Strongsville Community Band

 

Severance Hall Concert

Ken Mehalko, Director

Ken Mehalko has been bringing music to Strongsville for the past 50 years. During most of those years, 1961-1990, he served as the Director of Instrumental Music at Strongsville High School. The ensembles he directed-the marching band, concert band, orchestra and jazz ensemble received statewide and national recognition for their musical excellence at state contests, music conventions and parades such as the Orange Bowl Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. In 1990 he founded the Strongsville Community Band and two years later, the Strongsville City Jazz. He and his wife, Beverly created Puttin’ On The Glitz, a successful musical variety show in Strongsville for persons over 55 years of age. Ken has also served as a music educator in Chile for the Ohio Arts Council as a guest of the Chilean Ministry of Culture on five different occasions. He recently retired as Director of Athletic Bands at Baldwin-Wallace College. He graduated from Baldwin –Wallace College in 1961 with a degree in music education and holds a master of arts degree from Case Western Reserve University. He is a member of the Strongsville Rotary Club, performs with the TOPS Swing Band, is a past member if the Strongsville Education Foundation and has been very active in the Ohio Music Education where he held various offices over the years. His many honors and awards include: The Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory Alumni Achievement Award; Baldwin-Wallace College Outstanding Educator Award; Strongsville High School Distinguished Alumni Award as a former teacher and a Medical Mutual Of Ohio Outstanding Senior Volunteer Honorable Mention Award for his work with the “Glitz”. He lives in Strongsville with his wife, Beverly Wehr.

Severance Hall photo courtesy of Clifford Norton Studio. www.cliffordnorton.com

Loras

Loras John Schissel, Special Guest Director

Loras John Schissel is the music director and conductor of both the Virginia Grand Military Band and the Cleveland Orchestra’s Blossom Festival Band, two of the finest bands of their type in the world.  He also guest directed the Cleveland Orchestra this summer at Blossom Music Center and also at Public Square for the special 4th of July Week concert. Mr. Schissel has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, conducting orchestras, bands, and choral ensembles in a broad range of musical styles and varied programs.
 
As a composer and orchestrator, Mr. Schissel has created an extensive catalogue of over 400 works for orchestra, symphonic wind band, and jazz ensemble.  His original musical score for the Bill Moyers PBS special: America’s First River, The Hudson, televised in 2002, received extensive coverage and acclaim.  As a recording artist, Mr. Schissel has amassed a large discography in a wide variety of ensembles and musical genres.  The Blossom Festival “Live” Broadcasts are available, and his recordings with the Virginia Grand Military Band have won numerous awards, including the Suddler Scroll for outstanding musical excellence.

In honor of September 11th, the Virginia Grand Military Band was invited to play a special memorial concert in the Library of Congress’ historic Coolidge Auditorium.  This was the first  wind band to be so honored.

Mr Schissel has appeared in the award-winning PBS television documentary If You Knew Sousa for The American Experience series, as well as on Ben Wattenberg’s Think Tank.  He continues to serve as commentator on the Voice of America and for the U. S. Information Service.  Mr. Schissel is an honorary member of the prestigious Circumnavigators Club and an honorary conductor of the historic Ringgold Band (the last band conducted by John Philip Sousa).  Mr. Schissel has recently been recognized and honored with induction and membership in the American Bandmasters Association.


Strongsville City Jazz (April 29 & May 23, 2012 concerts added, see below)

The Strongsville City jazz is one of the most versatile dance bands in the Cleveland area, playing everything from jazz classics to swing music from the big band era. The fine musicians who make up the band bring a variety of musical experience to their performances that include entertaining at Playhouse Square, The Front Row Theater, Kenley Players, and The Coliseum. Some members of the band have performed with some well-known ensembles, including The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Warren Covington, Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, and Jimmy Dorsey big bands and The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. The band performs during the summer as part of the Strongsville Community Band Summer Concerts and in other area communities. During the winter the band has been featured at a number of Cleveland area high school jazz festivals and on occasion has played for some dances.

Strongsville City Jazz at Masonic Temple Auditorium photo courtesy of owner, Don Emery.



Vocalist Kim Wasielewski complements the band with her refreshing vocal renditions of many pop favorites. Kim, a dance instructor and yoga teacher, has been singing with the band for a number of years.



