THE OTHER PROFESSIONAL WIND SYMPHONY…. RIGHT HERE IN OHIO!…. THE PACKARD BAND SHAWN REYNOLDS, TRIAD EDITOR, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THOMAS A. GROTH

The Other Professional Wind Symphony…. Right Here In Ohio!…. The Packard Band

Shawn Reynolds, TRIAD Editor, with the assistance of Thomas A. Groth

Musicians spend years perfecting the art of playing their instruments or singing music at a high level in their college music degree. Upon graduation, some never touch their instruments in a wind ensemble or concert band situation again due to the demands of the teaching profession, or simply the lack of high-level performance opportunities beyond the college campus. Many winds and percussionists find themselves not having an outlet to continually further their performance skills so that their teaching skills may also improve. This may lead to complacency, not having a rewarding musical outlet as family life and teaching life take over our time. That thrill of performing in a high-level ensemble that we worked hard to perfect during our degree disappears in our professional years.

In the Northeast corner of the state is a gem that provides many instrumental musicians with the opportunity to play in a professional wind ensemble while still going about their daily lives in their everyday careers. Even better, these musicians are paid to play in this group! Many are current or returned music educators, but many have varied other careers both in and out of music. Most have at least one music degree, but many have two or three music degrees. Regardless, this is one of the few professional wind ensemble/concert bands where members are auditioned and paid to play in the ensemble. This amazing band is known as the W.D. Packard Band of Warren, Ohio. The home of the band, the W.D. Packard Music Hall, is nestled on the outskirts of Warren right in the middle of OMEA District 5.

This group of 52 professional instrumentalists in and around Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania is a unique opportunity for these musicians, who spent years perfecting and being passionate about playing high level band literature, to provide monthly (and sometimes more!) high level musical performances of various styles of music.

School of Music

Photo Dale Dong

• Outstanding programs, ensembles, and facilities • Numerous performance opportunities • Master classes and residencies by acclaimed guest artists • Affordable tuition and generous scholarships • Internationally renowned faculty-musicians

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

• Music Education • Theory/Composition • Performance • Jazz Studies • Accompanying

Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A. in Music) Bachelor of Arts in Music with Business Cognate

Master of Music (M.M.)

The University of Akron School of Music Dr. Marc Reed, Director 330-972-7590 • music@uakron.edu www.uakron.edu/music

Free, fun, and informative for high school students and parents.

• Attend classes, lessons, and rehearsals • Learn about the application and audition process • Tour campus • Enjoy lunch at Rob’s Café • Meet the School of Music faculty and students

To register for Zip to UA Music Day, visit www.uakron.edu/music or email music@uakron.edu.

Collage 2022

Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St.

Experience the best of UA’s School of Music in one exciting, non-stop event. Part of the School of Music’s Kulas Concert Series. Visit www.uakron.edu/music for details.

51st Annual Ohio Band Directors Conference

Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 UA Student Union Ballroom

Medina High School Symphony Band, Hoover High School Symphonic Winds, OBDC Honor Bands, and UA’s Concert Band, Symphony Band and Wind Symphony. Guest composer Steven Bryant. Guest conductor Verena Mosenbichler-Bryant, Associate Professor of Practice at Duke University.

Deadline for OBDC Honor Band applications is Monday, October 17. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu/bands.

42nd Annual TubaChristmas

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 noon and 2:30 p.m. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St.

Scholarship Audition Days

• Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 • Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 • Friday, March 3, 2023 Virtual auditions by appointment. Sign up online at www.uakron.edu/music.

For more information: 330-972-8301 music@uakron.edu www.uakron.edu/music

FRANK COSENZA, CO-PRINCIPAL TRUMPET & FORMER DIRECTOR OF BANDS AT WEST GEAUGA SCHOOLS:

