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John
O'Toole, Music Director
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TIM
CURTIN, BAND PRESIDENT;
NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR
Dear Band Members,
On behalf of the Waltham Post 156 American
Legion Band’s Board of Directors I am pleased to announce that John O’Toole (see his page
by clicking on John O'Toole, Music Director, above) has been selected
to be our next Music Director.
John brings many years of success with conducting and performing in
area marching and concert bands. The Board feels that John is the
best choice to embrace the traditions of our band and help us with our
continued overall improvement. With Ed Russo stepping down as
Music Director, we had some pretty big shoes to fill. For the
entire band, I would like to thank Ed, not only for his leadership over
his term as Director, but also for his understanding during this
selection process. Ed, your guidance has certainly made us all
better musicians. Good luck and good health in the
future.
I would like to thank the Music Director Search
Committee, especially its Chairman Dick Goguen, for all their hard work
in finding such great candidates. Thanks also to the Band
Members for providing their feedback on the candidates – your comments
were invaluable
Please make sure to join us at 7PM on February
8, 2010 for John’s first band rehearsal. Wishing you and yours a
very Happy Holidays.
Tim Curtin, President, Waltham Post 156 American Legion Band.
Introduction
The Waltham American Legion Band is an
all-volunteer band, originally directed by Dot
Hill, Larry Gilbo, Ed Russo, and now John O'Toole. The membership consists
of men and women who enjoy playing music
together. The band plays 25 to 30 parades and 8 to 10 concerts annually
throughout New England and the Greater Boston Area. The band travels in
its own bus from Waltham to the parade or concert site.
Uniforms, music, and stands are supplied, as well as percussion and
sousaphones.
Revenues from the
parades and concerts supply the band expenses as well as
the major cost of an annual trip, frequently to the American Legion
Annual Convention. At these conventions the Band enters
competition with other marching bands from throughout the country.
Rehearsals are
held at the Waltham American Legion Post 156, 215 Waverley Oaks Road,
(Corner Rte. 60 and Beaver Street), Waltham, MA. on Monday
evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
New members of
all ages are most welcome. Most of our members have played
in
high school and college bands. Auditions are not necessary.
You'll find you'll get up to speed quickly. There's probably a
band
member in your home town. For
more information: George Whapham, 508-485-8499, or
georgewhapham@comcast.net
The Waltham Legion Post
also hosts the Soft Touch Dance Band, an 18 piece "big band"
specializing in music from the '40s and '50s. The band
was formed in 1980 by members of the Waltham American Legion Band
and contributes its net proceeds to college scholarships.
Its web site is at www.softtouchband.org