-Conductors of the band from its inception until 2003 when Mr. Huck retired. Robert Nielsen remained as sole conductor, and upon announcing his retirement in May 2018, he was joined by newly appointed Associate Conductors, Sandy Headrick and Bruce Weinberger. Upon his retirement at the end of the season, they became Co-Conductors. Both Sandy and Bruce had been longtime FCCB members and very successful public school music teachers. In October 2019, Bruce Weinberger took the baton as sole conductor.

The band’s first performance on February 3, 1994 was in the Fresno City College Theatre. It has since expanded its performances to six pairs of concerts each season in both the FCC Theatre and Shaghoian Concert Hall and has also performed in the Tower Theatre for the Performing Arts, at the California Music Educators Convention, Civil War Reenactment, CSU, Fresno Wind Festival, Sacramento Band Festival and for broadcasts by MediaOne. The band has also played outreach concerts in Merced, Kingsburg, Selma and Caruthers and special concerts in the Rotary Amphitheatre in Woodward Park.

The band is governed by a sixteen-member Board of Directors. The first President was Paul W. Heath, Vice-President of Murphy Bank, who now serves as the band’s Treasurer. Jan Goyette is now in her fourth year as President. All administrative duties are performed by newly hired Band Manager, Julie Garcia, as well as board and band members and other volunteers.

The Fresno Community Concert Band is generously sponsored by Murphy Bank and Fresno City College, both of which have supported the band since its inception. Joining them is new sponsor Patrick’s Music. Additional support comes from individuals, businesses and band members themselves. Thank you!

Bruce Weinberger, Conductor

Bruce Weinberger is now retired after 35 years of teaching at Sierra High School, Tollhouse, CA, where he taught concert band, marching band, jazz band, orchestra and three choirs, as well as band and choir at the junior high. Sierra High School’s band and concert choir had the privilege of performing at a CMEA Convention in Pasadena.

Mr. Weinberger received his Bachelor of Music degree from CSU, Long Beach (during which time he became the first undergrad student conductor of the Wind Symphony) and a Masters in Music Education from CSU, Fresno. He has studied conducting with Larry Curtis, Gary Unruh, John Larry Granger, Jon Robertson and Herbert Blomstedt and studied flute with John Barcellona at CSULB. He played percussion in the FCCB and was appointed Associate Conductor of the band in 2017. He became Co-Conductor in 2018 and sole Conductor in 2019.

Mr. Weinberger was chosen “Teacher of The Year” for the Sierra Unified School District in 2000 and 2006 and was “Educator of the Year” for Sierra High School in 2015. He was also chosen to conduct Honor Bands for Tulare-Kings County and Tuolumne County. A high point of Mr. Weinberger’s career occurred in November 2014 when Mariano Rivera, former relief pitcher of the New York Yankees, personally delivered 85 new uniforms and Yamaha instruments for the entire marching band on behalf of his Foundation. In December of the same year, the Sierra High School Music Department was featured in Central California Life Magazine. Mr. Weinberger and wife D’Arcy (retired music teacher) reside in Clovis and have two adult children. Mr. Weinberger loves to cook, travel, and all things Disney.

Julie Garcia, Marketing Manager

Julie Garcia is a freelance marketing coordinator who was born and raised in Fresno. She received her BA in Advertising from Fresno State and AA in Library Tech from Fresno City College. Julie has a passion for the Fresno community, working with the Fresno Bee, Jeffrey Scott Advertising, and the River Park Farmers Market. She often works with small local businesses on branding and marketing materials.

When she is not baking delicious breads and pastries, Julie is a voracious reader and cross stitcher. Although Julie has relocated with her family to southern California, she still loves attending FCCB performances when she can.

Jillian Parsons, Band Manager

Jillian is an accounting specialist at a nonprofit in Visalia. She played guitar when she was younger and was in choir during high school. She graduated from Redwood HS in Visalia, and she just graduated with her bachelor’s in business administration from CSU East Bay. Jillian was introduced to the FCCB in February 2022 by her fiancé Patrick, who plays French horn in the band. She’s often seen with friends and family at every concert. She recently had the honor of becoming the new band manager and can’t wait to get started.

