The Value of Music

To the Editor:

It is exciting to see that you featured a front page article on Robert Nolte’s efforts to start a community band in Newtown and the value of lifelong participation in music [“Striking Up The Band,” 2/6/09]. Any time we can bring people together to promote and enjoy the arts, it is wonderful. However, there was some misinformation in the article that deserves correction.

In fact, there has been a community band that includes Newtown residents for about 30 years. It was originally the Tribury Band, which later became the Wind Ensemble of Western Connecticut that is now operating in a community partnership with Naugatuck Valley Community College, which includes the Newtown area. The band is an offering through the Continuing Education Division or can be taken as a college course for credit. The Wind Ensemble is a 48-seat concert band that rehearses in a Woodbury church on Tuesday nights. They perform concerts at the college as well as for community events throughout the area, including three concerts in Newtown in the past six years. We have six members from Newtown and the rest are from surrounding towns between Danbury and Waterbury. The band is primarily adult amateurs who serve as mentors to the college and high school students who participate. We also have a summer session where high school and returning college students are welcome. The group currently has several openings.

We extend an invitation with a warm welcome to The Bee and Mr Nolte to come to a rehearsal, meet our members and director, and learn about this unique community-based group.

Respectfully,

Patricia Reinhardt, Manager

The Wind Ensemble of Western CT

54 Taunton Lake Road, Newtown                            February 7, 2009