Fort Wayne Area Community Band

Article by Vince LaBarbera  

Howard Lininger, the elder statesman of the Community Band, was born in 1930 -- the beginning of the Great Depression -- in Wesleyville, PA near Erie. When he was just a youngster, his mother obtained a…

Article by Rod King

One can easily spot trombonist Isaac Embree at band rehearsals because he’s the one wearing a bow tie. In fact, he’s almost always the only one wearing a tie, period. It’s his personal fashion statement.

When…

Article by Rod King

       Dan Kulpa was one of the original 35 players who showed up at Neff Hall on the IPFW campus to play in a new start-up community band. Like the others in attendance, he answered an announcement…

Article by Vince LaBarbera
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Another one of the Community Band’s newest members is Jordan Black. He’s originally from a small town in southwestern Indiana called Freelandville – about 75 miles from Evansville – but has been…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Victoria Ricedorf literally stands in a class by herself among the ranks of the Community Band. She’s the only person who plays baritone (bari) saxophone!

       She purchased her beautiful silver-gray Cannonball bari…

Article by Vince LaBarbera

       Kelly Hornbarger is from Carlton, MI but has been living in Fort Wayne and playing with the Community Band as its principal flutist for 10 years. She attended East Tennessee State University where she received a…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Music surrounded percussionist Leah Morris when she was growing up in Greenville, South Carolina. Her mom is a music teacher and her dad is a professional bus driver/music director for a church…

CONDUCTING THE BAND — Giving the Vulcan salute are conductor Dr. Scott Humphries and assistant conductor Susan Jehl, who will be directing the Fort Wayne Area Community Band’s Beyond the Stars concert May 2 at the John & Ruth Rhinehart…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       For those who don’t know, the person who makes sure the band room is set and ready for rehearsals every week is Kyle Baker. As equipment manager, he’s not only in charge…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Being on the board of the Community Band has given flutist Lynn Emrick a greater appreciation of the organization. “Before Sally asked if I’d be interested in running for an at-large position…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Tuba player Spencer Mohre joined the Fort Wayne Area Community Band when it resumed rehearsals in the parking garage at Purdue Fort Wayne in 2021. The pandemic was beginning to slow, but…

Article by Rod King
Edited by Isaac Embree

       Debi Kennedy, flute player in the Community Band, has a famous composer on her family tree. Johann Sebastian Bach is her sixth great uncle! Maybe that’s where she got her musical talent…