The Craven Community Concert Band was founded by the late Dr. Bob Bianco in the year 2000. Bob resigned as director in 2005, having arranged for Brad Langhans to take over the band. At the beginning of the band year 2007/2008, Brad informed the group that he would direct the band for that year, but would not in the future. He wanted to give us time to find a new conductor. The band continued under Brad’s and assistant Mark Lorek’s direction and had a very good year, but no new director stepped forth.
In March the band formed a “search committee” and I wrote an article for the New Bern Sun Journal in hopes of attracting a qualified individual to lead us in 2008/2009 and beyond. No-one contacted us as a result.
One day in June I was in the Family Tire and Auto Service waiting room waiting for tires to be put on my car. I had a book that I really wanted to read, but a young man sitting in the room tried several times to start a conversation. Each time I answered his question courteously, but briefly, and returned to my book. Finally, I gave up, and asked him what he did.
“I’m a Marine,” he said.
Having seen his haircut, I responded, “I know that what do you do in the Marine Corps?”
“I’m a musician.”
My interest perked and I asked, “What instrument do you play”
“Trombone.”
“No kidding, I play trombone in the Craven Community Band.”
“I saw the article in the paper. Did the band ever get a new conductor? I have always wanted to conduct a band like that.”
We talked about bands and his conducting experience for some time, and I expressed interest in having him visit and direct our band. We might have a match. He replied that he was unable to take such a project on at the time. My heart sank, but he said, “I have a friend who might like to do it. I’ll see him over the weekend.”
He wrote his name, Judd Howry, and his phone number on a card and told me to call him the next Monday. I called and got no answer, but the answer machine picked up and I left a message. Within a half hour Judd called me back and said his friend, Mitchell Martin, was interested. A short time later, Mitchell Martin called me, and we agreed to a meeting with the search committee. The meeting went well, and we asked Mitch to become our director.
I was pleased, but also panicked. Would the band respond to Mitch? Would Mitch, who directs the wonderful Second Marine Aircraft Wing Band full time, think our volunteer Monday night group worth the trouble?
My fears disappeared at our first rehearsal in September when Mitch directed for his first time. I had fun, but didn’t know what others felt. The answer came when we finished playing the last number, and everyone started to applaud. On about the third night, Jay Sadler, a trombone player turned to me and said, “If Bob Bianco looked down at us tonight, he was smiling.” I felt good.
We recently presented our Christmas Concert to a big and responsive audience. Mitch had put together a fine program of patriotic, classical, folk, and Christmas selections. For our first time ever, the band opened a concert with “The Star Spangled Banner.” From the audience response, I knew the concert would go well.
Like all of our concerts there was no admission charge, but we had advertised that a toy for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program could be donated if so desired. Mitch had some Marines bring boxes in which toys could be dropped. The response was so great that the boxes overflowed. Mitch had to recruit people to help transport the toys to Cherry Point.
From Mitch’s enthusiasm and the Band’s response to him, I know we made a good choice. New tires have never before given me such great pleasure. I and the other members of the Band can never thank Judd Howry enough!