Community Band, special guests delight crowd

District 30 Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Stirling admits that while there is some musical talent in his family, he has never picked up an instrument. That changed when Stirling, fellow superintendents Dr. Bill Heidenreich and Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund, and Mayor Ed Fare joined the Valley Stream Community Band for a special performance last week.

Fare and the three superintendents picked up various instruments to play along with the band for one song on July 30. It was Kids Night at the John Smith Bandshell on the Village Green, featuring a variety of songs appealing to the younger generation including “Over the Rainbow” and “A Disneyland Celebration.”

The foursome stood behind the band and played blocks, cowbells and tambourines to “Lady Gaga Mix,” an arrangement by Jay Dawson and Tom Wallace. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” Stirling said, “and it was wonderful participating in the arts.

“I don’t think this will be a second career for me,” he added.

The Community Band is made up of dozens of local musicians. Most of them are current or former high school district students, as well as music teachers from Valley Stream’s 14 public schools and other area residents who just enjoy sharing their talent with the concert-going public. They are conducted by Todd Holly, the high school district’s coordinator of fine and performing arts.

Stirling, who attended the concert for the first time, said he was very impressed with the skill level of the band. He said it is proof that music is an integral part of the educational system.

For Heidenreich, this was his third time joining a Community Band performance. Two years ago he also played an instrument, and last year he served as a guest conductor. “It’s one of the highlights of the summer,” he said of the Kids Night concert.

Robb-Fund also played two years ago, shortly after she had been hired as superintendent of District 13. She said she was excited to be invited back and went on stage just to have some fun.