About the Band
Marquee at the Arlington Theater
March 15, 2003
"Music washes away the dust of everyday life." -Art Blakey
The Prime Time Band started as an informal organization in August, 1995, and became a nonprofit corporation on July 1, 1999.
The mission of the Prime Time Band is to provide an opportunity for adults 50 years of age and older to:
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Experience the joy of playing a musical instrument or enhance their existing ability to play an instrument within a band setting.
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Perform concert band music for the enjoyment of themselves and the community.
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Enhance musical appreciation and education for persons of all ages. Concerts are provided free to the community.
Over the past 10 years it has become increasingly respected as a community concert band in its home town of Santa Barbara, California. The band is an affiliate of the New Horizons International Music Association of Rochester, New York. Other New Horizons Bands are located throughout the United States and in Australia. Because of a local name conflict, the Santa Barbara band is instead named the Prime Time Band.
Leadership
No
organization can run smoothly without the help of many people. Some of those who assist the Prime Time Band are:
| Conductor | Jeffrey Peterson |
|---|---|
| "Pops" Band Conductor | J. B. Vander Ark |
| Band Manager | Toni Straka |
| The Board of Directors: | provides leadership and direction to the band |
| Bugle [Bulletin Board] | The former printed Bugle is now an online Bulletin Board for band members. Links are provided to the band calendar, Quarternotes, the quarterly email version of the Bugle, and other items are provided. |
| Website: | Mary MacDonald designed the website. John Calder is the webmaster. |
| Music Samples | Dick Curtis provides short clips of favorite pieces under "Music Sample." |
| Other assistance | is provided regularly by various other band members. This all helps the band to run smoothly. |
Participation
& Fees
The
band is open to new participants. The only requirement is that of age. A
person may join the band anytime during the calendar year during which their
50th birthday occurs. Participants must also sign a liability
release waiver in order to participate. Monthly fees are $25. They are paid at the beginning of each quarter.
This
money supports the cost of professional leadership, a practice site, music,
concert costs, band shirts, etc.
Meeting
Place and Times
Prime Time Band meets at La Colina Jr. High School,
4025 Foothill Road on Tuesday nights from 6:45pm - 9:00pm.
Rehearsals
and Concerts:
The
band rehearses 50 weeks a year – taking time off only over the year-end
holidays. Between 8 and 10 free concerts are played each year by the two
Prime Time Bands.
Two free concerts are performed by the Prime Time Band led by Jeffrey Peterson. These concerts are (usually) held at San Marcos High School Auditorium. The Summer Pops Concert is performed in June; the Winter Concert is performed in early December. These concerts are open to the public at no charge. Free refreshments are served after these concerts. In addition, throughout the year, the Prime Time Band performs other concerts. They have a summer parks schedule and also occasionally perform for private groups. This band is very large (about 70 players at each concert), so ample space must be available.
In addition, the "Pops" Band, a smaller band comprised of some band members, is available to play at smaller venues. This band was started in 2007 by J.B. Vander Ark. They perform several times a year at local retirement homes and other spots around town.
Check the Concert Schedule link at left or below for upcoming concerts.
If you are interested in scheduling a concert, the contacts for each band are listed in the Other Links section of the web site.