Gainesville Community Band

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Gainesville Community Band In 1978, the Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution designating the GCB as the Official Comm

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶This week, we’re getting to know Claudia Brill, a longtime member of the Gainesville Commun...
10/12/2026

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶

This week, we’re getting to know Claudia Brill, a longtime member of the Gainesville Community Band who has been making music with GCB for an incredible 40 years! 🎶

Claudia began playing the piccolo in 3rd grade, and her love of music has continued throughout her life. One of her favorite pieces performed by the band is Tree City Fanfare, composed by Richard Bowles, the director of bands at the University of Florida.

But Claudia’s musical talents don’t stop with the piccolo! She also plays the contrabass flute in flute orchestras, bringing her love of music to a unique and beautiful instrument.

Outside of music, Claudia enjoys spending time with her large family and serving as a co-leader of a women’s Bible study. Family, community, and music all play an important role in her life.

Claudia, thank you for sharing your talents and for being part of the Gainesville Community Band for four wonderful decades! We’re so grateful to have you making music with us. ❤️🎶

🥁🎶 Get ready for A NIGHT OF PERCUSSION! 🎶🥁The Gainesville Pops and Community Band percussion sections are coming togethe...
10/10/2026

🥁🎶 Get ready for A NIGHT OF PERCUSSION! 🎶🥁

The Gainesville Pops and Community Band percussion sections are coming together for an exciting evening of rhythm, energy, and music! Join us as Crescendo Momentum takes the stage for a special performance in St. Patrick’s Church’s Third Friday Concert Series.

From marimbas to timpani and everything in between, it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the incredible sounds and talent of our percussion musicians! 🥁✨

📅 Friday, November 20, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM (Vespers at 6:40 PM)
📍 St. Patrick’s Church
500 NE 16th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601

Bring a friend, invite the family, and come enjoy a night celebrating the power of percussion and the joy of live music!

We hope to see you there! ❤️🎵

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶This Monday, we’d like to introduce you to Frank Curtis, our talented tenor saxophone playe...
10/05/2026

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶

This Monday, we’d like to introduce you to Frank Curtis, our talented tenor saxophone player and a longtime member of the Gainesville Community Band! 🎷

Frank has been playing with GCB for 34 years, and it’s the only band he’s ever played with. He picked up the saxophone around the age of 33, beginning on alto saxophone before eventually playing tenor. He’s been making music ever since!

But music is just one part of Frank’s creative life. He’s been making art since he was 15 years old and earned a degree in photography from the University of Florida. He currently participates in several art shows each year and has served as the director of Art Walk Gainesville for 16–17 years. 📸

And if that wasn’t enough, Frank has also been a motorcyclist for more than 50 years and spent 12 years teaching motorcycle training! 🏍️

When asked about his life and experiences, Frank shared:

“I must say I’ve been very lucky in my life to do all the things I want to do.”

We couldn’t agree more that it’s a wonderful thing to pursue the passions that bring you joy! Frank, thank you for being part of the Gainesville Community Band for so many years and for sharing your story with us. We’re grateful to make music alongside you! ❤️🎷

🎶 Happy International Music Day! 🎶Today we celebrate the power of music to bring people together, create community, and ...
10/01/2026

🎶 Happy International Music Day! 🎶

Today we celebrate the power of music to bring people together, create community, and make life a little brighter. ❤️

For more than 50 years, the Gainesville Community Band has been making music, building friendships, and sharing the joy of live music with our community.

We’re grateful for every musician, volunteer, supporter, and audience member who helps keep the music playing. 🎺🎵

Here’s to the music that connects us all!

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday 🎶This week, we’re shining the spotlight on our wonderful flutist, Nikki Cochran! Nikki has be...
09/28/2026

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday 🎶

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on our wonderful flutist, Nikki Cochran!

