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Music Teacher Trying to form a 40-person or
more symphonic group
Fremont Argus,
January 2005
Linh Tat, Staff Writer
NEWARK — For more than a decade,
Manuel Garcia has found
opportunities to perform in a band.
But as he prepares to graduate from
San Jose State University — and bid
farewell to the school's marching
band — Garcia must look for a new
venue to showcase his artistic
talents.
He is hoping that Newark soon will
have a community band, under the
leadership of Kevin Hanson, one of
three band directors teaching in the
school district.
"There are a lot of musicians in
Newark," said Garcia, 23, a former
Newark resident who moved to Fremont
about 15 years ago. "If (the city)
had a band of its own, I think a lot
of people would be interested in it
and actually do it."
That's what Hanson is counting on,
too, as he makes plans to form the
Newark Area Symphonic Winds. About
10 people have expressed interest in
playing, but Hanson needs at least
30 more for a full-sized symphonic
band — different from an orchestra
because it would not include
stringed instruments.
Details are being worked out, but if
all goes according to Hanson's
plans, the band will rehearse each
Monday, from 7 to 9 or 10 p.m., at
Newark Memorial High School.
Individuals who have not played in
years are welcome, but they must
make a habit of practicing again,
said Hanson, who has offered to
assist those who no longer own an
instrument to find one.
"We want to have a real viable group
... from professional musicians to
college students, as long as they're
willing to play and be a working
part of the group," he said.
From classical to Broadway and from
jazz to contemporary, Hanson
envisions the band performing a
variety of music. Eventually, the
band director hopes to arrange a
formal concert and have formal
outfits for the players.
But for now, his main goal simply is
to get a band together within a
month — in time for group members to
begin rehearsing for a May or June
concert.
Hanson, who teaches band at Graham,
Lincoln, Schilling and Snow
elementary schools, spent nine years
performing with Army bands,
including serving as a conductor and
band arranger in Japan.
Before joining the military, Hanson
earned degrees in vocal and
instrumental music education at
Northwestern Oklahoma State
University and directed band
programs in Oklahoma and
Pennsylvania. He also has worked
with various church and community
musical groups.
"You can do a lot with community
people who are not professionals.
It's all about people who like to
play music," he said.
For Garcia, performing in a
community band is a good option for
those who view music as a hobby.
"It's a great way to meet people,
especially in your area," the tuba
player said. "It's a really friendly
atmosphere. It's not really a stress
environment. Everyone's there for
fun, not to earn money or to compete
with each other."
If interested in joining a community
band, contact Kevin Hanson at
khanson@nusd.k12.ca.us or at
(510) 566-5029.
Staff writer Linh Tat covers Newark
for The Argus. She can be reached at
(510) 353-7004 or
ltat@angnewspapers.com
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