“The experience of the Packard Band is the band itself. No other band funded through an endowment is in the area, to my knowledge. Since I joined the band, the level of musicianship has improved to a first-class organization. Very-Very fine musicians who are dedicated to take playing in the band seriously. There is also a camaraderie that goes along with band members. After a successful concert, there is a level of satisfaction by all for the elixir of music making. Thomas Groth is the man responsible for the improvement in the band and for the daily administration of the group. He has done a professional job! It is also quite nice to have a variety of conductors grace our stage. Having Arnold Gabriel conduct the group was certainly a highlight for me! Also, the fact that the band is a steady ‘gig’ is quite nice along with covering so many standard pieces of the concert band medium, in addition to new works written specifically for band.” What is even more astonishing is that the band is funded fully by an endowment left by William Doud Packard in his will.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF W.D. PACKARD AND THE ENDOWMENT OF HIS BAND:

William Doud Packard was a man with a dream when it came to music. He loved marches, band music, military music and the musicians who performed the music. He also loved the city of Warren. When he wrote his will in 1920, three years before his death, Packard made sure that a dream of keeping music alive in Warren would come true after he had passed on. Now, many years later, that dream has become an important part of the cultural and entertainment life of the Warren area.

In his will, Packard designated that funds would be set aside in a trust to build a music hall and finance the establishment of a band to play in it for the “edification and entertainment of the people of Warren”. The city of Warren became beneficiary after Katherine Packard, W.D. Packard’s wife, died in 1940. Costs had increased from the 1920’s when the will was written and the $150,000 allocated for the hall was hardly adequate in the 1950’s to build the hall Packard had envisioned. 1.4 million was used from the trust to build the W.D. Packard Music Hall with the remainder of the income from the trust to be used to maintain the band.

The city of Warren, very early in her history became a center for brass bands, band music and had in residence, several talented men in the field of music. From his boyhood home on Courthouse Square, young “Will” Packard was able to enjoy the varied sounds of music at the Opera House, the nearby Dana School of Music, and the outdoor concerts from the Park’s ornate central bandstand.

Today, the Packard Music Hall is the center of cultural and entertainment programs in the Warren area and averages over 200,000 in attendance each year. It is the site of a wide variety of events including ballet, children’s programming, theater, corporate meetings, high school graduations, dance recitals, dances, and of course, the free monthly Packard Band Concerts. The Hall has also been used annually by organizations such as the Warren Civic Music Association, Trumbull Town Hall Lecture Series, The Warren Barbershoppers, The American Association of University Women, among others.

BECKY BICKEL, PRINCIPAL OBOIST OF THE

BAND & RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS IN THE MAPLEWOOD SCHOOLS:

“I think the one unique thing that the Packard Band brings to my musical experience is the support from all of the other members of the Packard Band. I really appreciate how every member is rooting for each other to perform well. We are like a family-a lot of us went to school together at YSU’s Dana School of Music. I also greatly appreciate Shawn Reynolds. It’s wonderful how I can talk to another oboist about reeds and life, at every concert.

In the past - every concert that Robert Fleming conducted was special. He was such a fine teacher and conductor! We played so much great band literature! Also, it was so exciting to be one of the first women to conduct the Packard Band on the March Madness Concert.”

Bickel is also a member of the Bravura Woodwind Quintet, an independent ensemble within the The Packard Band.

“The Bravura Woodwind Quintet was a featured soloist in February 2020 and was featured again in September 2022 with the band. The group plays special music in various venues around the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys (Western PA).”

The band is currently led by principal conductor Dr. Stephen L. Gage. Gage is most recently retired Director of Bands from Youngstown State University, and current acting director of bands at Indiana State University. The band also has list of talented and distinguished visiting conductors including Dr. Frank Tracz (Kansas State University), Dr. Galen Karriker (University of Akron) and Dr. Jeffrey Gershman (College Wooster) and Loras Schissel, internationally acclaimed conductor. The band’s long-time conductor emeriti include Robert Fleming and Donald W. Byo, among others.

Dr. Stephen L. Gage

The band’s programming is diverse and is modeled after the concert programming of the Sousa Band, but with a modern take. Any given concert may include Irving Berlin tributes, Broadway Showstoppers, and grade 5 wind-ensemble masterpieces, big band swing charts, vocal or instrumental soloists, and of course, patriotic numbers all on the same concert. The band gets their music one month in advance, through the efforts of its librarian Jim Jackson.

