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JOIN THE SONOMA HOMETOWN BAND
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For many years, 38 to be exact, the Sonoma Hometown Band and the mysterious Other Town Band have coexisted as two marching bands entertaining the crowds at the annual Fourth of July Parade at the Sonoma Plaza. What is this mysterious Other Town Band? The Other Town Band is made up of many musicians who grew up in Sonoma and come back to play in the Fourth of July Parade as well as many others. But here's the secret. The Other Town Band and the Sonoma Hometown Band are the same Musicians! Many years ago, when the Sonoma Fourth of July Parade was small, the organizers wanted another band. So the Other Town Band was born. But the Other Town Band had to be different. So, after the Sonoma Hometown Band marched around the Plaza, they quickly changed into funny, and often patriotic, garb and marched around the Plaza again. The Other Town Band even has its own banner. A tradition was born. To this day, the Sonoma Hometown Band first marches one time around the Plaza, to be followed the next time around the Plaza by the Other Town Band. Legend has it that the judges actually awarded the first place prize to the Other Town Band and second place prize to the Sonoma Hometown Band on one occasion. Here's another secret. Anyone can join the bands. In fact, the band needs you. If you have ever played an instrument at whatever level, the band would welcome your participation at the Fourth of July Parade and other concerts. Some participants hadn't played an instrument for more than thirty-five years when they joined the band. So dust off your forgotten instruments and come join us! The Sonoma Hometown Band also plays other concerts including two or three concerts at the Sebastiani Theater during the year and the Salute to the Arts in August in the Sonoma Plaza. The Sonoma Hometown Band has a long and illustrious history of providing music in the Sonoma Valley. A picture of the Band in 1848 is prominent in the Toscano Hotel Museum in the Sonoma Town Square. The current Hometown Band was formed in 1967. If you are interested, the band director, Richard Schneider, would welcome your call. His phone number is (707) 996-3413. Or call the President of the Band, Allen Robinson, phone number (707) 933-8989. |
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Click here to see maps to our rehearsal site- the Sonoma Develpmental Center, McDougal Hall. |