It's sweet, sweet music at the golf course

These guys here play out of happiness. It's not about the money; it's about the happiness and joy and entertainment.”

Sid Hausen

When the Golden Tone Orchestra played the familiar beginning to Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood,” the crowd at the Merrick Golf Course came to life. Dancers swayed back and forth with their partners, enjoying the moment.

Rows of chairs lined the ballroom for the myriad guests hosted by the Golden Tone Orchestra, a 20-piece-band, on the first Wednesday of each month.

“Couples come here to enjoy the music that they grew up listening to,” said Sid Hausen, of Merrick, the band’s treasurer and agent. “A lot of these folks are in nursing homes, some have walkers, and others can walk perfectly fine. But when they hear the music, they dance as much as they can, and that’s what we love about it.”

Music poured from opened doors to the outside so passersby could hear. Band director Bob Ferrari introduced each song to prepare the crowd for the next fast-paced number, giving dancers the chance to catch their breath.

“When I was younger, we requested four slow songs to every fast-paced song,” Samuel Levine of Long Beach, a former president of the Nassau County Board of Judges and band member, said. “We wanted to hold each other close. Nowadays, people don’t know how to dance to this music anymore. That’s why we’re here –– to show them what they’re missing.”

The Golden Tone Orchestra has entertained Long Islanders for more than 40 years. The band used to comprise only members 70 years and older.

“That was until we hired Wayne Wieners,” Hausen laughed. At 52, Wieners is the band’s youngest member. “He’s this big guy with black hair and sideburns. So when he came in, I told him to sit between two other members with white hair. I said, ‘Just make believe you’re standing in between two white bookends.’”

Hausen estimated the band’s age average to be around 84 years old. Ferrari is the oldest member at 95. He stood for most of the band’s two-hour performance. “I pick the songs I know the crowd reacts to the most,” he said. “I know this group likes to dance, so I pick a good mix between fast and slow, but it’s pretty clear this group really likes the fast songs.”

Ferrari, whose passion for music began at a very young age, played with world-renowned jazz band leader and pianist Vincent Lopez. “He was one of the best guys around,” he recalled. Ferrari later belted out a few songs himself, as he’s one of three vocalists in the group.

“They call me Ray Dean, The Singin’ Machine,” Dean, of West Hempstead, a vocalist in the band, said with a wide smile. He sang slow songs. A World War II veteran, Dean takes inspiration from John Quinlan, who was a vocal teacher for Frank Sinatra. “This is something I look forward to each month. We all do. It brings us all together for a good time,” he said.

“These guys here play out of happiness,” Hausen said. “It’s not about the money; it’s about the happiness and joy and entertainment.” The band struck up a new song. “Excuse me,” he said, “I must go hear my wife sing.”

His wife, Barbara, took the microphone and sang for the crowd. Hausen grabbed a front row seat to watch her perform.

Bringing back the memories

Folks sat in the chairs along the dance floor. Irene Santulli, 90, was in the back. “If my legs worked, I would be up there dancing right now,” she said.

Santulli is part of The Bristal Assisted Living at Westbury group that travels to Merrick monthly to hear the Golden Tone Orchestra. “I look forward to this,” she said, moving her head back and forth to the music. “I’ll be coming here to listen to the music until I can’t be here anymore.”

Sherby Charles, an aide at the home, said some folks even count down the days until show time. “Each time we come here, that’s all they talk about for the next couple of days,” she said. “They’re always the chattiest on the bus ride back to Bristal. It’s a great feeling seeing them happy and enjoy an activity as much as this one.”

Hausen said each performance is a treat for all attendees. “We have the guy who co-invented the Moog synthesizer here in the band,” he said, referring to Herb Deutsch. He co-invented the synthesizer with Bob Moog in 1964. He has been with the band for five years and is an electronic music and composition professor at Hofstra University.

“It’s always a great feeling seeing everyone dance and come out just to see us,” Deutsch said. “I love music, and I love when others love music too.”

The Golden Tone Orchestra used to play regular performances at the Freeport Recreation Center on the first Wednesday of each month until Village of Freeport officials asked them to vacate the space. The band had played there for 10 years.

After a long search for a new space, Hausen and the band settled into the Merrick Golf Course. Now several local shops donate baked goods, bagels and coffee for the break at each monthly performance.

“We’re happy playing here now,” Hausen said. “We have the place all to ourselves. This is our official forever home. As long as the community wants us to play, we will play.”