Skilled musicians tuned up woodwinds, brass, percussion and other instruments.
For the 25th straight year, the Greater Greenwood Community Band opened up rehearsals and prepared for a new season. Members new and old joined together to start working on the program for their upcoming concert.
Just as it has since 1993, the group will again feature the distinguished talent that has made it one of the most well-respected bands in the region.
For new band director Randy Greenwell, it’s an ideal situation to step into.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We’ve talked about continuing the process of musical growth,” he said. “Anybody who conducts a musical ensemble, you want to feel like you’re making forward progress. (The band) has done a great job over the past 12 years; it’s just a matter of continuing that process.
With more than 30 years leading Indiana bands at all levels, Greenwell has stepped into his new role with the Greater Greenwood Community Band. Greenwell takes over from Thom Dirks, who had served as the band’s director since 2007 and was ready to retire.
The hope is for Greenwell to carry on the tradition of success that has defined the band for decades, as well as continue its trajectory as one of the most innovative and competitive community groups in the region.
“I think we really have contributed to the growth of the community. The quality of the group is getting stronger and stronger, and bigger and bigger,” Dirks said. “We have a few more people every year who move into the community and are surprised that we have a band here.”
“One of the things that struck me about this group is that the participation is very, very strong. I’ve done guest conducting with other community bands where this is not the case.”
— Randy Greenwell, new band director
Under Dirks’ leadership, the Greater Greenwood Community Band has surged in membership and visibility. More than 90 volunteer musicians are now members who regularly participate in concerts and events throughout the year.
The band has become more involved in competitions and festivals in Indiana as well as around the Midwest, increasing its reputation in the music community.
Last June, more than 72 members of the group, as well as others from Zionsville and Indianapolis, traveled to the Netherlands to perform.
“Thom and I have really had a good rapport working together, and it has, in the last seven or eight years to be a good contender in the state. We’re well-known throughout the state,” said Ora Pemberton, assistant director for the band. “We certainly wanted someone who had our ideas of promotion to keep the band moving forward. We did not want to lose what we had gained for years.”
Greenwell retired in 2017 as band director and performing arts department chair at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, where he had been for 23 years. Under his leadership, the band made 22 Indiana State School Music Association state marching finals, finishing with nine runner-up appearances and four state championships.
The Lawrence Central band has also been a Bands of America Grand National finalist 18 times, serving as champions twice.
His final responsibility before retiring was leading the students at the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.
After his retirement, Greenwell accepted as job as an educational support manager for Conn-Selmer, an instrument-maker based in Elkhart. He crossed the Midwest, working with high school band directors to put on educational initiatives and clinics.
“I still work with kids, still work with bands. But just a little bit different role,” he said. “I had been looking for a way after retiring to give back to the activity and try to help these educators help collegiate kids going into this business.”
But Greenwell’s new role did not supersede his passion for band direction. He had spent time last year conducting the Indianapolis Symphonic Band.
One of the musicians that he worked with was also part of the Greater Greenwood Community Band, who mentioned that there might be an opportunity to fill the director’s role in the future.
“The community band is such an iconic thing for adults, teenagers and young people, because it shows them that there are things you can do with regards to the expressive quality of the arts that goes beyond your high school or college days,” he said. “It’s a really important part of our culture.”
Through his involvement in high school and other band competitions over his career, Greenwell was acquainted with Dirks and others in the Greater Greenwood band.
“I’ve known Thom for more than 30 years from competing against each other, and had the utmost respect for him,” Greenwell said. “The thing about the music business is that it’s a very small fraternity, and it’s amazing how connected everybody is.”
With Greenwell agreeing to take over as band director of the Greenwood group, he, Dirks and Pemberton worked together with the other members to transition leadership.
“When Thom decided to retire, we got together and talked about possibilities for recruiting another director,” Pemberton said. “Randy’s name came up, and we automatically know if we could get Randy interested in our program, that would be the ticket for us.”
With Dirks and Pemberton to help in the transition, the start of the new season has been seamless, Greenwell said. Moving forward, his goal is to keep the upward trajectory the band has been on for the past decade.
Musically, he wants to keep challenging members with fresh and exciting pieces and arrangements. He also wants to keep bringing in new musicians to ensure the membership stays strong.
And Greenwell wants to keep making connections within central Indiana — at concerts, festivals and other events — that have strengthened the ties to music fans throughout the area.
“One of the things that struck me about this group is that the participation is very, very strong. I’ve done guest conducting with other community bands where this is not the case,” Greenwell said. “That speaks to what Thom and Ora have done, and how the community has wrapped itself around the organization.”
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Greater Greenwood Community Band
March 6: Warren Central Band Festival, 7 to 9 p.m., Warren Central Performing Arts Center, 9500 E. 16th St., Indianapolis; free to attend
April 15: Spring concert, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Greenwood Community High School, 615 W. Smith Valley Road; free to attend
May 20: Outdoor concert, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Greenwood Amphitheater, Surina Square Park, 100 Surina Way; free to attend
Information: greenwoodband.org
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