Guest Artists Soli Deo Gloria | Dr. Julie Carter, Director

Dr. Julie Carter, Artistic Director and Founder of SDG is Worship and Music Minister at First Presbyterian Church in Fresno and leads the beloved annual “Messiah Sing-Along”. In 2017 she led a choir to Germany to sing in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. She Received M.M. and D.M.A. degrees from Arizona State University, and a B.M. degree in Music Education from the University of the Pacific. She has studied conducting and choral music with several nationally known conductors.

Dr. Carter has taught at Fresno Pacific University, CSU Fresno, Sanger and Clovis High Schools, and was the Artistic Director of the Fresno Choral Artists. She also prepared the chorus for performances with the Fresno Philharmonic. Dr. Carter is sought after as a choral adjudicator and is an accomplished soprano soloist. She has performed as a soloist in the Fresno Pacific Artist Series, given voice recitals, and currently teaches voice in addition to her choral conducting work. She is married to her wonderful husband, Michael, and has two grown sons, Sean and Joshua. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, gardening, reading and traveling. Most recently she has enjoyed Dressage horseback riding.

Dr. Carter founded Soli Deo Gloria, which is in its fifteenth season. The ensemble performs throughout the Central Valley and has performed in San Luis Obispo, Carmel and San Francisco.

Soprano 1

Rebecca Mabe

Krysta Nielsen

Heidi Orender

Ellen Salazar

Soprano 2

Haley Aldape

Kay Byler Kelm

Laura Ramirez

Daphne Saul

Audriana Vargas

Walter Saul, accompanist

Alto 1

Barbara Booth Grunwald

Allison Larsen

Sharon McCammack

Dallas Mercer

Annie Pestolesi

Alto 2

Maria Faust

Zeno Jonas

Cheryl Montgomery

Leslie Purvis

Pamela Wilson

The Fresno Community Concert Band is deeply grateful for the support of

Charles “Mike” and Dolores Murphy and Murphy Bank

from the formation of the band in 1993 to present day.

Their kind help and encouragement has been instrumental to the success of the band.

A heartfelt thank you from us all!

Thank you to Fresno City College for their continued support!

We thank all of you for a great season and for supporting the Fresno Community Concert Band!

FCC Music Department Upcoming Events

MAY

30 & 31 – New Wrinkles: A Million Dreams, 7:30pm, Theatre

JUNE

01 & 07 – New Wrinkles: A Million Dreams, 7:30pm, Theatre

02, 06, 08 & 09 – New Wrinkles: A Million Dreams, 2:00pm, Theatre

JULY

27 – Dance Expo, All Day, Campus-wide

Join us! FCCB dates for our 31st Season

Saturday, October 19, 2024 – Fresno City College Theatre

Saturday, December 7, 2024 – Shaghoian Concert Hall

Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Fresno City College Theatre

Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Fresno City College Theatre

Saturday, April 26, 2025 – Fresno City College Theatre

Sunday, May 25, 2025 – Shaghoian Concert Hall

Season Passes

If you would like to have your name added to the Season Pass list, fill out the yellow form in your program and either mail it in or put it in the Donation drum. You will then receive a Season Pass order form in July.

For Those We Honor is sponsored by

Robert and Irene Nielsen

“In such a troubled world now, we especially honor our most recent fallen soldiers and remember all the heroes who have given their lives for our country. We, as Americans, should feel protected by those who serve. Bob and I who now live so close to the conflicts in the world, feel even safer knowing our soldiers are on duty.”

Active and retired veterans, we honor you today. This concert is for you and all those who gave their lives for our country.

Thank you for your service!

