| The 41st season of The Washington County Band is underway! They will perform the third concert of their 2022 tour on Thursday, July 14 at 7pm on the Green at the Historic Salem Courthouse, 58 E. Broadway, Salem. The rain date will be the same time on July 21.The volunteer band is composed of 35-40 musicians, aged from about 18 to 90, from Washington County, nearby Vermont towns and even a few from Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties. Weekly rehearsals of traditional tunes, popular favorites and classic band pieces began in May under the direction of Gerald Zaffuts, who began his tenure with WCB in 2021. Mr. Zaffuts has an extensive background in teaching music at both the high school and college level, as well as performing in a wide variety of settings. Although community bands have been around in Washington County since the mid-1800’s, this iteration was founded by Moses Sherman of Rupert, VT. Participating in the band appeals to people from a full range of ages and backgrounds. It provides a particularly rich experience for high school students who are looking for an opportunity to play with more experienced musicians. The band maintains a nurturing philosophy and they tend to let the younger players play the first parts while the more seasoned in the group support them. For some, who have more than one relative in the band, the WCB is a multi-generational family tradition. About 35% of the group is made up of couples, like Dave and Debbie Wever, who have been playing in the band on and off since 1993 when their daughter, just after finishing the sixth grade, talked them into joining with her. Another couple was born through WCB when Salem Town Historian, Judy Flagg, who has been a part of the band for 22 years, met her husband, Ken, at band rehearsal. Admission to all WCB concerts is free. All you need to bring for this delightful evening of music is a lawn chair. For more information about The Historic Salem Courthouse Concerts on the Green, go to salemcourthouse.org. To learn more about the Washington County Band and its 2022 schedule go to washingtoncountyband.com |