Meet the Batavia Concert Band
Presenting fully-funded public concerts in Batavia, NY for almost 100 years!
Join us on Wednesdays at 7pm throughout the summer! Check out our current Season Schedule
Though our group of musicians is extremely diverse, the audience is even more so. Our repertoire has something for everyone: marches, big-band, swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in-between. This semi-professional wind band is made from over 50 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure – all love to play.
If you're interested in contributing as a musician with the Batavia Concert Band, please reach out anytime at: personnel.bcb@gmail.com
Though our group of musicians is extremely diverse, the audience is even more so. Our repertoire has something for everyone: marches, big-band, swing numbers, popular songs from musicals and movies, rock favorites, classical adaptations, and everything in-between. This semi-professional wind band is made from over 50 brass, woodwind and percussion players ranging from talented high school students to 60-year veterans. Many have professional experience, others are advanced amateur musicians, but one thing is for sure – all love to play.
If you're interested in contributing as a musician with the Batavia Concert Band, please reach out anytime at: personnel.bcb@gmail.com
Meet our conductor, John Bailey
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Mr. John Bailey leads and directs the senior high instrumental music program at Pembroke High School (his Alma Mater). In addition to directing the Pembroke Marching Dragons (Spring and Fall), he is a true enthusiast of community. In any off-season, you could find him somewhere outside: camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, running, walking the dog or mowing the lawn. A few of his accolades include:
• Worship Director: OneChurch (Medina Campus), 2019–2021 • Founding Partner: Orleans County Summer Music Festival, 2015–2019 • Conductor: Pembroke-Corfu Community Band, 2013 – 2018 • NYS Better Beginnings Award (Helen Bach Moss Memorial): NYSED, 2017 • Lyndonville's first annual Teacher of the Year, 2017 • Elementary Band Conductor, Genesee-Wyoming All County Music Festival, 2016 • Jr. High Band Conductor, Genesee-Wyoming All County Music Festival, 2014 |
History of the Band
In 1924, when Angelo Colarusso arrived to form the Batavia Boys' Concert Band. Colarusso had earned medals and wide recognition in Europe and America as a conductor and baritone horn player. In those first Batavia boys-only bands, Colarusso was both conductor and instrumental instructor, for which he charged the proud boys’ families the princely sum of $3 per month.
As the boys matured the band reorganized as the American Legion Band. Edward Sullivan conducted until about 1933, followed by Angelo Zimmarino. The group "disbanded" during WWII and restarted in the late ‘40’s under the direction of Gordon Cox. Two members of the original boys' band, Daniel Martino and Joseph Puccio, continued to play with the band through the early 1980s.
To this day one of the Batavia Concert Band’s hallmarks – besides the fact that we have an equal number of men and women – is the wide span of players’ ages, which range from advanced high school players in their teens, to octogenarians who have enjoyed playing for 50, 60 or more years. We learn from each other, we all love to play, and we enjoy bringing quality live band music to the community.
In 2015, in light of our 90th anniversary we re-designed our logo. Having been in use for over 20 years, our previously admired mark has now evolved into something that is reflective of the old but one that fully embraces the new; something that re-establishes the group's longevity and importance in the community.
The semi-circle/rainbow shape that we've come to know has been recycled and simplified. It's beauty lies in the subtle contrast of large and small, dark and light – in reference to the groups wide diversity. It may also represent the setting sun on those warm summer nights enjoyed by all those who gather to listen. Or maybe, it's a theatrical half-note, sticking proudly into the soft lawn of Centennial Park, blasting an unforgettable jazz solo from it's bell. But to others it may be a horizon, foreshadowing the opportunities that lie ahead.
As the boys matured the band reorganized as the American Legion Band. Edward Sullivan conducted until about 1933, followed by Angelo Zimmarino. The group "disbanded" during WWII and restarted in the late ‘40’s under the direction of Gordon Cox. Two members of the original boys' band, Daniel Martino and Joseph Puccio, continued to play with the band through the early 1980s.
To this day one of the Batavia Concert Band’s hallmarks – besides the fact that we have an equal number of men and women – is the wide span of players’ ages, which range from advanced high school players in their teens, to octogenarians who have enjoyed playing for 50, 60 or more years. We learn from each other, we all love to play, and we enjoy bringing quality live band music to the community.
In 2015, in light of our 90th anniversary we re-designed our logo. Having been in use for over 20 years, our previously admired mark has now evolved into something that is reflective of the old but one that fully embraces the new; something that re-establishes the group's longevity and importance in the community.
The semi-circle/rainbow shape that we've come to know has been recycled and simplified. It's beauty lies in the subtle contrast of large and small, dark and light – in reference to the groups wide diversity. It may also represent the setting sun on those warm summer nights enjoyed by all those who gather to listen. Or maybe, it's a theatrical half-note, sticking proudly into the soft lawn of Centennial Park, blasting an unforgettable jazz solo from it's bell. But to others it may be a horizon, foreshadowing the opportunities that lie ahead.
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