Kendall Community Band continues to make a joyful noise

Group formed in 2012 for Kendall bicentennial, draws members from Orleans and Monroe counties

Photos by Natalie Baron: John Grillo, the Village of Albion recreation director (center), is joined by recreation committee member Bernie Baldwin and Lori Cyr, director of the Kendall Community Band. They welcomed people to Wednesday’s concert at Bullard Park in Albion. The band will be back in Albion on June 13 at the Strawberry Festival, performing from 5 to 7 p.m.

By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern

KENDALL – The Kendall Community Band performed at Bullard Park’s amphitheater on Wednesday, the kick off of Albion’s summer concert series.

The band recruits members from both Orleans and Monroe counties.

Peggy Warren

Peggy Warren, a retired chemistry teacher from Kendall, is one of the band’s flute players.

“We just love it. We go play in nursing homes, we play at the carnivals, just to share our joy of music,” she said.

David Warren, Peggy’s husband, is a retired manufacturing engineer from Kendall who plays trumpet in the band.

“I played in high school. I loved it. It saved my life,” he said. “It kept me on the straight and narrow, so music’s very important to me. I started with the band about twelve, thirteen years ago and I’ve just stuck with it. It’s grown since then.”

David and Peggy’s daughter, Tricia, is another returning member of the band, performing on bass clarinet. She works as a nurse.

The band formed for the Kendall bicentennial in 2012. It has been around ever since.

Lori Cyr, the band’s director (left), is shown with Tricia Warren, a nurse who plays bass clarinet.

Lori Cyr is the band’s director. She is a retired music teacher from Potsdam. She explained that the band gains a couple of new members each year.

“I have been involved in community music my whole life,” Cyr stated. “Starting even when I was in high school, I was involved in the community band in the summertime.”

Cyr performs in three ensembles and directs two, including a community clarinet choir in Rochester that she directs and plays in.

The band’s members give a lot of their time and energy to the band, ensuring it is the best it can be.

“I give this group a lot of credit for what they’re willing to do and the amount of commitment they make to the group,” Cyr explained. “They show up every week for rehearsals. We rehearse every week from September through June with a couple of vacations. I put music in front of them that they don’t like at first because it’s too hard, and yet they work on it and it gets better. It’s a great group of people and I absolutely love doing this.”

David Warren plays a trumpet solo during Wednesday’s concert at the amphitheater at Bullard Park.

Mr. Warren stated that the band is always looking for new members, and the offer is open to anyone who plays an instrument. The band plays for donations only.

The Kendall Community Band will next be playing at the Strawberry Festival on June 13, with future dates at The Manor House in Batavia and The Villages of the Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Visit the Kendall Community Band’s Facebook page for further details about the group.

Lori Cyr introduces some of the music during Wednesday’s concert in Albion.

The Kendall Community Band welcomes more members for their performances at community events and at care facilities.