Band Notes

The McKinney Community Band Newsletter

Winter 2010 Vol.1 Issue 1

Encore
“The Beginning”
By Sandi Morscheck

It was the Friday, June 30, 2006, issue of the Dallas Morning News. There, on page 3B, elation lit
up the faces of two men in the photograph. Who were they? Lifetime friends, Bill Sleeper and Ed
Schwarz. The two teamed up to start a community band, right here in McKinney. With support from
Mayor Bill Whitfield, local businesses, and Scott Johnson Middle School, the McKinney Community
Band is establishing itself. Three-and-a-half years ago, when the article appeared in the Dallas Morning
News, approximately 20 core members made up the band. Today membership numbers at 63
instrumentalists and counting. With flutes, saxophones, French horns, trombones, trumpets, clarinets,
oboe, euphonium, tubas and percussion, the band is making music.

Since those early days, McKinney Community Band performance highlights include a D-Day
concert and Take Me to the Theatre, a fall 2009 concert, at the McKinney Performing Arts Center
(MPAC) in downtown McKinney, three years’ participation in “A Dickens of a Christmas,” and concerts
at Highland Springs Retirement Community, the Heard Museum, Country Lane Retirement Community,
the Heard-Craig House, and several other venues. Currently the band is preparing for our next concert at
the MPAC on February 13, 2010. This performance, entitled Love Notes will feature popular romantic
music. All are invited, and tickets are free. Visit www.mckinneycommunityband.com to print free tickets,
which are required for admittance. The show will begin at 7:30 in the evening.

Accented Notes
“McKinney Community Band Fantasy Fulfilled”
By Ed Schwarz

On 7 April 2006, I stole a preview look at the

evolving MPAC. After my wife and I moved to
McKinney, I had resigned my membership of 30-plus
years’ duration in a now distant community band.
Withdrawal symptoms had begun to set-in! On seeing
the new and empty MPAC stage, my mind conjured the
pleasant fantasy of performing with a community band
again—here in McKinney—in this very courtroom
theater.

On 12 September 2009, our Take Me to the

Theater concert, at MPAC, converted my three-year fantasy to fact! This 76-year-old drummer
experienced performing the concert with three generations of family in the audience. Further, this
included my 10- and 7-year old granddaughters, caught up in the excitement of seeing their "Peepa"
playing their mother's drum set. (When our daughter married and left our nest, she took the baby grand
piano and left me her drum set.) Music bonds! It is a magic bond I have had the good fortune to share
with each of my three children, my two granddaughters, and many great friends. To all my fellow MCB
members and our director Bill Sleeper (my musical compatriot of so many years), "thanks for the
memory"!

Cadenza
“Meet the Band”

Conductors Marsha Hope John Stephenson (Bari)

Bill Sleeper Jenny Law Julie Ferraro (Tenor)
Bill Mark Nancy Michalek
Carlos Chipps Vicky Putman Trombone
Elicia Timberlake Ron Brock
Bass Nancy Wood Zornes David Claney
Teddy Dillingham Bruce Elliot
French Horn Tim Martinich
Clarinet Anastasia Canfield
Carolyn Bentley W.G. Horst Trumpet
Charlie Berry Bill Russell Walt Dean
Carlos Chipps Mike Duffy
Dian Beaubien (Bass) Oboe Phil DeFoe
Jim Crabbe Joe Standridge Tom Evans
John Hoffman Kenneth Hepner
Sandi Morscheck Percussion John Johnson
Alan Warner Herb Fischer Bill Morris
Deanne Witt Ed Schwarz Jay Wartell
Cynthia Walker Darren Windham
Euphonium
Bill Mark Saxophone Tuba
Arthur Garza (Alto) Jesse Davis
Flute Chris Heider (Alto) Matt Dobecka
Mary Beth Berry Jamie O’Rorke (Alto)
Cecil Farris Kristin Williams (Alto)
Coda
“More Band”

Many of our musicians got together to form two additional groups. One is the McKinney
Community Band Dance Band, endearingly called “The Dance Band.” The Dance Band
performed at the D-Day concert in June, Highland Springs, Country Lane Retirement
Community, and other venues. With John Johnson directing, The Dance Band adds a wonderful
element to the McKinney Community Band.
The second group, McKinney Community Band Flute Choir, is lovingly referred to as the
Flute Choir. This wonderful ensemble made their debut at Country Lane Retirement Community.
Currently directed by Bill Mark, the Flute Choir is a fabulous addition to the McKinney
Community Band.

Events
Saturday, February 13, 7:30 p.m.
MPAC at the historic Collin County Courthouse

Please join the McKinney Community Band, under the direction of Bill Sleeper, for an evening
of romantic and love songs just in time for Valentine’s Day. Tickets are free, but required. Free
tickets may be printed out by visiting www.mckinneycommunityband.com

Finale’
The McKinney Community Band is a
welcomes new members. If you play an
want to again—come and join us.
at Scott Johnson Middle School on
Come to the band hall on the north side
Downbeat is at 7:15 p.m.
fun laid back group of musicians that
instrument now—or have in the past and
Practices take place Thursday evenings
Community Drive in North McKinney.
of the building.

Contact Us
www.mckinneycommunityband.com or mckinneycommunityband@gmail.com

Applause
The McKinney Community Band would like to thank all those who have made this band a
reality. We especially wish to thank all our sponsors: Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services, Inc.,
Chipps Design Studio, Mpath Design, Inc., Café Málaga, Landon Winery, Mom and Popcorn,
The Jalapeño Tree, American National Bank, Churchill’s, Aparicio’s, and Boston’s The Gourmet
Pizza.

This project is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the City of McKinney Arts
Commission.