Piccolo

Fresno Community Concert Band Personnel

Grace Sledd – Music Teacher, CUSD

Flute

Raul Chavez – Florist/Floral Designer

Elizabeth Habib – Music Teacher, FUSD

*Laurie Harmon – Teacher

Doug Mayer – Structural Engineer

Susan Mencarini – Optometrist

Lisa Poole – Retired Science Teacher

Elaine Sherry – Retired Teacher

Grace Sledd – Music Teacher, CUSD

Frank Velasco – Tehipite M.S. Music Director

Clarinet

Mike Canady – Retired

Chris Dall – Artist

Marina Gonzalez – Music Teacher, Sanger USD

Patti Hamernik M.D. – Pediatrician

Maddy Hoge – Student

Jennifer Levy – Registered Nurse

Tracy Lewellen – Musician/Artist

Susan Nelson – Retired

William Podolsky – Retired Physician

Jashua Soto – Pharmacy Technician

Cynthia Tilghman – Semi-retired Music Teacher

Gail Inghram Verbano – Court Reporter

*D’Arcy Weinberger – Retired Music Teacher

Bass Clarinet

*Joni Bishop – Teacher

Bassoon

*Betty Snyder – Retired Educator

Alto Saxophone

Holly Bergevin – Teacher

*Becky Nissila – RN Project Coordinator

Tenor Saxophone

Todd Doucet – Programmer/Analyst expert

Baritone Saxophone

Frank Zamora – Band Instrument Repair

Technician

Horn

Chris Belden – Retired Music Teacher

Alex Bianco – Bank Teller

Christina Duran – Retired Science Teacher

Laura Hanrahan – Music Teacher, FUSD

Richard Hembree – Band Director, Caruthers HS

*Barry J. Holm – Banker

Patrick Smith – School Bus Instructor

Oboe

Carly Vasquez – Music Director, Sierra Jr/Sr HS

Jean-Paul Lee-Ladouceur – Translator, ESL Teacher

Trumpet

Eric Cymanski – Music Teacher, CUSD

Cheryl Faulkner – Rotary Planner

Brent Fremming – Digital Archivist

Jan Goyette – Retired Music Teacher

Sheldon Horn – Music Teacher

Aileen Ibarra – Music Teacher

Dean Lloyd – Retired Teacher

Tony Luna – VAPA Coordinator, Visalia Unified

Dr. Teenie Matlock – Professor, UC Merced

*Dan Pena – Band Director, Sanger West H.S.

Jenica Segura – Chem Grad Student/Lab Instructor

Trombone

Gary Barber – Underwriting Associate

Stan George – Retired Music Teacher

Erin Gunstream – Elementary School Principal

Darryl Harmon – Music Teacher

Ed Hawke – Retired

Matthew Roberts – History Teacher, Retired

*Chuck Salanitro – Music Director, Computech M.S.

Rob Taylor – Clinical Psychologist

Euphonium

Paul Heath – Vice Pres., Murphy Bank

Paul Hinkly – Retired

*Katie Isaac – Science Lab Specialist

Richard Royce – BSA Compliance Officer

Tuba

Josh Perkins – Community Inclusion Facilitator

*Harry Siverly – Musical Inst. Repair

Donald Thornton – Retired IRS Tax Examiner

String Bass

Ed Hawke – Retired

Michael McLane – Retired Teacher

Percussion

Phil Gessert – Band Director, Liberty HS

Tyler Golding – Percussion Instructor

Tracy Lewellen – Musician/Artist

Joe Lizama – Musician

Layne Williams – Asst. Music Director, Sierra H.S.

*Ezra Wright – Middle School Band Teacher

Elaine Sherry – Music Librarian

Tracy Lewellen – Stage Manager

* Section Leader

Program

Star Spangled Banner

Soli Deo Gloria – Dr. Julie Carter, Conductor

Arr. Nina Gilbert

American Salute

After The Battle.

Each Time You Tell Their Story

They Solemnly Served

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Morton Gould/Arr. Philip J. Lang

Rob Romeyn

.Samuel R. Hazo

Narrator - Paul Hinkly

Rossano Galante

William Steffi/Arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

Soli Deo Gloria – Dr. Julie Carter, Conductor

God Bless America

Irving Berlin/Arr. Joseph Martin

Soli Deo Gloria – Dr. Julie Carter, Conductor

Hymn To The Fallen

John Williams/Arr. Paul Lavender with Soli Deo Gloria

INTERMISSION

Arlington (Where Giants Lie Sleeping)

Paul Murtha Phil Gessert - Guest Conductor

Hail to the Spirit of Liberty

Armed Forces Salute

Over There

America, The Beautiful

John Philip Sousa/ Arr. Loras Schissel

Arr. Bob Lowden/Jari Villanueva

George Cohan/Arr. SSgt. Scott Ninmer with Soli Deo Gloria

Samuel Ward/ Arr. Carmen Dragon with Soli Deo Gloria

Assisting in today’s concert: Chris and Doug Dall, providing various flags from our armed services. The Sons of the American Revolution, presentation of the Colors.

Thank You

FCCB thanks The Horn Shop for their continuous support. It is deeply appreciated.

