Lifetime Service Award Given to Percussionist Daniel S. Diamond

Daniel S. Diamond
Percussion

In 2002 the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. At its 50th Anniversary Concert, it was awarded to Daniel S. Diamond.

His award plaque reads as follows:

Percussionist Dan Diamond joined the Band in 1970 and has served on its Board almost continuously since then. He has worked tirelessly as fundraiser, organizer of mailings, designer and printer of programs, posters and newsletters, mover of percussion equipment, liaison with outside organizations and on many other tasks. Along the way Dan has been responsible for many innovative improvements, such as the Band logo, the fundraising database, the production of concert and commercial CDs and videos, the Band’s mission statement, percussion cabinets, the pops raffle, the newsletter and the Lifetime Service Award program. The Band truly would not be where it is today without Dan’s thoughtful guidance and selfless contributions.

An Honor Roll is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby listing all those who have received this very special award.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), CarlGetz and Robert Turkington (2003), GeneParish and William R. Phelan (2004), EdRichter and Bill Siebert (2005), Jerry Welts (2006), Barbara Cataldo (2007) and Dr.William G. McManus (2008).

Lifetime Service Award to Retiring Music Director Dr. William G. McManus

Music Director Emeritus Dr Bill McManus

In 2002, the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. On October 25, 2008, the Lifetime Service Award will be given to Dr. William G. McManus, who retires at Music Director of the Concord Band after the 50th Anniversary concert in March.

His Award plaque will read as follows:

As Music Director of the Concord Band for the last 14 of its first 50 years, Dr. William G. McManus added substantially to the solid foundataion established by his legendary predecessor. He helped the Band achieve more than its members had realized was possible. He introduced world-class soloists and guest conductors. The commissions undertaken during his tenure were truly remarkable. In continuing to present to the community the best that the symphonic wind ensemble has to offer, Bill McManus's accomplishments were perhaps best summarized in a recent concert review: "He has honed a very good band into a super one.

An Honor Roll is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby listing all those who have received this very special award.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), CarlGetz and Robert Turkington (2003), GeneParish and William R. Phelan (2004), EdRichter and Bill Siebert (2005), Jerry Welts (2006), and Barbara Cataldo (2007).

Lifetime Service Award to be Given Posthumously to Barbara Cataldo

Barbara Cataldo

In 2002, the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band.  On October 27, 2007, the Concord Band Lifetime Service Award will be given posthumously to Barbara Cataldo.

Her Award plaque, the first the Band will have given to honor a woman, will read as follows:

Until her death in a December, 1996, auto accident, Barbara Cataldo served the Concord Band for over 32 years. With terms as secretary and principal flutist during the Band's celebratory US Bicentennial events, she played in the 1964 Sixth Winter Concert and every concert through October 26, 1996. Band was a family affair—Barbara's husband, oboist Ralph, as Band secretary, signed the Band's Declaration of Trust in 1968. The Band dedicated its first CD, A Winter Festival, to Barbara and Ralph. From appearances at Emerson Jr. High School, the Buttrick Mansion at Minuteman National Park, Lake Kiamesha, NY, and the Concord Library lawn to 51 Walden, Faneuil Hall and Fruitlands Museum, Barbara described her time in the Band as a "long, happy, fantastic, musical trip." Indeed, she helped make it so.

An Honor Roll is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), CarlGetz and Robert Turkington (2003), GeneParish and William R. Phelan (2004), EdRichter and Bill Siebert (2005), and Jerry Welts (2006).

Lifetime Service Award to Jeremy Welts

Jeremy Welts
trombone

In 2002, the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. An Honor Roll has been created and is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby to keep these individuals in our collective long-term memory. On October 28, 2006, the Concord Band Lifetime Service Award will be given in memory of Jeremy Welts.

His Award plaque will read as follows:

From 1963 until 2000, Jerry Welts was what music directors hope for: outstanding musician, mentor to younger players, selfless section leader and effective Board member. Bill Toland, Music Director during most of Jerry's time with the Band, recalls that Jerry's trombonists were rotated among parts to keep playing interesting for all of them, but always so that an appropriate player was assigned to each part. For a number of years, Jerry took responsibility for lugging and setting up the Band's very heavy sound system. He also arranged Trombumba/Bossa for trombone choir and band, performed in 1998. We are pleased to honor the memory of Jeremy Welts for his many contributions to the Concord Band.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), Carl Getz and Robert Turkington (2003), Gene Parish and William R. Phelan (2004) and Ed Richter and Bill Siebert (2005).

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), CarlGetz and Robert Turkington (2003), GeneParish and William R. Phelan (2004), and EdRichter and Bill Siebert (2005).

Lifetime Service Awards to Richter and Siebert

In 2002 the Concord Band Board of Directors introduced the Lifetime Service Award, intended to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band.  On October 29, 2005, Concord Band Lifetime Service Awards will be given to Edwin W. Richter and William M. Siebert. Their Award plaques will read as follows:

Ed Richter
trombone

During his three decades as a member of the Concord Band, until his retirement in 2002, Edwin Richter was a solid player, not only on his baritone horn, but as a fully involved Band member. He served on the Band’s Board of Directors, acting simultaneously as Band Manager and representative to the FOPAC Board. He designed and built lighting systems for outdoor evening concerts and collected invaluable memoirs from Band members for presentation to retiring Music Director William Toland. Ed’s late wife Margaret and their children assisted in many band activities. The Concord Band is pleased to honor Edwin Richter for his years of wonderful good humor, dedicated service and fine musicianship.

