Corvallis Community Band

Sharing the joy of music with our community

CCB Ensembles

The Community Band boasts several ensembles made up of its members. Ensemble players rehearse on their own and often find opportunities to play for others in nursing homes, care centers, retirement homes, club meetings, receptions, and the like. Sometimes the ensembles are featured during a band concert. In December, for example, several ensembles provide music while patrons are gathering for the band’s Holiday Concert.

We encourage the formation of ensembles and are proud of the service they provide to the community.

CCB Ensembles:

Hilltop Big Band

Visit the Hilltop Big Band website.

We welcome the Hilltop Big Band as an associate of the Corvallis Community Band. Many musicians play in both bands, and our purpose is pretty much the same – to share the joy of music with our community. Donations to the Hilltop Band are now tax-deductible.

The Hilltop Big Band has been performing in and around Corvallis since 1988. They perform a wide variety of big band arrangements, from the timeless classics of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Stan Kenton and Woody Herman to the more modern arrangements of Stevie Wonder, The Mingus Big Band, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Lee Morgan, Brian Setzer and The Average White Band.

The Beaver Country Hot Air Band

The Beaver Country Hot Air Band has been around since the mid-80s playing at community events They appear twice a year at the Old World Deli: A Dixieland performance for Mardi Gras, and a German Band performance for Oktoberfest. The Hot Air Band (and Friends) go caroling in Downtown Corvallis in December and participate in the Christmas Parade after Thanksgiving. For the past two years the Hot Air Band has warmed up the audience for the Annual Christmas Movie at the Whiteside Theater. They usually appear at the Farmers Market in the summer, Oktoberfest gatherings, and anywhere else (within reason) for ribbon cuttings, dedication ceremonies, parades, and general upbeat entertainment.

The band is seen here in a recent Mardi Gras performance at the Old World Deli. From left to right: Arne Skaugset, trombone; Sue Borden* clarinet; Steve Matthes, clarinet; Larry Landis, trumpet; Andy Weiss, percussion; Matt Mathews, trombone; Cheryl Leckie, tuba. Seated: Larry Pribyl*, trumpet. In front: Ann Asbell*, clarinet and tenor sax. ( * indicates original members of the Hot Air band.)

Claribelles

This group formed a little over a year ago featuring Pat Wohlwend on 1st clarinet, Alex Vincent on 2nd clarinet, Peg Urban on alto clarinet and Stephanie Wohlwend on bass clarinet.

Christmas Caroling in Downtown Corvallis

The Beaver Country Hot Air Band annually invites band members to join them in playing Christmas music in Downtown Corvallis on one Saturday in December. Shoppers, and especially their small children, enjoy the music as the group strolls along and stops at various shops to play a tune.

Ann Asbell, with her red clarinet, plays for a young shopper.

Flute Cocktail

Flute Cocktail is a flute choir, led by band member and former music teacher, Donna Wernz. This ensemble occasionally plays at a summer concert in the park and always plays in the lobby of LaSells Stewart Center during intermission at the annual Winter Concert. Flute Cocktail also enjoys playing for charitable events when enough members are present.

They are shown here playing at the Benton County Historical Society Museum.  L to R:  Howard Korn, bass flute, Gretchen VanderPlas, alto flute, Kim Mullen, Jim Wernz, Becky Douglas, Julie Sutherland, Becky Cole, Debbie Hackleman, Annette Youngberg, Sue Gillespie, and Donna Wernz, flutes.

Spiritoso Wind Quintet

The Spiritoso Wind Quintet is reorganizing with some new personnel and will be playing together again when everyone is available. Watch this space for updates when the group is ready to perform.

Pictured here is the group from a few years ago: Sue Borden, clarinet; Gretchen VanderPlas, flute; Bob , horn; Karin Magnuson, bassoon; and Steve Ford, oboe.

Gathering Winds Quintet

The Gathering Winds Quintet

Slide Kicks

Slide Kicks is a newly organized trombone quartet featuring Arne Skaugset, Cheryl Leckie, Jim Cameron, Matt Matthews and Jinny Tanner. Stay tuned for more info…