Clovis Community Band giving free concert today

The Clovis Community Band is giving a free concert at 3 p.m. today at Clovis Community College’s Town Hall.

So what is this group? What’s their story?

The band’s present director, Steve Baldock, said the band was founded in 1978 by Norvil Howell.

“(This was) after his extensive and impactful career as the Clovis High School band director and later as the (Clovis Municipal Schools) music coordinator,” Baldock wrote in an email.

Baldock went on to note the community band “provided a means for CHS alumni to unite again to perform great music.”

A historic event in Clovis, involving “The March King” John Phillip Sousa, serves as an inspiration for one of the band’s annual events.

“In November 1929, Sousa’s band performed two concerts in Clovis. Under Mr. Howell’s baton, the CHS band celebrated the anniversary of that concert every year, and that tradition eventually transitioned to the Community Band,” Baldock wrote.

Baldock noted after Howell retired from directing, “several other fine directors led the Clovis Community Band, including Floren Thompson Jr., Gordon Hart, Donald Young, Dustin Seifert and Jim Bernard.”

“Current band members range in age from 14 to 80. Many musicians have been members for decades,” Baldock wrote.

Clovis resident Kathy Elliott, a marketing professional, said she likes being in the Clovis Community Band.

“I played in high school and college. (In the band) I can still get together with others who love music and we still share the experience together,” Elliott wrote in a text.

Retired Judge Steve Quinn plays the bass clarinet in the community band.

“It’s a much larger member of the clarinet family. I also played ‘bari sax’ (baritone sax) when we didn’t have a player for that. That’s also big. That was years ago,” Quinn said.

Quinn said he likes the camaraderie in the band.

“I like playing at this age. I’m 80. It’s just so neat to make music,” Quinn said.

Quinn said he grew up in a house where music was all around.

“My mother taught music and played music in church. In grade school I played in the band,” Quinn said.

Patsy Merritt, retired from the post office, plays string bass.

“Sometimes I use a bow but most of the time I pluck it,” Merritt said.

“I like it because it reminds me of playing for Mr. Howell in the high school band. I enjoy the music we make to share with the community.”

Baldock added the band has attracted members from Clovis, Cannon Air Force Base, Portales, Friona, Farwell and elsewhere.

“New band members are welcome,” Baldock wrote.

Baldock noted some larger instruments are available for loan. He also wrote if one is doing an internet search for the band to be sure to note “New Mexico” in the search.

“The town of Clovis, California, also has a community band,” he wrote.

Today’s performance here is “a free concert with the theme of ‘An Afternoon at the Movies.’ Come out and enjoy the music from your favorite movies of the past,” Baldock wrote.