Community band members Brenna Fraser, Paul Beaton, Ian Brown, and Vicki Fimiani performing at Gould’s 2023 Yulefest concert. Submitted

BETHEL — Across its performances, the Mahoosic Community Band has seen some new members added to its ranks. These new members include students from Gould Academy. “Gould doesn’t have enough students that play band to have a band,” said Scott Hynek, president of the community band. “It’s a good thing for all of us.”

The idea to merge the bands was presented by Peter Southam, who has been both a member of the Gould band and the community band. “It was a natural suggestion on this part to merge the two,” said Hynek. At the time of the arrangement, the community band was looking for a venue for rehearsals, as well as a conductor. Through Southam’s suggestion, Hynek talked to Gould’s head of band at the time, James Mclaughlin. An agreement was reached – the community band could practice at Gould, and Gould students could join the band.

“We get a place to practice, they get somebody to practice with. We both get a conductor,” said Hynek. When it comes to focus, the band does its best to be equal opportunity when it comes to focus. “We tend to divide the parts up so you don’t have the same guy playing first all the time,” said Hynek. The large skill range of all members allows for part division, so both Bethel citizens and Gould students are given equal chances to shine.

Hynek has described the arrangement as beneficial for both the students and the citizens in the band. “We have all skill levels in our band, and all skill levels in the students,” he said. It gives each group a chance to learn from the other.

“They’ll pick it up by osmosis if nothing else,” Hynek added. When it comes to the makeup of the band, there is at least an 80-year-age-range. “We have freshman that are 14, 15, and we got a guy that’s 96,” said Hynek. There has been a positive reception from the students, as Jim Chander said, “We have had many local students and it has improved their enjoyment of music and some have become music teachers , composers or conductors and some play with us in the summer or after they graduate.”

While this year’s Yulefest lacked a performance from the community band due to weather issues, the community band remains a p0int of collaboration between Gould Academy and the local community.

While there are only Gould students at the moment, Telstar students are also welcome to join the community band. Chandler said, “Since the beginning of our community band one of our major goals is to encourage music and musicians in the school. We are currently blessed with many students from Gould but we encourage students from SAD 44 to join us at rehearsal on Monday nights.”