Nikki has been making music with Gainesville Community Band for an incredible 34 years, joining at just 17 years old, fresh out of high school! Her musical journey began in middle school at Howard Bishop, continued through Gainesville High School, and led to a flute scholarship at Santa Fe.

When asked about her favorite piece to perform with GCB, Nikki chose Irish Tune, a piece that takes her right back to her high school band days and reminds her of her amazing band directors, Martha Stark and Mary Ann Sickon. 💜

Flute is Nikki’s one and only instrument, though she did give piano a try. Her instructor eventually “fired her for not practicing”! 🤣🎹

Outside of making music, Nikki loves spending time with her amazing family, going to church, kayaking, sharing meals, and watching movies.

We’re so grateful to have Nikki as part of our GCB family! Thank you for sharing your love of music with us, Nikki! 🎶

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶This week, we’re getting to know Geoff Spiegel, who has been making music with the Gainesvi...
09/21/2026

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶

This week, we’re getting to know Geoff Spiegel, who has been making music with the Gainesville Community Band for longer than he can remember — approximately 30 years!

Geoff has been playing trombone since 4th grade, which means he’s been at it for an incredible 62 years. These days, you’ll find him playing alto, tenor, or bass trombone with GCB. As for other instruments? He says, “As stated, Alto, Tenor, and Bass Trombone. I’ll stick to that as enough!” 😄

Over the years, Geoff has had several favorites, including Arlington, Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, and Joyful and Triumphant, a Christmas tune he arranged specifically for the band.

When he’s not making music, Geoff enjoys one of life’s simple pleasures: sitting around with great friends over a STELLAR bottle of w**e. 🍷

We’re grateful for all the years of music, friendship, and memories Geoff has brought to the Gainesville Community Band! 🎶💙

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶This week, meet Karen Dishman, our wonderful flute player who has been part of the Gainesvi...
09/14/2026

🎶 Meet the Musician Monday! 🎶

This week, meet Karen Dishman, our wonderful flute player who has been part of the Gainesville Community Band since 1982! 💙🎵

Karen started playing flute at age 11 and enjoys playing piccolo on marches and alto flute with the Gainesville Flute Ensemble. When asked about her favorite GCB piece, she couldn’t pick just one—she’s loved almost everything we’ve played!

Karen joined GCB with her fiancé, a professional trumpet player and band director. They married in 1983 and made music together until his passing in 2018. Karen says she stayed with GCB for the “soothing love of music and my band family.” ❤️

Outside of music, Karen is a voracious reader, loves her friends and chocolate 🍫, and enjoys the beauty and peace of the mountains. After 36 years as a school guidance counselor, she still especially misses spending time with young people.

We’re so thankful Karen has been part of our GCB family for more than four decades! 🎵❤️

09/13/2026

Going into this week with our best foot forward! 🎶

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for today’s concert! 🎶💙We’re so grateful for your support and loved maki...
09/13/2026

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for today’s concert! 🎶💙

We’re so grateful for your support and loved making music for you. And a special thank you to our wonderful guest vocalist, Elaina Rodriguez, for joining us and making the afternoon even more special! 🎤✨

We hope you had as much fun listening as we did playing! 🎺🎷❤️

In memoriamApril R. Zink; August 25th 1966- April 27th 2026 There are individuals whose strength of character remains un...
05/25/2026

In memoriam
April R. Zink; August 25th 1966- April 27th 2026
There are individuals whose strength of character remains unwavering, regardless of the challenges they face. They accept life’s trials without complaint and move forward with quiet resilience and dignity. April was one such person.

For several years, she courageously faced cancer and even while undergoing treatment, she remained devoted to her music. She continued to practice and to play her trumpet, demonstrating remarkable determination and grace. Her perseverance and spirit were a profound source of inspiration to all who knew her.

April will be deeply missed. She will be remembered for her warm, radiant smile, her unique charm and her gentle playful nature. Her presence touched many lives and her memory will endure with great affection and respect.

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Gainesville, FL
32605

Telephone

(352) 225-3882

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