Meet our conductor

John Bailey
​Returning for his 9th season as conductor, is Mr. John Bailey–High School, Instrumental Band Instructor at Pembroke Central Schools. Of late, he was named Lyndonville's first annual Teacher of the Year in 2017 while also conducting the Pembroke-Corfu Community Band between 2013 and 2018, has had the honor of conducting two local All-County Concerts and is the humble recipient of the Helen Bach Moss Memorial Better Beginnings Award presented by the New York State Education Department.

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.
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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.