Pops & Patriots performing at Apopka Community Center July 2nd

Most of my columns concern county government or neighborhood-building issues, but today, I'm writing about an opportunity for you to support a community band. The upcoming concert program is entitled Pops & Patriots. The group will perform the FREE concert at the Apopka Community Center on Sunday, July 2nd, at 7:30 PM.

The program contains all your favorite band numbers, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Armed Services Salute, Proud to be an American, Stars, and Stripes Forever. The program is suitable for young and old alike. You will never listen to a program filled with so many showstoppers.

Orange County Commissioner District 2 Christine Moore

Director Frank Taylor started the Music to My Mind non-profit organization intending to promote community bands. Community bands, unfortunately, have become a lost art in this country. I'm sure you can picture many an old movie such as Seventy-Six Trombones and the storyline about the intricate value of a band developing community pride.

A quick Google search on the history of community bands led me to the Allentown Band as the oldest civilian concert band in the country. This band played an active role in the community's musical life and cultural fabric since its first performance on July 4th, 1828. Over the years, John Philip Sousa recruited no less than twenty members from the Allentown Band for his professional band. Numerous renowned conductors led the group and preserved the band literature through various recordings. The concert band is an American tradition worthy of preservation and emulation.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to perform in a community band in District 2. And I say "we" because I am playing the flute/piccolo in this concert. I played in the Orlando Concert band when I was expecting my first child 30 years ago. I also had the opportunity to watch my father perform in community and professional bands growing up in Rochester, New York. I loved visiting Perinton Park every July 4th to hear the community band. As he passed away last year, I am the proud beneficiary of his favorite flute. I will be playing this flute at the July 2^nd concert.

Director Taylor's goal is to promote and preserve the wind band literature. His Apopka Community Band has members ranging from middle school students to seniors in their seventies. With Director Taylor's great musicality and musicianship, he expects quality and precision from every one of us. The group sounds absolutely wonderful. In fact, Mr. Taylor inspired me to bring my instrument and music to the county administration building, where I regularly practice between meetings.

The tradition, the quality, and the opportunity for community members to perform and citizens to engage are invaluable. I truly hope you support the effort and diligence of Maestro Frank Taylor and the entire band. Attending the annual Independence Day Concerts could be a new and meaningful tradition. I hope to see you on July 2nd at the Apopka Community Center on Central Avenue. I'm positive the concert will not fail to entertain you.