The Strongsville City Jazz is co-directed by Ken Mehalko and James Wonnacott. Ken founded the band in 1992. He is retired from the Strongsville City Schools where he successfully directed the high school band for 29 years. Presently he directs the Strongsville Community Band, and is the former Director of Athletic Bands at Baldwin Wallace College.

James Wonnacott is also a graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College. He retired from the Strongsville City Schools in 1996 where he had success teaching at Center Junior High School. As a freelance musician and arranger he has performed for many prominent bands and entertainers, including The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and has toured with singer Al Martino. On June 27, 2011 Jim performed with the Jimm Dorsey Orchestra, featuring the Pied Pipers at Lake Chautauqua, New York. He is the founder and former Musical Director of the Baldwin-Wallace College Alumni Jazz Orchestra. Jim received the 2009 B-W Conservatory Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of his accomplishments as a performer and educator in the Cleveland area and his dedication to the Alumni Jazz Orchestra and was awarded the B-W Alumni Association Merit Award in May, 2011.


Support the Band - become a patron

The 18th season of the Strongsville Community Band will open with a concert on the Commons on Friday, June 8th. Join your neighbors and Strongsville businesses by supporting the Band with a tax-deductible donation. In addition to this tax incentive, your name will appear in the band programs which are distributed at each summer concert.

Give a gift to your community and yourself by joining one of our “ensembles” this year. The donation levels are:

$25-$49 Woodwind Ensemble
$50-$99 Brass Ensemble
$100-$299 Percussion Ensemble
$300-$499 Jazz Ensemble
$500+ Director’s Circle

Checks may be sent to:
Karen Muskoff, Treasurer
20771 Oak Trail Court
Strongsville, OH 44136


History of the Band

The Strongsville Community Band was founded in 1990 by director Ken Mehalko. The band received its initial financial support from the Strongsville Women’s League. It now has a board of directors who set policies and raise and manage monies to support the band’s activities. The City of Strongsville provides the performance and rehearsal areas.

The Strongsville Community Band performs six outdoor concerts during the summer months on the Strongsville Commons. Also scheduled in the Cultural Center of the Ehrnfelt Recreation and Senior Center are a Christmas Concert, a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert.

Outstanding musicians from all walks of life, including students, professionals and retirees join together in this community band because of their love for making music. The ensemble programs a variety of musical styles including marches, light classics and “pop” selections and other contemporary literature from the concert band repertoire. The band has also performed at other communities in the area including The Lorain Palace Theater with the Patriots Concert Band and at Lakeland Community College with the Lakeland Civic Band and two performances at Severance Hall, the home of The Cleveland Orchestra. Loras John Schissel, Dr. Frederick Fennell, Dr. Howard Meeker and Dr. Gary Ciepluch are but a few of the guest directors who have conducted the band in concert.


Upcoming Concerts


2011 - 2012 Concert Season

Sunday, Dec. 11 at the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 29 at Strongsville Lutheran Church at 3:00 p.m. Strongsville City Jazz. Benefit concert for youth mission trip.
Sunday, May 20 at the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 23 (Senior Day) at the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center from 1-2 p.m. Strongsville City Jazz Big Band.

Summer 2012 Concerts

Friday, June 15
Friday, June 29
Sunday, July 1 at the Hudson Bandstand at 6:00 p.m. (Just added)
Friday, July 6
Friday, July 27
Sunday, July 29 at Lakeside at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 3 Strongsville City Jazz Big Band
Friday, Aug. 10
Friday, Aug. 17


Rehearsal Schedule

All rehearsals will be in the Senior Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

2012
Jan. 10, 24
Feb. 7, 14, 28
March 6
April 17
May 1, 15, 17


Board of Directors

Ken Mehalko, Director
Ellen Dublo, President
Karen Muskoff, Treasurer
Sandy Dublo

Bea Hovanec
Kathy Lane
John McDermott
Renee McDermott

Terry Muskoff
Betty Rahm
Richard Smith
Ann Wollett

Strongsville Community Band Personnel

PICCOLO
Carolyn Ermlick, Office Manager
Laurie Furtado, Database Administrator

FLUTE
Carolyn Ermlick, Office Manager
Laurie Furtado, Database Administrator
Ellen Hansen-Ellis, B-W Con Admin. Asst.
Alexandra Craciun, Music Therapy Student
Sara Kennedy, Wildlife Research Co-ord.
Leslie Meadows, Music Therapist
Renee McDermott, Airline Sales Manager
Marilyn Zoller, Retired Music Teacher

