Bloomington Community Band History

The Bloomington Community Band has been in existence with some interruptions since the 19th century.  There is some evidence that it even pre-dates the first Indiana University band.  The present band was started with a grant from the Indiana Arts Commission under Bloomington JayCees sponsorship in 1978.  For several years, the band rehearsed in the JayCees building.

The band has played at many civic events in Bloomington.  For example, each Fourth of July, the band provides entertainment on the courthouse square prior to the start of the parade.

Our first director was IU School of Music Professor Emeritus Newell Long.  Newell passed away January 4, 1999 at the age of 93.  Without him, it is very doubtful that the band would have survived its early years.  It has often been said that Newell was the heart of the band.  Another Bloomington music educator, Geneva Phillips, was assistant director for a period of time, followed by Bert Langdon, a retired high school band director from New Castle.  The current director of the band is Tim Moore, and the associate director is Joe Car.

Members in Photo

1. Kelly Johnson	clarinet	9. Joie Canada	clarinet	18. Brian Boyer	percussion	27. Debbie Moore	flute
2. Michelle Starrs	clarinet	10. Phyllis Solnzeff	tenor sax	19. Jody Weseman	oboe	28. Cindy Lonnberg	flute
3. Bob Watt	trumpet	11. Bradley Talbott	clarinet	20. Newell Long	conductor	29. Harry Cook	bass
4. Gerald Stout	clarinet	12. Tim Moore	conductor	21. Sherry Olson	baritone saxophone	30. Peter Bogdanoff	bass trombone
5. Melissa Bolcar	trumpet	13. Jim Kirkman	trumpet	22. Damaris Lux	trumpet	31. Phil Sloffer	bass
6. Richard Hiatt	clarinet	14. Betty McDonald	percussion	23. Mary Ann Bough	flute	32. Linda Cobb	flute
7. Hilary Eppley	bass clarinet	15. Ronald Bukoff	oboe	24. Betty Treisback	horn	33. Greg Peters	trombone
8. Joe Car	trumpet	16. Phil Stradling	alto saxophone	25. Doug McKinney	baritone	34. Gary Wiggins	trombone
		17. Dennis (Duke) Turner	trumpet	26. Al Olson	bass

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