Bill Siebert
clarinet

Clarinetist William M. Siebert was one of the founding members of the Concord Band in 1959 and served on its Board. In its early days, before it became a strictly concert organization, Bill enjoyed marching with the Band in the Patriots and Memorial Day parades. Bill recalls a time when the Band was happy when more than 20 members attended rehearsals! A founder and Board member of FOPAC, he helped convince the town of Concord to permit the conversion of the old Veterans Building into the successful Performing Arts Center that it has been since 1975. Throughout Bill’s tenure in the Concord Band his thoughtful opinions were helpful in guiding the Band’s mission.

An Honor Roll has been created and is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby to keep these individuals in our collective long-term memory.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), Carl Getz and Robert Turkington (2003), and Gene Parish and William R. Phelan (2004).

Lifetime Service Awards to Parish and Phelan

In 2002, the Concord Band Board of Directors introduced the Lifetime Service Award, intended to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. Each Award is expressed in the form of a brief paragraph summing up that individual's contribution. On October 30th, Concord Band Lifetime Service Awards will be given to Gene Parish and William R. Phelan.

Gene Parish
sousaphone

Gene Parish played tuba with the Concord Band from its first appearance at the 1959 Patriot's Day Parade until the end of 2003. In addition to his contributions as Band president, FOPAC board representative, Band historian, and musician, Gene has provided hands-on support for every Band endeavor, often accompanied by his wife Harriet, who regularly assisted with Pops and concert receptions. An active ambassador for the Band, Gene appeared in numerous publicity photos thanks to his ready smile and the huge Sousaphone wrapped around his shoulders. The Concord Band salutes Gene Parish for his many years of enthusiastic service.

The Concord Band has long been blessed with many extraordinarily dedicated members. An exemplar among them is trumpeter Bill Phelan. Bill, who joined the band in 1964, was not only a valued musician (he once studied with the cornet soloist from John Philip Sousa's band); he was also one of the few individuals to serve more than three terms on the Concord Band's Board of Directors. A gifted carpenter, Bill built stage risers for the trumpet section and helped with several other construction projects that will benefit the Band for years to come. Retiring after nearly forty years of service to the Concord Band, his quiet dedication and generosity will continue to inspire members for generations.

An Honor Roll has been created and is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby to keep these individuals in our collective long-term memory.

Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), and Carl Getz and Robert Turkington (2003).

Lifetime Service Awards to Getz and Turkington

In 2002, the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award, intended to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. Each Award is expressed in the form of a brief paragraph summing up that individual's contribution. On November 1st, Concord Band Lifetime Service Awards will honor Carl W. Getz and the late Robert E. Turkington.

Carl Getz
percussion

Carl Getz, past President and Band Manager of the Concord Band, was originally a flutist. In 1961, he attended a rehearsal to listen and decide whether to purchase a new flute and join the Band. Asked if he played percussion instruments, Carl said no, but he agreed to sit in with the Band to learn how. With the encouragement, advice, patience and friendship of Music Director William Toland, Carl played the bass drum, cymbals, mallet instruments and what he liked to call "kindergarten toys" until his retirement in 1996. For 35 years, Carl's musicianship and leadership proved him to be a devoted and tireless Band and Board member for generations of others to emulate.

Robert Turkington
trumpet

Throughout his 38 years as trumpeter with the Concord Band, Robert Turkington served in many capacities, from Band Manager to Treasurer. Whether in his regular seat toward the back of the Band or soloing up front with a brass quintet or Dixieland group, Bob was a solid performer. A persevering worker behind the scenes and an enthusiastic ambassador for the Band, he willingly undertook many assignments, often with his family's help, as when his wife Jean organized the annual Holiday Pops. From his first rehearsal in 1960 until his death in July 1998, Bob contributed immensely to the Band's distinction as an outstanding community music organization.

An Honor Roll has been created and is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby to keep these individuals in our collective long-term memory. The first two Awards went to Bill Burdine and William M. Toland.

Inaugural Lifetime Service Awards

Bill Burdine

William M. Toland

Lifetime Service Awards to Burdine and Toland

More than a year ago, the Concord Band Board of Directors decided that the time had become right to begin acknowledging publicly outstanding individual efforts on behalf of the Band, and began planning what has become the Concord Band Lifetime Service Award.

The Board's intention is to name individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, have made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. Each Award will be expressed in the form of a sentence or two summing up that individual's contribution. An Honor Roll will be created and placed prominently on display in the 51 Walden Lobby, in this way keeping all of these individuals in our collective long-term memory.

At its Fall Concert on October 26, the Band will initiate the Lifetime Service Award by honoring two very worthy retired members of the Band: bassoonist Bill Burdine and Music Director Emeritus William M. Toland.