The Brooklyn Community Band is comprised of volunteer members from the Brooklyn Park/ Brooklyn Center areas and beyond! We practice Monday evenings and perform both a summer and winter series of concerts.

Monday, July 29, 2013

StarTribune Recognizes Brooklyn Community Band 50-Year Milestone

July 23, 2013

View the online version of the article: http://www.startribune.com/local/north/216616751.html



Minnesota band with roots in box of cereal is still feeling its oats in the Brooklyns

Anna Pratt, Special to the Star Tribune

It’s said that a box of cereal led to the formation of the Brooklyn Community Band.

A Brooklyn Center resident named Jim Stumpfa reported to General Mills that he found “something unusual” in his cereal, according to an old newspaper clipping on the topic. A company representative, John Larson, went to Stumpfa’s home to hand-deliver a fresh box.

While Larson was there, a saxophone in the living room caught his eye. The two men got to talking about music, and it wasn’t long before the band was born.

That was 50 years ago, and the Brooklyn Community Band is still going strong. The group, co-sponsored by Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, is wrapping up its summer concert season with a performance on Monday, July 29, at the Town Green Band Shell in Maple Grove. That will be followed by an anniversary party, said band director Jane Ruohoniemi.

In honor of its milestone, the band will play an original work by Minnesota composer Timothy Mahr titled “Golden Opportunity.” The band received a $5,000 grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council that made the commissioned work possible.

In addition to the band’s golden anniversary, the title alludes to the notion that “we’re still looking for opportunities to improve and be better,” said Ruohoniemi, who played drums in the band in the late 1980s.

The band is performing the piece at each of its concerts this year, along with several Minnesota-themed selections and other favorites from its archives. “It’s a year of remembering,” Ruohoniemi said.

Keeping it fun

The band fluctuates between 35 and 45 members ranging in age from 18 to 85. Members are supposed to be high school graduates, although in a jam exceptions occasionally are made. For example, more percussion players are needed, so Ruohoniemi’s teenage son, Brian, is playing in that section.

The group doesn’t do auditions. It’s about keeping it “lighthearted and fun,” Ruohoniemi said. “Band members don’t want to practice 10 hours a day.”

One player hadn’t picked up her instrument in 40 years when she joined the band. “She said she only knew three notes,” Ruohoniemi said. “She was real nervous for a long time.”

Ruohoniemi told her, “ ‘Just don’t play the riffs you don’t know, till you get your chops back.’ The next year I had her playing solos.”

She encourages others to do the same. “Music is a gift to everyone,” she said. Helping people tap into that, “That’s where our niche in the world is.”

Looking back

Sally Schilling, a clarinet player with the band since 1970, has recently become its informal historian. She’s filled up two big albums with ephemera from the band’s 50 years, which she’s been lugging to its concerts.

The albums contain newspaper clippings, concert photos, announcements for events at local nursing homes, parks and other community centers, and even weddings.

Schilling remembers one performance when it was pouring rain. “We played only for ourselves,” she said. Another time, it was over 100 degrees, and only one person attended.

“We’ve had a lot of fun through the years,” Schilling said. But the group also has had funding struggles and at one point, it looked as if it would call it quits. That’s when “the Lions Club bailed us out,” she said.

Members do they’re part; the band is all-volunteer and participants pay membership fees.

A family tradition

Mary Sorenson grew up going to band concerts as a youngster in the mid-70s. Both of her parents and several other family members spent many years in the band. So it was only natural that after she graduated from high school in 1981, she would continue the tradition.

She wasn’t the best of flute players when she started out, but “I got better over the years,” she said.

Besides, nobody’s ego gets in the way, Sorenson said. “Everyone gets along. People help each other out. It’s a good, cohesive group.”

And it’s an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life who share a love for music.

Given that “there are so many changes in life, with people moving around, job changes. It’s neat to have something constant,” Sorenson said.

Two charter members

Carol Abild, a charter member, joined the band at her sister-in-law’s urging. She’d been a tuba player in high school, but the then-12-member band had four tubas, so she switched to the French horn.

Her mother, who had played piano for silent movies, instilled a love of music in her. For Abild and her siblings, “It wasn’t a question of whether we would play an instrument, but which one,” she said.

She’s stayed with it because “it’s just a constant enjoyment of music, learning new pieces,” she said.

Another founding member, drummer Donald Severson Sr., signed up after seeing an advertisement. His wife, Mickey, was a tuba player in the band early on, as well.

Severson took a hiatus at one point when work got busy, then returned to the band nearly a dozen years ago. “It was a strange experience. I had the music, my hands responded to what I could see,” he said. “I got used to it again. It’s like riding a bicycle. It comes back.”

The band is fun but also offers a sense of accomplishment, he said. “There’s something, an ineffable feeling, on a rare occasion, when everything seems to go right. You’re in a group and all of a sudden, you become one.”



Anna Pratt is a Minneapolis freelance writer.

Monday, June 24, 2013

2013 Summer Concert Schedule

Celebrating 50 Years!


Join us at one of the following locations this summer for as we celebrate our 50 year history. Our program includes a Minnesota theme, music through the decades and a specially written piece in honor of our anniversary.
 

