A July 2021 post on Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band's Facebook page reads "Do you know where your instrument is?"
After some fine tuning, JC Community Band plans to hit the stage in April at Calvary Lutheran High School for the group's first performance in two years.
The concert will feature Irish tunes, film classics and more traditional symphony material. Former Community Band director Paul Hinman said they are easing back into it as they "resurrect" the group and he makes his way back to Jefferson City -- until then, he's helping coordinate the concert from 13 hours away.
'Servant leader'
Hinman didn't expect to make the move to Loretto, Pennsylvania, after retiring in Jefferson City. He was a part of Capital Kicks Jazz Band and helped start Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band. But when Saint Francis University asked him to serve as interim director of bands, he felt called to do it. The call came on a Thursday, and he moved there by Monday, making the move to Pennsylvania on his own while his wife and family stayed in Jefferson City.
"In those situations, my professional responsibility told me, 'servant leader,'" he said. "I have always done this for them."
What started as serving during the fall semester turned into a year. For the rest of his time in Pennsylvania, he's working to identify a leader to take his place, and then, he will resume being the JC Community Band leader in May.
For the April concert, Hinman has been helping coordinate details remotely. He'll be back in person to help plan and direct the group's Memorial Day concert.
Getting back on the bike
Hinman said playing an instrument is like riding a bike: You never forget, but it's not as easy as it used to be. And, "every time you come back, it's a brand new experience," he said.
As its 10th anniversary concert was canceled due to COVID-19, the band is knocking on wood that by the 15th anniversary, things will be back to a new normal, for audiences and band members.
"Or whatever normal happens to be," he said. "We're just trying to get our people back together, rebuilding some of those skills we had developed over the past few years."
Until Hinman resumes as band director, Kevin Zorena, Calvary Lutheran band director, and Gretta Lieser, Jamestown band director, are associate conductors for the April performance. Casey McDonald-Schneider has been keeping the whole ship running smoothly as JC Community Band president. The young directors speak to the mission -- raising up the next generation of music educators.
McDonald-Schneider said the band has created a pool of conductors to choose from while preparing for concerts, and they're hoping to have a rotating group of local band directors, retired directors, college music majors and anyone else interested in conducting.
Unlike other symphonies, JC Community Band is able to welcome more instruments typically found in a band, and it accepts people who played in high school or college versus professionally. It's geared toward adult players, but those younger than 18 can audition to join. Folks of all musical abilities and instruments have been welcomed into the group.
"I know that we have students, current and former teachers (not all teach music), health care workers, bankers, mail carriers, state workers and plenty of retired folks," she said. "The fact that all of us can come together to create music at all our different ages really shows that music can heal all things and create a family. I know I wouldn't be where I am at without the Jefferson City Community Band."
With that, there are players in a variety of job fields -- that's one reason they've been cautious to reopen for the safety of the band.
"We have to be careful not to take chances with their professional and personal lives," Hinman said.
He said after a two-year hiatus, it feels a bit like starting over. But, they are determined to bring some normalcy back to the community through music.
While the specific date of the April concert is not yet known, Hinman said it'll be a welcomed reunion, and members are "getting ready to crank up and go."
"I'm certainly looking forward to going back and renewing those friendships with people who worked so hard for me for several years, when we started from scratch," Hinman said.
Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band is always looking for new members. If you're interested in joining, contact Paul Hinman at 607-743-4266 or [email protected].
Ethan Weston/News Tribune Sheet music for the song “Encanto” by Robert W. Smith on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo.
Ethan Weston/News Tribune Kevin Zorena plays trumpet during Jefferson City Community Band practice on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo. Zorena is the band director at Calvary Lutheran.
Ethan Weston/News Tribune A member of the Jefferson City Community Band practices the clarinet on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo.
Ethan Weston/News Tribune The Jefferson City Community Band practice the song “Encanto” during their first band practice in two years on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo.
Ethan Weston/News Tribune Mitch Hofstetter plays the Trombone during Jefferson City Community Band practice on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022 at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo. Hofstetter has been playing the instrument for around 70 years, he said.