“ We’ re only as strong as our weakest link, so everyone has to practice to keep up. Everyone takes responsibility for the performance of the band.”
The West Hills Symphonic Band has challenged musicians and entertained members of the community since 1967.
The band put on a special performance on March 5, in the Montour High School auditorium to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The free concert included two pieces that were performed at the band’ s premier concert at Montour in 1967, including an Italian march,“ Alba Sentimentale,” and the“ Washington Grays March.” Other pieces included music by Aaron Copeland and Duke Ellington.
“ This was a monster concert,” says the band’ s principal conductor Clem Rolin.“ We tried to pick some of the best literature to honor all those who were part of the band, and their families. We played some great stuff.”
The band had 57 members in 1967, and currently has approximately 75 musicians who regularly perform. The West Hills Symphonic Band has a deep roster with waiting lists for several sections. It has long had a reputation for excellence.“ Some of the best players in town were in this band,” says Rolin.
He feels that the band has remained popular throughout the decades because it’ s inclusive. About half the members are professional musicians while the other half are amateurs. The band members span all ages and come from all walks of life, including students, a psychologist, a police officer and a bus driver. After Rolin took over in 2009, he began giving the musicians pieces that engaged the professionals and challenged the amateurs.
“ We are not leaving anybody out,” Rolin says.“ We find that perfect literature so everybody’ s contributions are valued. That’ s what keeps people coming back.”
Putting on challenging performances also creates a sense of ownership by each musician, he adds. The challenge uplifts the band members, the conductor and the audience.
“ We’ re only as strong as our weakest link, so everyone has to practice to keep up,” says Rolin.“ Everyone takes responsibility for the performance of the band.”
Although they work hard, the band members also like to have fun.“ There’ s great camaraderie and we laugh at every rehearsal,” notes Rolin.“ The trick to having a pleasurable experience with music, I believe, is to switch seamlessly from having a good laugh to complete focus. We try to maintain a positive atmosphere at rehearsal so that everyone enjoys coming.”
The band is also successful because the members love the music— not their egos.
“ Everyone is here for the music,” Rolin says.“ No one is here for their own promotion. When you’ ve got a group like that, you’ ve got a winner.”
During the 1960s, the West Hills Symphonic Band reflected the strong Italian ethnic influence in the community. Now the band plays a wider variety of music, including jazz, marches, Broadway tunes, orchestral transcriptions, contemporary pieces and, on occasion, pop songs. The band also includes a German ensemble, a brass quartet and a Dixieland band.
“ Our biggest strength is our ability to play each style of music in character,” Rolin says.
The band plays four indoor concerts between October and May each year throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as five outdoor performances during the summer. Members rehearse together at West Allegheny High School for almost 12 hours to prepare for each concert. Rolin calls the Bach, Beethoven and Brunch show at Mellon Park one of his favorite events because as many as 2,000 people attend.
The band was also selected to perform at the American Concert Band Convention in Pittsburgh last year. More than 300 bands auditioned but only six were selected.
“ It was an honor to be accepted,” Rolin says.“ There were people from all 50 states there.”
Although the West Hills Symphonic Band now competes with many other entertainment options, the band will continue to thrive for another 50 years, according to Rolin.
“ There will always be the need for a good ensemble where people can express themselves musically,” he says.“ Civic community groups like ours are a big part of the American tradition of music.” n
West Allegheny | Spring 2017 | icmags. com 15