From First Pitch to Fifth Year: Greenfield Concert Band Tunes Up For Their Anniversary Season

Summer in Greenfield: For the 60-member roster of the Greenfield Concert Band, this is a time to enjoy some well-earned downtime before the start of the new season this Thursday, Sept. 7.

For the members of the band’s board of directors, it's time to regroup, refocus and plan for the future of their still-fledgling community wind ensemble.

This year, however, that future includes something new – a look to the past.

“My vision for the band five years ago was to have a group of 35 people that enjoyed playing with one another. A group that was friendly, welcoming and allowed musicians to play a variety of pieces and parts,” says Greenfield Concert Band co-founder and president, Jessica Turtenwald Arenz. “I envisioned our concerts to bring in friends and family from the band, as well as a few members of the community looking to check us out for the first time.

“Where we are at five years surpassed all my expectations completely.”

Band Together

In addition to nearly doubling its projected membership since its inaugural season in 2013, the Greenfield Concert Band has attracted hundreds of the city’s residents to its free performances, garnered a strong online following and engaged the attention of many of the city’s movers and shakers.

“Jessica, and every member, has been wonderful to work with,” says City of Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke. “It's clear that she is dedicated to not only making the band a success, but its interaction and coordination with the city a success.”

That dedication has served the band well. Even in its infancy, the Greenfield Concert Band relied on direction and hard work to build.

“I had sent an email to the founders, telling them this was an idea I wanted to pursue and how much I wanted each of them to be a part of it,” says Turtenwald Arenz. “I was nervous on the day of the [initial] meeting, wondering if they would all show up and wondering if they would stay when they saw how much time and effort it was going to take from us all. Not only did they all show, but each and every one of them put their all into it.”

Together, Turtenwald Arenz and fellow co-founders Renee Lorenz, Kelly Schultz and Eric Arenz began the slow and steady process of creating a band that would be fun for band and audience members alike.

Cue The Music

No band is complete without its music, and as her fellow co-founders’ former high school band director, Greenfield Concert Band Conductor Kelly Schultz was uniquely suited to take up the baton.

“Working with former students – now young adults – was an adjustment for me, and I think them, too,” says Schultz. “For someone whose philosophy of music includes lifelong learning, I am proud to see it isn’t just a statement on paper. It is a living, breathing entity.

“The biggest impact for me is all of the dedicated, experienced and talented musicians we have. Word of mouth has continued to be a positive force for the growth of the band, as well as the audience we reach.”

On With The Show

The Greenfield Concert Band’s 2017-18 season includes performances Friday, Nov. 17 and Friday, Feb. 16 at the Greenfield Performing Arts Center, as well as an outdoor concert at Greenfield’s Konkel Park Amphitheater Friday, May 18.

While plans to celebrate the band’s fifth anniversary season are still in the works, it’s clear the future is sounding bright.

“I would like to continue to perform pieces that are not only exciting for our audience but stimulating for our musicians,” says Schultz. “As we round ‘fifth base,’ we are getting there.

“The band board is dynamic and driven to continue to showcase the band in the area, reaching more audience members and musicians. The ensemble itself has a wonderful camaraderie.”

Mayor Neitzke agrees.

“Empowered folks that have a passion for their communities make communities great. It's pretty clear that the band has a passion for our community. If the great musicians are any reflection of the band, I can only anticipate that we'll have a great community band for many years to come."