Thank You

Leo Kim, new owner of Patrick’s Music, has graciously agreed to have his store continue to serve as a ticket sales location for the Fresno Community Concert Band. We deeply appreciate his support and look forward to this continuing partnership with Patrick’s Music.

Memorial Day Poppies!

All around the battlefields of World War I in Belgium, France and beyond, brilliant red poppies grow even though surrounded by the death and destruction of war. They were then and now looked upon as a symbol of the fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The poppy movement was inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lieutenant and Colonel John McCrae in 1915. After WWI, the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion Family and distribution began in 1924. Thanks to the American legion Auxiliary, the poppy is distributed for donations on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to remember those who lost their lives serving their country. The funds collected are used to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans and assist active-duty personnel and their families with medical and financial needs. Please wear a poppy proudly and help support the American Legion Auxiliary in all the good work they do.

Need a New Read? Bookshop

Check out Friends of the Fresno County Public Library

The Fresno Community Concert Band would like to thank the following businesses, organizations and individuals for their generous support. This list includes regular donations plus the contribution part of season passes. If we have made errors in this list, please gently let us know.

Gifts are as of May 15, 2024

CONCERT SPONSORS

Jan & Bill Goyette – “Homegrown and Lovin’ It!”

The Horn Shop - “Stories of Christmas”

The Bishop Family – “Trains! Trains! Trains!”

Paul and Linda Heath – “St. Paddy’s Day Eve”

Elaine Sherry & Anita Morris – “On Broadway”

Robert & Irene Nielsen – “For Those We Honor”

STARS AND STRIPES

$1000 to $5000

Murphy Bank

Fresno City College

Patrick’s Music

Paul & Linda Heath

Donna Weppler

David & Barbara Archer

Robert & Irene Nielsen

The Bishop Family

The Horn Shop

BANDMASTER

$500 to $999

Anita Morris

Ann Leonardo Thaxter

Sydney & Emory Wishon

Bill & Jan Goyette

Elaine Sherry

John L. Perry Jr.

