Judy Kauppinen, 2014 recipient of the Hall Award, presents the Hall Award plaque to Dave Barton, 2015 recipient of the Irving and Kathryn Hall Award, at the Kirby Band’s annual dinner. Pictured, from left, are Don VanScoy, conductor, Kirby Band; Jon Allen, president, Kirby Band board; Dave Barton, 2015 Hall Award recipient; Judy Kauppinen; and Pat Ronsvalle, daughter of Irving and Kathryn Hall. (Provided photo)
Dave Barton, of Nichols, N.Y. received this year’s Irving and Kathryn Hall Award at the Kirby Band’s annual dinner meeting held recently at Donoli’s in Apalachin, N.Y. Judy Kauppinen, recipient of the 2014 Hall Award, presented the award. In addition to the honor and a special pin designed by a Candor, N.Y. artist, Barton will have his name added to the Hall Award plaque.
The prestigious Irving and Kathryn Hall Award has been given annually since 1984 to the band member or support member who has contributed the most to the band during the past season. Barton, a Kirby Band member who plays tuba, has been a Kirby Band member for several years and is also a Kirby Band Board member. He also played in the Kirby Band when he was in high school and as a child growing up he lived next door to Mr. and Mrs. Hall.
The award is named for the late Irving and Kathryn Hall of Nichols, who provided rehearsal space for many years for the Kirby Band at the Hallwares Building in Nichols. Pat Ronsvalle, daughter of Irving and Kathryn Hall, presented the special pin to Barton. The Kirby Band, based in Nichols, N.Y., is the second oldest community band in the United States.
Kauppinen also presented Exemplar Awards to several band members for outstanding service to the Kirby Band. Those receiving Exemplar Awards included Mike Worden, Debbie Parmalee, Helene Rouse, Sandy Carlin and Kalei Fenn.
President Jon Allen conducted the annual business meeting. He read the minutes of the 2014 annual meeting in the absence of Sandra Ridley, secretary. Sherry Spencer, treasurer, gave the financial report.
Barb Henderson gave the Business Manager’s report. She stated that the band performed 14 concerts and 12 parades for the 2015 season. These events included Memorial Day parades in the Elmira area, a concert at Hickories Park in Owego, as well as parades and concerts throughout the Twin Tiers. The band also performed in August at its Monday night concerts in Kirby Park in Nichols.
More events are scheduled for the fall to include the Towanda Halloween parade, the Ithaca Veterans’ Day parade, the Sayre Christmas Parade, and the Waverly, N.Y. Tinsel ‘n Lights.
Band Director Don VanScoy reported that the 2015 season was one of the best concert seasons. VanScoy stated that the band has continually improved over the past four or five years. He thanked the band members for their hard work.
The band members elected the following slate of officers unanimously: Jon Allen, president; Janine Callear, vice-president; Sandra Ridley, secretary; Dave Barton, treasurer; and Barb Henderson, business manager.
In addition, the following board members at large were elected: Jim Halton, Judy Kauppinen, Sherry Spencer, Carl Larson, Ron and Rita Billings, Gary Kauppinen, Don VanScoy and Debbie Parmalee.
A new dance band, Ain’t Misbehaving, performed for the after dinner entertainment. Ain’t Misbehaving has been rehearsing and performing over the past year.
The Nichols-based Kirby Band is comprised of volunteer musicians from all walks of life from throughout the Twin Tiers. The director of the Kirby Band is Don VanScoy. The Kirby Band rehearses Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the former Asbury Church on River Road in Nichols.
The band invites area musicians to attend its Monday evening rehearsals. No auditions are required. For directions to the Asbury Church or for further information on rehearsals, contact Jon Allen at (570) 886-0229, Janine Callear at (570) 888-6092, or Don VanScoy at (607) 687-2718.
The Kirby Band is supported, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts’ Decentralization Program administered by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
For further information about the Kirby Band or to schedule a performance for the 2016 season, contact Barb Henderson at (607) 642-3477, Jon Allen at (570) 886-0229, or Janine Callear at (570) 888-6092. Persons can also visit the Kirby Band website, www.kirbyband.com.
