Senior band recalls past memories

North End

Seventeen musicians set up their instruments and music stands around the perimeter of the rehearsal room at the Focal Point Senior Center in Margate, Fla.

All former professionals, they gather twice a month to socialize and practise the old familiar songs and music they used to play and love.

The brass orchestra, made up of four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones and a rhythm section of two guitars, piano and drums, specializes in the Big Band sound made famous by orchestra leaders such as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw during the 1930s and ’40s.

Trombonist Wally Shapiro, 84, the band leader and co-ordinator for the past 25 years, says band members look forward to this opportunity to perfect their repertoire of old songs and “big brass” compositions. He signals a start and the room echoes with the sounds of the Focal Point Orchestra.

“Let’s start again”, the drummer interrupts. Tapping his sticks together, he counts, “One, two, three.” On four. the musicians begin again –and this time their entry is smooth and in unison.

The next selection is more complicated and calls for four soloists to each interject the voice of their instrument at specific times. Shapiro chooses a trumpet, trombone, saxophone and piano and cautions players to be alert. The orchestra begins and the piece is faultless. The players clap with enthusiasm, delighted that their joint effort was an overwhelming success.

The afternoon continues with a change of pace. The half-dozen onlookers are in for a treat as the musical group is now focused on the songs of yesteryear. The trumpet blares, the trombone flares and the drummer keeps pace as we hum along to Ramona, Autumn Leaves, All of You and Basin Street Blues. As we listen, the tunes trigger memories of the past. My brother and I grew up in an era when radio was king. Children ate their breakfast porridge while listening to the tunes of Bert Pearl and The Happy Gang and consumed supper while chuckling at the antics of Amos and Andy.

The Second World War was over, and people were looking forward to big improvements and changes – and they came soon after. In fact, looking back, we grew up during the best of times.

Shapiro revealed that these members have been playing together “for five or six years”. It’s easy to see that there’s a sense of camaraderie and a sharing of common goals.

“This group and many others like it are important to the well-being of seniors. It gives them the opportunity to enjoy and take pride in their artistic ability,” he explained.

“Music is their special language”.