OBOE
Sue Keserich, Barberton Music Teacher
Joy A. Slonaker, RISC Manager

ENGLISH HORN
Sue Keserich, Barberton Music Teacher

BASSOON
Carolyn Hupalowsky, Music Teacher
Jim Husak, Retired
Alison Whitney, Business Analyst

Eb CLARINET
Ann Marie Fuhrmann, Music Teacher

Bb CLARINET
Susan Capuder, CPA
Kathy DeBlasi, Music Teacher
Beth Dier
Gayle Kish, CSU Music Dept.
Ann Marie Fuhrmann, Music Teacher
Jody Halley
Marty Kapinski, Editor
Ron Nelson, Database Analyst
Joe Rongone, Ins. Claims Supervisor
Tom Seese, Retired


BASS CLARINET
Elaine Kubis, Teacher
Trudge, B-W Graduate Student

ALTO SAXOPHONE
Jamie De Pould, Photographer
Dick Millard, Retired Music Teacher

TENOR SAXOPHONE
Scott Halley, Engineer

BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Glenn Bernasek, Retired Tech. & USAR

 


PIANO
Lucy Mercer, Retired Music Teacher


TRUMPET
Suzi Behm, Loss Prevention Mgr.
Carolyn Chwalek, Music Therapist
Michael Geschke, Retired
Peter Hoekje, B-W Physics Professor
Ryan Harris, B-W Music Student
James Heinrich, Pres-Instrumentors, Inc.
Mark Hentosh, Sotware Developer
Doug Painting, Business Owner
Reinhold Toerek, Engineer
James Wonnacott, Retired Music Teacher

FRENCH HORN
Ingrid Askenbeck, Retired Psychotherapist
Nancy Bolterstein, Administrative Assistant
Linda Gardner, Church Organist, Ret. Music Teacher
James Mercer, Retired Music Teacher
Ann Painting, Substitute Teacher
Isabel Wright

TROMBONE
David Betts, Music Teacher
Peter Dinin, Database Administrator
Dave Hartman, Director of Safety
Ryan Heinrich, Computer Programer
Mike Leone, Music Teacher
Kevin Wenner, Lab Technician

EUPHONIUM
Chris Donze, Music Publisher
Bryan Hrehocik, Music Teacher
Bill Kelly, Chemist

TUBA
Karl Beckman, Engineer
Randy Border, B-W Dir. of Athletic Bands
Jim Reynolds, Cleve. Orch. Dev. Operations

PERCUSSION
Clarence Barber, Composer
Dan Barcy, CEO SavingMinutes
Dr. Rosario Cambria, Interpreter
William Currier, Retired Principal
Darryl Mika, Computer Programmer
Nick Puin, Retired Music Teacher

AUDIO TECHNICIAN-ANNOUNCER
Jon Marshall, Retired Strongsville Teacher

 

 


Events Calendar

NEWThe Strongsville City Jazz - Sunday, April 29 at the Strongsville Lutheran Church at 3:00 p.m. Benefit concert.
The Strongsville City Jazz - Wednesday, May 23 at the Ehrnfelt Senior Center from 1-2 p.m. for Senior Day.
The Community Band will perform at the Hudson Bandstand on Sunday, July 1st from 6-7 p.m.


The band will perform at Lakeside, Ohio on Sunday, July 29, 2012.


Excerpts from previous performances in mp3 file format. Click on track to play.

From the June 24, 2010 performance at B-W:
Irish Tune and Shepherd's Hey - Percy Grainger
Porgy and Bess Selections -
Gershwin, arr. by Robert Russell Bennett

__________________________________________________

Italian in Algiers - G. Rossini, arr. by Calliet
Scottish Dances, 1st movement - Malcom Arnold, arr. by Paynter
Scottish Dances, 2nd movement - Malcom Arnold, arr. by Paynter
Caribbean Hideaway - James Barnes. David Kay, saxophone solo; James Wonnacott, trumpet solo.
Wedding Dance - Jacques Press


Band Member Info
NEWFeb. 16 rehearsal has been changed to Feb. 14.
April 29 (Sun) - Strongsville City Jazz at Strongsville Lutheran Church at 3:00 p.m. for a benefit concert.
May 23 (Wed) - Strongsville City Jazz at the Ehrnfelt Senior Center from 1-2 p.m. for Senior Day.


Summer concert schedule is posted.
The band will perform at Lakeside, Ohio on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Check it out - www.lakesideohio.com


visitors since May 10, 2007

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