Member Name:

Tim Spanganberg

Year Joined Community Band:

2004

Spouse / Sig Other, Children:

My wife Annette, two daughters Kristin and Alyssa and my son Steven,

Work / Profession (if retired, former):

Software Engineer

Personal Pursuits:

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

Camping, fishing, history, Shakespearean and American theatre, gardening, football, Halloween and creative writing.

Music Background:

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

I started playing the trumpet in the 4^th grade and was given my mother’s old instrument to use. While the instrument appeared fine it hadn’t been maintained in years and the tuning slides were hopelessly fused. Repeated requests by the band director to get it fixed went unheeded and my glaringly out of tune instrument caused some decline in my enthusiasm.  I decided to take piano lessons at the same time and managed to turn out a recital or two over a couple years until my interest in that waned as well. It seemed my days of torturous musical attempts were over. Then, at the beginning of my 6^th grade year Mr. Douglass (band director at Penfield’s Bay Trail middle school) had a tuba player from Eastman come in and demonstrate the instrument for the class. Our band had no tuba player and Mr. Douglass was hoping to peak some interest. I remember listening to him play and thinking the tuba must be the coolest instrument in the world. I expressed interest in playing it after class that day, hoping my parents would let me try. There was some skepticism on all fronts, myself included, but Mr. Douglass was very encouraging, even after I couldn’t play a single note during the first band class. I eventually got the hang of it and played continuously from then through high school. I played in the concert band, orchestra, jazz ensemble and several brass quartet and quintets. I took private lessons from Ned Corman (Penfield High music director) on and off during high school and didn’t ever really pay attention to the impact he was having on my playing. As a band director he was the best, as a person he was like no other. A unique individual that has inspired many to great careers. I didn’t consider him a mentor at the time but hindsight has shown me his wonderful influence on my life and appreciation for music.  I played a lot during school but never really took it very seriously. I liked doing it but never thought of it as more than just something I did at school. So, after graduation I put it down, for 18 years. Now, playing again I can appreciate what I was taught then and can build on it, even after such a long absence.

Other Bands Play(ed) With:

Tuba Christmas

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

Being a part of a musical experience and knowing that I’m contributing to that sound in amplitudes of tone, pitch, technique and enthusiasm.

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

Big band, movie tunes.