A Brief History of the Hendersonville Community Band
Early in 1991 retired Hendersonville High School band director Jim Stokes decided to advertise for musicians to form a community band. He was amazed when fifty volunteers showed up at the Hendersonville High School band room ready to play. They began rehearsals with Jim as conductor and presented their first concert on April 11, 1991. The Hendersonville Community Band was born.
Since the Premier Concert the band has presented an annual schedule of Fall, Holiday and Spring Concerts. A fourth concert to benefit local high school bands was later added, with the benefit rotating among the four high schools in Henderson County.The Hendersonville Community Band incorporated in 1992 and received 501-(c)-3 status from the IRS after having qualified as a non-profit organization.
Jim Stokes Scholarship Fund
A scholarship fund to help qualified Henderson County students attend band music camps was established in 1997. Scholarships are funded by the band and tax deductible contributions from individuals. Camp scholarships are awarded based on the musical accomplishments of band students in grades seven though twelve. The fund was named in honor of Jim Stokes to recognize his contribution as founder of the Hendersonville Community Band.
Since the Premier Concert the band has presented an annual schedule of Fall, Holiday and Spring Concerts. A fourth concert to benefit local high school bands was later added, with the benefit rotating among the four high schools in Henderson County.The Hendersonville Community Band incorporated in 1992 and received 501-(c)-3 status from the IRS after having qualified as a non-profit organization.
Jim Stokes Scholarship Fund
A scholarship fund to help qualified Henderson County students attend band music camps was established in 1997. Scholarships are funded by the band and tax deductible contributions from individuals. Camp scholarships are awarded based on the musical accomplishments of band students in grades seven though twelve. The fund was named in honor of Jim Stokes to recognize his contribution as founder of the Hendersonville Community Band.
In Memoriam
R. Paul Barber
Paul moved to Hendersonville in 2003 with his wife Fern from Farmington Hills, MI. He graduated from Redford High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Performance from The University of Michigan. His first and only teaching position was with Farmington Public Schools in band and orchestra at various levels. He started the Harrison High School Music Department and then became Director of Fine Arts until his retirement in 2003. Paul and Fern started The Farmington Community Band in 1966 and he served as the conductor until 2003.
Paul's extensive involvement in the Farmington Community included producing and conducting several Broadway shows, serving on numerous committees, organizing programs and seminars, serving as officers in city, county and state organizations, and performing with several music groups.
While in North Carolina he was a member of the Hendersonville, Brevard, and Asheville Community Bands, the Pyramid Brass Quintet, Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, and several musical groups. He became Conductor of the Brevard Community Band in Summer 2004 and the Hendersonville Community Band in Fall 2005, upon the retirement of Jim Stokes.
Paul passed away suddenly in the Fall of 2006. His wife Fern has continued with as many musical activities as possible. The R Paul Barber Music Education Scholarship is given in his honor through the Hendersonville Band Education Scholarship Program. This honor is given to a qualifiing Henderson County Senior who is majoring in Music Education at the College level.
Ralph H. Campbell
Ralph graduated from Wofford College and worked 43 years for the Social Security Administration, finishing his career as Asheville's Assistant District Manager. He enjoyed a 57 year perfect attendance membership in Kiwanis with 45 years in the Kiwanis Club of Asheville.
Having played French Horn in college, he joined the Asheville Community Band where he met a saxophonist named Marilyn Shellenberger whom he married in 1984. They both became charter members of community bands in Hendersonville and Brevard. Because music was so important in Ralph's life, memorials may be made to the scholarship fund of The Hendersonville Community Band as an encouragement for music majors to become dedicated band leaders. That can be done one the "Education and Support" page of this website.
Ralph graduated from Wofford College and worked 43 years for the Social Security Administration, finishing his career as Asheville's Assistant District Manager. He enjoyed a 57 year perfect attendance membership in Kiwanis with 45 years in the Kiwanis Club of Asheville.
Having played French Horn in college, he joined the Asheville Community Band where he met a saxophonist named Marilyn Shellenberger whom he married in 1984. They both became charter members of community bands in Hendersonville and Brevard. Because music was so important in Ralph's life, memorials may be made to the scholarship fund of The Hendersonville Community Band as an encouragement for music majors to become dedicated band leaders. That can be done one the "Education and Support" page of this website.
Joan Tripp
Joan was born on September 18, 1959 in Dixon, Illinois and was a 1981 graduate of Duke University. She was an avid runner, compassionate educator, and accomplished musician who enjoyed playing clarinet in the Hendersonville Community Band. A loving mother and beloved wife, Joan's number one priority was always her family.
Joan was born on September 18, 1959 in Dixon, Illinois and was a 1981 graduate of Duke University. She was an avid runner, compassionate educator, and accomplished musician who enjoyed playing clarinet in the Hendersonville Community Band. A loving mother and beloved wife, Joan's number one priority was always her family.
Board of Directors
A Board of Directors elected from its membership governs the Hendersonville Community Band. Ten voting members and the conductors serve on the board, which elects a president, secretary and treasurer. Board members usually serve as chairs of the various committees. All band members are encouraged to serve on committees. A volunteer librarian is appointed from within the band membership.
Officers
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Carol Talbot, President
John J. Williams, Treasurer and Publicity Marie Anderson, Secretary Sandy Smith, Ticket Sales Keeara Hughes-Allen, Social Media Manager and Website |
Wayne Fraederich, Business Manager
Mary Beth VanCleve, Librarian Elizabeth Rosenberg, Education and Ticket Sales |