on Allen, president, Kirby Band, and Donald VanScoy, conductor, Kirby Band, congratulate Carl Larson of Owego on his 50 years of service to the Kirby Band. Pictured, from left, are Allen, Larson and VanScoy.
Helene Rouse, of Athens, Pa., received this year’s Irving and Kathryn Hall Award at the Kirby Band’s annual dinner meeting held recently at Donoli’s in Apalachin. Debbie Parmalee, recipient of the 2016 Hall Award, presented the award. In addition to the honor and a special pin designed by a Candor, N.Y. artist, Rouse will have her 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. Rouse, a Kirby Band member who plays alto saxophone, has been a Kirby Band member since 1997 and has also served as a Kirby Band board member. She chairs the annual Christmas party and gives her heart to the band.
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 and supported the arts. Pat Ronsvalle, daughter of Irving and Kathryn Hall, attended the banquet. The Kirby Band, based in Nichols, N.Y., is the second oldest community band in the United States.
Debbie Parmalee also presented Exemplar Awards to several band members for outstanding service to the Kirby Band. Those receiving Exemplar Awards include Amanda Smith, Seth Edsell, Sandy Carlin, Kathy Rote, Joshua Wickham and Mike Worden.
The Kirby Band also recognized Carl Larson of Owego for 50 years of service to the Kirby Band. In addition to Larson, the Kirby Band recognized special guests, Pat Ronsvalle and Ron Billings.
President Jon Allen conducted the annual business meeting. He read the minutes of the 2016 annual meeting in the absence of Sandra Ridley, secretary. Sherry Spencer gave the financial report in the absence of Dave Barton, treasurer.
Debbie Parmalee gave the Business Manager’s report. She reviewed the 2017 season, which included Memorial Day parades in the Elmira area, a concert at the Hickories in Owego, as well as parades and concerts throughout the Twin Tiers. The band also performed in August at its Monday night concerts at the Methodist Church in Nichols.
More events are scheduled for December to include a concert at the Universalist Unitarian Church on Second Street in Towanda and the Sayre Health Center. With these two last performances the band will have performed 15 concerts and 11 parades for the 2017 season.
Band Director Don Van Scoy reported that the 2017 season was the best concert season the band has had. He stated that the band has continually improved over the past five or six years. He thanked the band members for their hard work. Van Scoy added that he has received positive comments from audiences following concerts.
The following slate of officers was elected unanimously by the band members: Jon Allen, president; Janine Callear, vice-president; Sandra Ridley, secretary; Dave Barton, treasurer; and Debbie Parmalee, business manager. In addition, the following board members at large were elected: Gary Kauppinen, Judy Kauppinen, Sherry Spencer, Sandy Carlin, Don Van Scoy and Scott Ridley.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by the dance band – Ain’t Misbehavin’.
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, which will resume on Jan. 29. No auditions are required.
A dance band, Ain’t Misbehavin’, is also part of the Kirby Band. 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 Van Scoy 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 2018 season, contact Debbie Parmalee at (607) 565-2612, Jon Allen at (570) 886-0229, or Janine Callear at (570) 888-6092.
You can also visit www.kirbyband.com to learn more.
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