Robert Bird

BLAZING BRASS

$250 to $499

Bill & Kaye Mills

Eugene J. Richardson & Mary Ann Gamegan-Richardson

Jay Gaynor

Ron Dubois

Sally & Melvin Ladousier

Sandra Vasquez-Kipfer & Steven Kipfer

Steve & Maria Moore

William Podolsky

WHIRLING WOODWINDS

Barbara Jo Harding

Brian Kim

Carol Terrell

Chris Janzen

David E Hartford

David & Sandra Knudson

Deborah Fremming

Dennis Vasquez

Don & Linda DeVere

Donna Rosenstein

Dr. & Mrs. Jerry Schroer

Dr. and Mrs. Normal Sigel

Elin Thomas

Erna A Bonetto

Hank & Dory Van Loon

Ivonne Litman

J.C. Bert & Terry Johnson

Jeannette Forbes

Jim Brown

Joann Kalafut

Kay Pruett

Mac & Jean Wright

$100 to $249

Mary Depew

Mike & Cathy Barabe

Nancy Klassen

Paul & Lucia Martin

Peter & Janice Larion

Peter & Stacey Gessert

Raymond Angelillo

Rich & Mary Zaharini

Richard & Cindy Andrews

Richard & Elizabeth Stockton

Robert & Elizabeth Lewellen

Robin Robertson

Ruth Kallenberg

Sally & Melvin Ladousier

Stanley & Marilyn George

Stephen Cunha & Katie Wenthur

Steven & Beverly Forker

Suzanne Juarez

Teenie Matlock

Valerie Toews

Virginia Tavlan

Wes Qualls

PULSATING PERCUSSION

Alan and Christina Thorpe

Anna Marie Rivas

Alice Stewart

Andrew & Phyllis Camoroda

Bill & Azalea Carter

Bonnie Corcoran

Carol Just

Catherine Davis

Christine Barile

$50 to $99

Conrad & Leslie Gaunt

Dave & Camilla Colby

David & Cheri Keller

David Kimball

Dean Allen & Dan Hastings

Emil & Janice Sereda

Emily Poulsen

Faye & Jeff Nenning

Frank Gibson

Gene Harrison

Gordon & Diane Fake

Harriet Sigel

Jacque Arabian

James & Nancy Westgate

Janet Nash Mills

Jennifer Waite

Jenny Natali

Jim & Mary Vaughan

John & Elaine Schomaker

John & Maureen Hayes

Loretta King

Lyn Peters

Lynn & Carol Streit

Lynne Rodriguez & Lanny Larson

Marilyn McDonald

Mary Bou

Mary C King

Michael Kelley

Michael & Margaret Rench

Myrna Estes & Deanna Nimmo

Nancy Jane Mazi

Nancy Kast

Neal & Lynn Harris

Norm & Lee Clark

Norm Clark

Pat Duprey

Pat Westphal

Rebecca Slaton

Renate Ley

Ron & Linda Newton

Ron & Linda Roushall

Steven & Christine Ostoya

Sue Satterberg

Suzanne Juarez

Teresa Galloway

Thomas & Susan Catchpole

Tom & Barbara Westerfield

Toni Onkka

Verna Healey

SOUSA FRIENDS

$20 to $49

A. Steitz

Alice Armstrong

Alyce Fourchy

Belva Quattrin

Betty Higdon

Bill Nelson

Bob Sharp

Carol A Miller

Carol McMillen

Clint Horwitz & Joyce Fadenrecht

Darlene G Martin

David Rodrigues

Delores Kennedy & Frank Blankenship

Diane Merrill

Dolores Murphy

Elaine D Johnson

Elma Breiler

Galen Adam

Gary & Sherry Pederson

Geraldine Gerbrandt

Jan Propp

Jo Wilkerson

Joan Acomb

Joan Wieselquist

Judith Boro

Judith E. Goodmon

Judy Pavelich

Kay Johnston

Laura L Lindegren

Laurence Imperatrice

Mable Smith

Mareth & Robby Gunstream

Margaret Sanders

Marianne Bishop

Marjorie Jauron

Mavis Teale

Nancy Kerr

Nancy Tackitt

Nancy Waterhouse

Pat Adams

Patsy Agee

Paul & Janet Mills

Paul R Martin

Rebecca T. Bartsch-Bergthold

Renee Laquerriere

Robert Lawrence

Shauna Perenon

Sheila Perkins

Susan Harrington-Howard

Suzanne Smith

Sylvia Noyes

Toni Eames

Special Gifts

In Memory of LOIS BIRD by Robert Bird

In Memory of WARREN A. HEATH, JEANNE P. HEATH, DAVID R. HEATH, HAROLD L. GOLDSMITH, MARIAN H. BENNER, and JON H. HEATH by Paul and Linda Heath

In Memory of EIJI MARUKO and RANDY MORRIS by Betty Higdon

In Memory of BEATRICE FLEMING by Betty Snyder

In Memory of RANDY MORRIS by Mercedes Pacheco Bob Dean

In Memory of FORREST HELMICK by Teenie Matlock

You can donate to FCCB through

Simply go to our website and click the yellow DONATE button on the Support page.

www.fresnocommunityband.org It’s that easy!

Acknowledgments

Murphy Bank

Fresno City College

Patrick’s Music

Paul W. Heath

Julie Garcia – Marketing Manager

Jillian Parsons – Band Manager

Harry Siverly – Logistics

Julie Garcia – Website

Chris Lang – FCC Theatre Technical Director

Johnny Cano III – Theatre Technical Director

Delia Makel – FCC Graphics and Printing

Ben Lozano & Sara Woody – FCC Printing

Vincent Keenan – Shaghoian Concert Hall Technical Director

Tracy Lewellen – Stage Manager

Elaine Sherry – Band Librarian

Bill Goyette

D’Arcy Weinberger

Betty Snyder

Rebecca Snyder-Ray

Barbara Holdt

Jennifer Waite

Michael McLane

Cheryl Faulkner – Assistant Band Manager

Larry Huck – Conductor Emeritus

Robert Nielsen – Conductor Emeritus

Fresno Community Concert Band Board of Directors

Jan Goyette, President

Harry Siverly, Vice President

Lisa Poole, Secretary

Paul W. Heath, Treasurer

Elaine Sherry, Band Librarian

Joni Bishop

Phil Gessert

Elizabeth Habib

Dean Lloyd

Doug Mayer

Susan Mencarini

Matthew Roberts

Cynthia Tilghman

Ezra Wright

Bruce Weinberger, ex-officio

Julie Garcia, ex-officio

Jillian Parsons, ex-officio

Fresno Community Concert Band P.O. Box 25878 • Fresno, CA 93729 • (559) 440-9429

www.fresnocommunityband.org