Timberlane Community Band keeps on giving

New Hampshire

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April 14, 2010

Timberlane Community Band helps local school

By Eric Parry

PLAISTOW — There are plenty of community bands around, but what makes the Timberlane Community Band unique is its generosity.

Rick Incollingo, an Atkinson resident and one of the founding members, said the band gives money to the school district, high school and sponsors a scholarship for a student every year.

"The support for the band is higher than it's ever been," he said.

Friday is the band's 10th anniversary Pops Concert and tickets are nearly sold out. More than 50 local businesses and individuals have donated items for a silent auction that will be part of the celebration.

The band's home is Timberlane Regional High School. Director Tony DiBartolomeo, who is also the school district's music director, said the 55-member band takes a lot of pride in the school's performing arts center, where they practice every week. Members range in age from 17 to 80.

The band has purchased two rows of seats in the auditorium and more than $10,000 in equipment for the performing arts center.

"It's a nice, symbiotic relationship," he said.

The band started in the spring of 1999. Incollingo and Fred Thompson first talked about the idea in Thompson's backyard. A few weeks later, they held their first meeting and 12 people started playing together.

Jeanne Vickery joined the band at the second rehearsal. It was the first time she had picked up her clarinet in years.

DiBartolomeo said some members hadn't played their instruments for as long as 40 years before joining the band.

Now the band has grown to include several smaller groups, including a flute ensemble and a saxophone quintet. This Friday's concert will include the debut of a swing band, Incollingo said.

"It's all grown from this seed of 12 people," DiBartolomeo said.

In addition to enjoying the other band members, Vickery said it's a lot of fun performing in front of friends and family at concerts, parades and summer festivals.

"It's really taken on a life of its own," DiBartolomeo said.

The band culminates its season with a Veterans Day concert at the school, but also holds a Christmas concert.

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