Press and Media
Press announcements from the Castro Valley Community Band and a record of past media coverage are found here.
The Daily Review - December 12, 1984
Renaissance of C.V. band unites young and old
By Jan Flanery, Staff writer
CASTRO VALLEY - The Boston Pops it's not -- but the little 40-piece band some members call "the best-kept secret in Castro Valley" is providing more than music for its members and audiences.
The Castro Valley Community Band, which has played together on and off since the late 1940s, is in a revival era that has brought together young and old, just for the love of music.
Band members range from 12 to 72. But as Doris Scott, a flute player who describes herself only as a "senior citizen," puts it, "It seems that age doesn't make so much difference with music."
Members say the concert band is enjoying a renaissance under the leadership of Tony Morelli, a 56-year-old music teacher at Bancroft Junior High in San Leandro and the director of the Hayward Municipal Band.
Morelli takes a generous attitude twoard the people who join his band, which meets every Wednesday night in a Castro Valley Adult School class.
"We have no restrictions -- you just learn on the job," he says.
"We have doctors, lawyers, real estate people -- people in high-powered jobs. They come here and look forward to this once-a-week thing because it's a real enjoyable thing -- it's therapeutic," he said.
He chooses pieces that everyone will be able to play, "We don't cater to any one thing. We've got something in our programs everybody can enjoy."
The band plays several popular marches, some classical tunes, pop songs and show tunes like "Fiddler on the Roof" and the "Wizard of Oz" theme. At this time of year, the band polishes up some of its Christmas medleys.
When the band played at the Castro Valley Days craft fair this summer, "people were just amazed. They said they lived here and had no idea we were here," Morelli said.
But the band is getting more exposure now. It has also played at the Hayward Art Show at Centennial Hall, at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, and at a recent Christmas concert at Bay Fair Mall in San Leandro. Next on the agenda will be the winter concert at the adult school Dec. 19.
Some of the band members, like Richard La Com of Castro Valley, were newcomers to music.
"I hadn't played anything until I started with this band. It's been the most fun I've ever had in my life. It's relaxing," said the 53-year-old doctor.
"We love Tony. He's fabulous, very dynamic, very into it. He never points anybody out or makes it hard on anybody. He makes us give the best we have to give -- and we love the baby," he said.
"The baby" is four-month-old Constance Romero.
Constance has been coming to the band practices with her mother since she was two weeks old. Now a seasoned observer, she smiles, gurgles, and coos along with the music.
Her mother, Carol Romero, used to hold Constance in her lap in a carrier while she played the flute. Now that Constance is too big for that, she gets her own chair.
"I breast-feed her and I'm very fanatical about not leaving her home. So instead of giving up band, I bring her along," explained Mrs. Romero.
Phil Stevens, who's been with the band about six years, said he renewed his interest in playing when he heard about the band.
"I played the clarinet in high school; it was on the shelf for 40 years," he said.