Monday, June 3, 2013
7:00 p.m.
St. Therese at Oxbow Lake
5200 Oak Grove Parkway
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Monday, June 10, 2013
7:00 p.m.
North Ridge Sr. Apartments
5500 Boone Avenue N
New Hope, MN 55428

Friday, June 14, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Tater Daze Main Stage
St. Gerards Church parking lot
9600 Regent Avenue
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Monday, June 24, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Wellstead of Rogers
Crown Room
20600 S. Diamond Lake Road
Rogers, MN 55374

Monday, July 1, 2013
7:30 - 8:45 p.m.
Lake Harriet Pavilion
4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55409

Monday, July 8, 2013
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Como Park Pavilion
1360 N. Lexington Avnue
St Paul, MN 55103

Friday, July 12, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Relay for Life
Brooklyn Center High Football Field
6500 Humboldt Avenue N.
Brooklyn Center, Mn 55429

Tuesday, July 16, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Center Centennial Park
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Monday, July 29, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Town Green Band Shell
7991 Main Street
Maple Grove, MN 55311


 


Monday, October 15, 2012

2012-13 C0NCERT/REHEARSAL SCHEDULE


 

2012-13 C0NCERT/REHEARSAL  SCHEDULE
BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BAND


Oct          1              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Oct          8              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Oct          15            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Oct          22            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Oct          29            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal

Nov         5              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Nov         12            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Nov         19            Monday                  Maranatha Baptist Home                                    7:00 p.m. Performance
                                                                5401 69th Ave N,    Brooklyn Center

Nov         26            Monday                  Wellstead of Rogers                                             7:00   p.m. Performance                         
                                                                Crown Room
                                                                20600 S. Diamond Lake Rd
                                                                Rogers, MN 55374

Dec          3              Monday                  Brooklyn Park Community Center                    7:00 p.m. Performance
                                                                85th and Regent

Dec          10            Monday                  St. Therese Home                                                 7:00 p.m. Performance
                                                                8000 Bass Lake Rd., New Hope
Dec          17            Monday                  Possible Performance?
Dec          24            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL
Dec          31            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL

Jan           7              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Jan           14            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Jan           21            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL                                               
Jan           28            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal

Feb          4              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Feb          11            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal                
Feb          18            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL                                            
Feb          25            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal                

Mar         4              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Mar         11            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Mar         18            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Mar         25            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL
                            
Apr          1              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Apr          8              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Apr          15            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Apr          22            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
Apr          29            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal

May         6              Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
May         13            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
May         20            Monday                   NVJH Band room                                                   7:30 p.m. Rehearsal
May         27            Monday                   NO REHEARSAL                                               

 

 

                                                               

 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

2012 Summer Concert Schedule

Monday, June 4
Centennial Lakes Plaza - 7:00 p.m.
7499 France Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55435
Map

Friday, June 15
Brooklyn Park Tater Daze - Main Stage - 7:00 p.m.
St. Gerard Church Parking Lot
9600 Regent Avenue
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
Map

Thursday, June 28
Becker Park - 7:00 p.m.
6225 56th Avenue North
Crystal, MN 55429
Map

Monday, July 9
Como Park Pavilion - 7:00 p.m.
1360 North Lexington Parkway
Saint Paul, MN 55103
Map

Friday, July 13
Relay for Life - 7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Center High School Football Field
6500 Humboldt Avenue
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Map

Tuesday, July 17
Brooklyn Center Centennial Park - 7:00 p.m.
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
Map

Monday, July 23
Lake Harriet Pavilion - 7:30 p.m.
4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55419
Map


For information about band membership, contact director Jane Ruohoniemi at swansenmarth@gmail.com.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Winter Concert Schedule

(Rehearsals are weekly Monday 10/3 - 11/21 at NVJH Bandroom 7:30pm) If interested in joining the Brooklyn Community Band, please contact Jane Ruohoniemiswansen@embarqmail.com

Concerts:
MONDAY11/28 7:00pm
Wellstead of Rogers
Crown Room
20600 S. Diamond Lake Rd
Rogers, MN 55374

MONDAY 12/5 7:00pm
Brooklyn Park Community Center
85th and Regent

MONDAY 12/12 7:00pm
St. Therese Home
8000 Bass Lake Rd., New Hope

WEDNESDAY Dec 21st, 7:30pm
Park Center Sr. High Concert
7300 Brooklyn Blvd
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443

Rehearsals resume 1/9/12

Monday, March 21, 2011

SUMMER 2011 C0NCERT SCHEDULE

June 6 - Monday 7pm performance
St. Therese at Oxbow Lake
5200 Oak Grove Pkwy
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443


June 13 - Monday 7pm performance
The Wellstead of Rogers
20600 S. Diamond Lake Rd.
Rogers, MN 55374


June 20 - Monday 7pm performance
Blaine Gazebo Commons Area
109th & Central Ave.
Blaine


June 27 - Monday 7pm performance
Maranatha Care Center
5401 69th Ave N,
Brooklyn Center


July 8 - Friday 7:30pm performance
Relay for Life
Brooklyn Center High Football field
6500 Humboldt Ave N
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429


July 11 - Monday 7-8:30 pm performance
COMO PARK PAVILION
1360 N. Lexington in Como Park
I-94 through Mpls. To St. Paul exit on Lexington Pkwy
Take a left to the park, parking near pavilion
Carpool leaves NVJH at 6:00 p.m.


July 19 - Tuesday 7pm performance
Brooklyn Center Centennial Park
(formerly Central Park)
6301 Shingle Creek Pkwy
Brooklyn Center

Monday, February 28, 2011