Newmarket
October 11, 2008 09:42 PM
By: Teresa Latchford
There is still hope for those who haven’t tooted their horn since high school.
Just ask Newmarket resident Joe Mariconda.
Mr. Mariconda, 50, has been playing his clarinet, on and off, for the past 10 years.
He plugged away trying to teach himself while racking his brain for the lessons taught in high school music class, before breaking down and hiring a teacher for private lessons.
“She suggested I try out for the Newmarket Citizens Band,” he explained.
“I was very humbled when I went to see them play.”
Feeling his skills were not quite up to snuff to join the local musicians, he decided there must be other adults in the area who wanted to jump back into music, but weren’t sure how.
He networked and found 13 others who, if given the chance, would join a band to refresh their skills.
So the Newmarket Stepping Stone band became a reality.
“People will come in with rusty skills and we will knock some of the rust off,” he laughed. “It’s a gateway before going on to play with a band like the Newmarket Citizens Band.”
The band is strictly for adults who haven’t touched their wind or percussion instruments since high school graduation or are looking for entry level instruction, he said, adding you can learn to play the trumpet, trombone, french horn, baritone, tuba, saxophone, clarinet, percussion, flute, oboe and bassoon while making new friends and filling your life with music.
The band rehearses every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Each session is 10 weeks, with sessions planned for fall, winter and spring.
For more information about the band or how to join, contact Joe Mariconda at 905-836-4039 or visit
joemariconda.webs.com