JIM JACKSON, RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS IN HOWLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS; TROMBONIST; BAND LIBRARIAN:

“Being able to continue performing with a quality organization and quality players in both the concert band and the big band is an incredible opportunity. Additionally, seeing the next generation of musicians embrace the goals and standards of the W.D. Packard Band is exciting.

I always enjoy performing the old ‘war-horse’ orchestral transcriptions, as well as getting to experience the performances with so many find musicians, conductors, and soloists. The concert with Col. Arnold Gabriel was something I never thought would be possible. Finally, I always appreciate that I was brought into the band under my college conductor Robert Fleming…this means a lot to me!”

Each October the band performs its annual anniversary concert featuring works that have been composed specifically for the band over the years by composers such as Ryan Nowlin, Jerry Ascione, Charles “Charlie” Sayre, Dr. John Petrone, William Pruyn, Dr. Brett Miller, Dr. David Morgan, to name a few. Additionally, a highlight for many of the band members is the November concert, conducted each year by renowned historian and conductor Loras John Schissel.

TOM BRUCOLI,

RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS FROM CHAMPION HIGH SCHOOL & BAND STAFF:

“Performing in the W. D. Packard Band gives the musicians an opportunity to be an “individual player” in a fine instrumental ensemble. This is refreshing, because most of our musical experiences are spent

being responsible for an entire ensemble as a conductor. In addition, we are given the opportunity to perform some of the finest band literature ever written. Watching and listening to each performer is a tremendous gift. The Packard Band is truly a family, and all of us share the privilege of witnessing the growth and maturity of the ensemble members and conductors.

I have been a member of the Packard Band for over thirty-five years. During that time, we have had numerous profound soloists and guest conductors. One of my fondest memories was the solo performance by my college trombone professor Dr. Vern L. Kagarice. He magnificently performed an iconic solo written by Alexandre Guilmant, titled “Morceau Symphonique”.

It is a great honor to be a member of this ensemble, and we must graciously thank William Doud Packard for his gift to the community of Warren. We also must thank the band executive director’s and managers for this continuing legacy and musical opportunity.”

The concert band performs one free concert every month from September through May, which is preceded by one hour and a half long rehearsal. Members receive their music for each concert one month in advance to prepare the literature for that themed concert. During the summer months the band performs two concerts per month on an outdoor stage attached to the concert hall. Its audience has a wonderful view of the outside performance shell on a sprawling lawn that slopes gently giving the audience a wonderful view of the band during their performance. It is the perfect place to listen to a summer concert series with the family while having a snack or picnic accompanied by amazing band music.

NANCY MOORE,

CLARINET & RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS IN THE HOWLAND SCHOOLS:

The Packard Band gives me the experience of playing with other advanced musicians of various age levels. I tried to think how I can describe it to a non-musician…. What if the best English teachers and professors got together and collectively wrote poetry? Or, what if art teachers, professors, and professional painters did a combined mural? I am a better, more effective teacher because I hear the band from the inside out. Playing is so different than conducting. We must share control and work together to make the notes on the page come alive for the audience.

My most memorable concert was when Col. Arnold Gabriel conducted the Packard Band. He had every score detail memorized. We were playing a chorale section within a larger piece. He had every musician’s eye and soul. The result was so beautiful that tears ran down my cheeks as we played. I will never ever forget that sound or Col. Gabriel!

LESLIE CORE,

TROMBONE & MUSIC TEACHER IN THE MINERAL RIDGE LOCAL SCHOOLS:

“While studying for my master’s degree, the then personnel director of the W.D. Packard band, Adone Calderone stood behind me while playing in the wind ensemble one day. He asked me if he could get my resume and contact information in order to sub with The Packard Band. I had attended many Packard Band concerts for many years. After subbing for several years, an opening came up and I auditioned and was awarded the position. I love playing in the band for many reasons. Many of my musical colleagues play in the band but more so, during breaks we can discuss things we are doing in our classrooms which help me to become a better teacher!

During our concerts there is something magical that happens when listening to other musicians play. We feed off one another and create musical emotions that are unlike any other situation I have every experienced. The musicianship in the band makes me want to be the best musician I can be.

