Hosea Taylor Jr. Memorial Community Band
Ages 8 – Adult, minimum one year of playing recommended
D
irectors: Will Frazier and Jimmie Highsmith Jr
Every other Saturday, time TBA
July 1 15 & 29
August 12 & 26
September 9 & 23
October 7 & 21
November 4 & 18
December 2 & 16
Location: East High School, 1801 Main St. E., Rochester, NY 14609
Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) of the Eastman School of Music, together with Grammy-nominated, Rochester-based Musician Jimmie Highsmith Jr, are proud to announce the creation of the Hosea Taylor Jr. Memorial Community Band.
“Hosea Taylor Jr. was a true champion for our community,” shares Highsmith Jr., “I witnessed him give away musical instruments and lessons for free to so many youths of Rochester, New York. His dedication to mentorship and the undeniable fact that music brings people together is the driving force behind this band’s creation.”
The program is open to any City of Rochester resident aged eight and above, and to all levels of experience. Rehearsals will be held at East High every other Saturday beginning in June, throughout the summer, and will include performances throughout the community. Mentorship and fellowship are a priority of the band, led by director Will Frazier, co-directed by Highsmith Jr, with teachers and volunteer, and musical mentors including Gateways Music Festivals’ Director of Programs (and former ROCmusic Director) Armand Hall, and RPO and Gateways performer Herb Smith (both graduates of Eastman).
“Eastman Community Music School has been in the heart of downtown since the first days of our existence. We are proud of many programs that we offer on campus as well as our partnerships with educational and cultural institutions in the City of Rochester,” shares Petar Kodzas, Associate Dean and Director of the Eastman Community Music School. “This grassroots project, imagined by Jimmie Highsmith Jr., embodies our goals to bring music to all corners of Rochester, serve students of all ages and generations, and strengthen our community with the gift of music.”
“The Hosea Taylor Jr. Memorial Concert Band is great way to get the students engaged and form unity in the community,” shares Barbara Groszewski, Senior Location Manager at First Student. “First Student is honored to be a part of this program to provide the transportation needed to be get the students to the program.
The band creation is made possible through the partnership of Eastman Community Music School, Jimmie Highsmith Jr., City of Rochester, ROCmusic, East High School, First Student, and Rochester City School District. The Hosea Taylor Jr., Memorial Community Concert Band is graciously underwritten by Judy and Bill Rose.
Schedule:
11:00am – 11:40 am Shuttle bus will pick up musicians from various R-Centers (exact timeline TBD)
12 pm – 12:45 pm Breakout sectional rehearsals with assigned mentors.
1 pm – 1:45 pm Full band rehearsal with Director Will Frazier.
1:45 pm to 2 pm Clean-up time.
2 pm Musicians will be dismissed to their shuttle buses and their transportation.
How to Register
Please click here to register: Registration Form
Paper registration forms available at the R-Centers, or upon request: (585) 274-1400
Once registered, students may begin attending rehearsals. Once you complete registration, program administration will contact you.
