Strongsville City Jazz
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 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.
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 holds degrees in music from Baldwin-Wallace College and Case-Western Reserve University. 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 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 most recently toured with singer Al Martino. He is founder and director of the Baldwin-Wallace College Alumni Jazz Orchestra.
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:
Bev Wells, Treasurer
15214 High Point
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
2007-2008 Concert Season
Friday, June 13, 2008 on the Commons ( Gazebo) at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, June 27 , 2008 on the Commons ( Gazebo)
Sunday, July 6 at the Historical Society at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, July 25 in the Sr. Center at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 1 Strongsville City Jazz On the Commons ( Gazebo) at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 8 On the Commons ( Gazebo) at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, August 15 On the Commons ( Gazebo) at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 at the Metropark Chalet for the Strongsville Arts Fest.
Sunday, December 14, 2008 in the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009
in the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 3, 2009 in the Ehrnfelt Sr. Center at 3:00 p.m.
Summer Concert Rain Postponements
In case of rain, concerts will be postponed to Sunday, August 24 at 7:00 PM.
Rehearsal Schedule
All rehearsals are in the Ehrnfelt Senior Center.
Mon. June 9, 7:30 PM
Wed. June 11, 7:00 PM
Mon. June 23, 7:30 PM
Wed. June 25, 7:00 PM
Mon. June 30, 7:30 PM
Wed. July 2, 7:00 PM
Mon. July 21, 7:30 PM
Wed. July 23, 7:00 PM
Mon. Aug. 4, 7:30 PM
Wed. Aug. 6, 7:00 PM
Mon. Aug. 11, 7:30 PM
Thur. Aug. 14, 7:00 PM - changed from Wed 8/13
Board of Directors
Ken Mehalko, Director
Ellen Dublo, President
Beverly Wells, Treasurer
Linda Dettmer
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Sandy Dublo
Bea Hovanec
Kathy Lane
John McDermott
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Renee McDermott
Betty Rahm
Richard Smith
Ann Wollett
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Strongsville Community Band Personnel
PICCOLO
Carolyn Ermlick, Office Manager
Laurie Furtado, Database Administrator
FLUTE
Marianne Canario, Corporate Trainer
Alexandra Craciun, Music Thearapist
Kate Cregan, Music Teacher
Carolyn Ermlick, Office Manager
Laurie Furtado, Database Administrator
Renee McDermott, Airline Sales Manager
Marilyn Zoller, Retired Music Teacher
OBOE
Joy A. Slonaker, RISC Manager
Janet Williams, Parma Music Teacher
BASSOON
Carol Boyd, Retired Music Teacher
Marcia Casciere, Music Teacher
Alison Whitney, Business Analyst
Bb CLARINET
Susan Capuder, CPA
Dawn Erman
Ann Marie Fuhrmann, Music Teacher
Laura Gaba, Albion MS Teacher
Jodi Halley
Marty Kapinski, Editor
Beverly Miller, Parma Music Teacher
Carol Pehotsky, Registered Nurse
Joe Rongone, Ins. Claims Supervisor
Tom Seese, Safety Director
Mike Sherwood, CPA, CFE
Sarah Slavik, Computer Programer
BASS CLARINET
Carol Lecian, Legal Secretary,
(Band Librarian)
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Dick Millard, Retired Music Teacher
Jack Thetgyi, Support Officer
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Scott Halley, Engineer
Ron Nelson, Database Analyst
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Glenn Bernasek, Ret. Technologist and USAR
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AUDIO TECHNICIAN-ANNOUNCER
Jon Marshall, Retired Strongsville Teacher
TRUMPET
Suzi Behm, Loss Prevention Mgr.
Nelson Canario, College of Wooster Grad
James Heinrich, V.P-Instrumentors, Inc.
Maurice Jefferson, Process Engineer
James Pehotsky, Corporate Recruiter
Reinhold Toerek, Engineer
Dr. Gino Ventresca, Oral Surgeon
Lizz Wilson, Highland Software
James Wonnacott, Retired Music Teacher
Chuck Zenkert, Retired
FRENCH HORN
Ingrid Askenbeck, Retired Psychotherapist
Nancy Bolterstein, Sales Associate
Melinda Kellerstrass, Music Teacher
James Mercer, Retired Music Teacher
Ann Painting, Substitute Teacher
Isabel Wright, Technical Sales Mgr.
TROMBONE
Peter Dinin, Database Administrator
Dave Hartman, Director of Safety
Del Hartman, Retired
Ryan Heinrich, Computer Programer
Kevin Wenner, Lab Technician
EUPHONIUM
John Fisher, Database Administrator
Bill Kelly, Chemist
TUBA
Randy Border, Retired Music Teacher
Karl Beckman, Engineer
PERCUSSION
Dr. Rosario Cambria, Interpreter
William Currier, Retired Principal
Daniel Kelley, Telecom Planning Analyst
Darryl Mika, Computer Programmer
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Events Calendar
The band will perform at the Strongsville Metropark Chalet on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 12:30 -1:30 pm.
Excerpts from previous performances in mp3 file format. Click on track to play.
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
The band will perform at the Strongsville Metropark Chalet on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 12:30-1:30 pm.
visitors since May 10, 2007