One of my favorite moments with the band was our holiday extravaganza several years ago. Our executive director Thomas Groth is very in tune with the music that resonates with the younger generation for our children’s concerts. A young lady was singing the popular “Let It go” from Frozen, complete with costume and choreography. The auditorium, filled with children between the ages of 5-12 was a buzz and spontaneously erupted in singing along with the young lady singing on stage. The joy of all of those little voices singing in unison completely filled my heart!”

Each December the band performs a holiday spectacular featuring local competitive dance studios, local school music groups, soloists, other special guests, and

of course Santa and Mrs. Clause. It is the band’s children’s outreach concerts. The band performs two fully sold-out performances of 1800+ students each, on a Friday in early December. The amazing experience is often one of the bandmembers fondest of memories in performing with the band.

ANDREA LEWIS, FLUTE & BAND DIRECTOR IN THE HUBBARD LOCAL SCHOOLS:

“I love playing in the Packard Band because of the conductors and musicians we get to work with regularly. You do not realize how talented your musical colleagues are until you sit next to them and play with them in the band. I have learned so much from playing in the band. I strive to live up to their expertise and become a better musician myself and try to pass this onto my students as well!”

One of Lewis’s most magical memories is also of the same concert mentioned above where 1800+ children began singing “Let It Go” in unison with a vocalist dressed as Elsa during our children’s holiday concerts.

BOB ANTONUCCI, TUBA, BAND DIRECTOR IN THE LOWELLVILLE SCHOOLS, & TUBA PROFESSOR AT WESTMINSTER COLLEGE (PA):

“The Packard Band provides a unique opportunity to regularly perform band music at a very high level. A bonus is continuing to make music with your friends in the process! It serves us a reminder of why I pursued a career in music. Working under a variety of conductors is like a masterclass in rehearsal techniques and programming every month! The concerts are also a wonderful stress-release, good for the mind, body, and soul. The W.D. Packard created an outstanding legacy with his gift to the people of Warren and the surrounding area.”

Each October the band performs its annual anniversary concert featuring works that have been composed specifically for the band over the years by composers such as Ryan Nowlin, Jerry Ascione, Charles “Charlie” Sayre, Dr. John Petrone, William Pruyn, Dr. Brett Miller, Dr. David Morgan, to name a few. Additionally, a highlight for many of the band members is the November concert, conducted each year by renowned historian and conductor Loras John Schissel.

Even more unique is that the concert band is not the only ensemble funded by the W.D. Packard Trust. In addition to the concert band are The Packard Dixieland band and “The Big Band Sound of Packard” (a fully staffed jazz big-band) also performing concerts in and around the W.D. Packard complex and beyond.

The “Big Band Sound of Packard” is conducted by band member and tenor saxophone soloist Daniel Carioti, who is a retired band director from the Brookfield Local Schools and the Warren City Schools. The Big Band Sound performs concerts, dances, and often features talented vocal soloists such as Helen Welch, and Tania Grubbs a Dana School of Music graduate. Each October “The Big Band Sound” performs a Sweetest Day performance complete with dancing for audience members. In addition, a massive Valentine’s Day Celebration is put on The Big Band Sound, also including dancing and refreshments for the audience. The “Big Band Sound of Packard” also hosts a big band jazz festival for local high school jazz ensembles to celebrate jazz appreciation month each year. All concerts are listed on the main website (listed below).

The Packard Dixieland band also performs throughout each summer and as requested at various locations around the area. Perhaps one of the highlights for the Dixieland are its annual performances at the Packard Car Museum, which is on the same property as The W.D. Packard Hall. This incredible museum features vehicles by W.D. Packard himself and has a rotating display of vintage and antique cars. Packard Dixieland band ushers in each Lenten Season with its annual Mardi Gras at the Museum, held at the National Packard Museum on Fat Tuesday, each year.

BILL FORRESTER, TROMBONE & RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS FROM HUBBARD LOCAL SCHOOLS:

“For me, playing in The Packard band for almost 40 years has given me the unique opportunity to play with so many outstanding musicians and play under the leadership of so many great band conductors. The most memorable concerts for me were those led by my college band director, Robert Fleming…but especially his July 4 spectacular concerts!”

