Member Name:

Ray Wartinger

Year Joined Community Band:

1988

Spouse / Sig Other, Children:

Wife: Pat, sons: John, Dan, Frank

Work / Profession (if retired, former):
 

Software Engineer at Vanteon Corp. in Pittsford

Personal Pursuits:

(such as: sports/recreation, volunteer work, hobbies, crafts, family activities, special accomplishments)
 

Astronomy, Sailing, Amateur Radio
  

Music Background:

(such as: your start, experience, education, mentor, inspiration, interesting or humorous personal story, accomplishments)

Started on clarinet in 6^th or 7^th grade in Dayton, Ohio, and picked up saxophone once I entered high school.  Played in all the usual high school bands, musicals, and several outside concert bands, local theater groups, and jazz groups around town.  Our high school jazz band director was very inspirational and encouraged us to stretch our technical and expressive skills.  He also included some of us in his own jazz band to give us valuable experience outside of school.  After college, I didn’t play for over 10 years, until I showed up at one of the first rehearsals of the Honeoye Falls Community Concert Band.  This has also led to several years playing with the Honeoye Falls Community Big Band, numerous HFL musicals, and lots of other musical opportunities.
 

Other Bands Play(ed) With:

Currently I play tenor sax with the Gateswingers, an 18-piece big band based in Gates, NY.  I also play in pit orchestras for 4-6 musicals a year with a number of different theatre groups.
 

What you most enjoy, or find especially fulfilling, about being a part of Community Band:
 

The challenge and satisfaction of making music, socializing, meeting new people.
 

Of the music we play, is there a type or piece that is your favorite:

We have played some very dramatic and expressive pieces very effectively.  That’s when the band really comes together as an ensemble.  Its very satisfying to play well and to know the band sounds great.