SHAWN REYNOLDS,

2ND

OBOE/ENGLISH HORN, 5-12 BANDS IN THE HOWLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS & PROFESSOR OF OBOE AT

YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY:

“I guess I am what is considered the next generation of musicians, even though I am of similar age to most of my colleagues in the band. Executive director Thomas Groth gave me several opportunities to sub with the band, and subsequently I was lucky to win the audition to be play in the band permanently. I am so privileged to be able to once again play under the baton of one of my mentors and my college band director Dr. Stephen Gage, as well as so many other talented and insightful conductors. One of my fondest memories was being asked to solo with the band on Copland’s “Quiet City” for trumpet and English horn. It was an ethereal experience of which words cannot describe! Performing such an amazing piece under Dr. Gage’s baton and with my amazing musician colleagues was an honor! I am lucky to be able to play monthly in this magnificent ensemble with such incredible musicians and more importantly, my amazing colleagues and friends! Playing in this band truly makes me a better teacher because the band plays all levels of literature. Playing this varied literature allows me to be able to find great band works that I can then perform with my own middle and high school bands.

W.D. Packard Music Hall has a seating capacity of 2,200 that also includes small meeting rooms, a kitchen, and dressing rooms. The Packard Will provided nothing for maintenance, so annual operating costs are covered by hall rentals and city subsidies. The hall officially opened on October 15, 1955. Because of W.D. Packard’s generosity, Warren area residents can appreciate today a heritage that dates back to the 1800’s when town bands were a part of American life. W.D. Packard took pride in this aspect of American Heritage and his dream lives on many years after his will was written and the first musical notes were sounded in the hall named after him, The W.D. Packard Music Hall, by his band, The Packard Band.

No group of this magnitude can function without an executive director to oversee the plethora of events and meticulous planning and programming that must occur throughout the year. The current executive director is Mr. Thomas Groth, retired director of bands in the Boardman Schools. All operations of the band, personnel, as well as management of the W.D. Packard Trust are overseen by this amazing man, musician, teacher, and friend to many, Thomas Groth. In conjunction with The Packard Park Board of Trustees and the city of Warren, Mr. Groth sees to it that W.D. Packard’s dream remains a reality and continues, based on his will.

BECKY BICKEL STATES:

“Thomas Groth is our outstanding band manager and is very creative in programming meaningful and inspiring music for our concerts. I have so many wonderful memories of playing patriotic music and music honoring our veterans!”

Thomas Groth THOMAS GROTH,

THE W.D. PACKARD BAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FORMER BARITONE SAXOPHONE

CHAIR, & RETIRED DIRECTOR OF BANDS

BOARDMAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL:

“I have been a member of The Packard Band for 63 years since auditioning into the clarinet section my freshman year of college. I switched to saxophone as an opening came available. The band has come a long way since those years, and I am proud to have been a member and now the executive director. I was extremely honored to be named the executive director. I feel a tremendous responsibility to Mr. Packard’s legacy making sure The Packard Band continues to perform as he wanted…free concerts for the edification and entertainment of the people of Warren, Ohio…. and to present the very best in concert band literature to all audiences!”

In an era when we are seeing almost daily cuts to music education, large shortages in educators, specifically music educators, and constant cutting of the arts in our society due to standardized testing and a focus on STEAM, The W.D. Packard band provides an amazing realm of possibilities. It is a true gift that W.D. Packard has left to the people of Northeast Ohio in his funding of an incredibly talented professional band, with paid musicians, to entertain its audiences for free! This is a truly magnificent gem in the middle of Trumbull County featuring some of the finest music teachers and musicians in NE Ohio and Western PA. Innovative ideas and featured artists are always being implemented and new literature is always being added. Perhaps even more important is that the band is a catalyst for what music education can and should be for everyone – an enjoyable experience; an aural bath of the best and most amazing music they can hear, played by professional musicians who are passionate about sharing their love of music and of music education as they play music! This group should be on your bucket list of experiences in the state of Ohio. You can find all concerts presented by all groups on the band website at www.wdpackardband.com. You owe it to yourself to make it a point to visit The W.D. Packard Music Hall to experience the amazing gift this group has to offer your ears and please….bring a friend!