ABOUT

Organized January 1972, The Naples Concert Band originally consisted of 10 musicians playing to hundreds of musical lovers. Today, our band has grown to over 80 musicians who often play to thousands during peak season here in Naples. We love to see friends, neighbors, and members of the community enjoying a night of music in our beautiful city!

In 1983, we established the Kenneth P. Wolfe Memorial Scholarship program and awarded $500 to the first high school student band member — who we are proud to say is now a full time adult participant in the Band. Since that time, the Band has awarded over $115,900 in student scholarships. To be eligible for the scholarship, students are required to submit an application to play in the band, play a minimum number of rehearsals and concerts in the band, and provide a related comprehensive essay.

An important part of Naples Concert Band’s overall mission is the support and enhancement of local music education programs. NCB supports school music programs by collaborating with the Music Foundation of Greater Naples to present Master Classes for qualified students in Collier County schools. During the 2018-19 school year, NCB contributed $5,000 to the operation of the program. To qualify students must have played their instrument for at least 1.5 years and be recommended by their band or orchestra director. Master Class coaches are experienced performers, music educators, and student music education majors at the Bower School of Music and Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University.

The Naples Concert Band has also worked closely with the City of Naples to build the original Band Shell in Cambier Park in 1987 and the major renovation in 2001. This outdoor stage has not only benefitted the Band, but is widely used by many other local and visiting performance groups. In all, the Naples Concert Band initiated the idea of a Band Shell, raised over $500,000 for the construction and renovation, and actually installed the memorial bricks in front of the stage. It was a labor of love that we still love seeing today!

With an operating budget of approximately $89,000 per year, the Band relies on individual and corporate gifts to enable it to continue offering free concerts in the park. The Band is grateful to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church and the City of Naples for the use of rehearsal and concert sites. Over 87 percent of the budget comes from private donations and audience contributions at concerts.

The tremendous growth in audiences has inspired the Band to reach new levels of performance. This required additional funding for equipment, music, printing, marketing, and related expenses. In addition, the Band has established an Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Collier County and would like to build its reserves as a means to support major capital expenditures, supplement scholarships, and meet extraordinary expenses.

Please consider sponsoring a Sunday concert, placing a Sponsorship Ad in our program or providing a special gift or donation. Thank you!

OUR OFFICERS

DAVE DREWEK, PRESIDENT
BUD GARTLAND, VICE PRESIDENT
FRED BURNS, TREASURER
CAROL CARPER, SECRETARY

DIRECTORS

Joe Choomack
Tony Costello
Tom Curcio
Charlie DiGangi
Todd Handley, Past President
Sheila Miles
Everett Hughes, Past President

OUR CONDUCTOR

Harris Lanzel is the Music Director and Conductor of the Naples Concert Band. He plays the trumpet with several local groups including the Paradise Brass Quintet.

He retired as Director of Bands from Eisenhower High School, Russell, Pennsylvania in 1999. During his 31 years at Eisenhower, Mr. Lanzel’s concert, jazz, and marching bands have consistently earned superior ratings at state contests and festivals. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

Mr. Lanzel is past president of District 2 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and past president of Nu chapter, Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity. During his teaching career Mr. Lanzel has been honored with many awards. He was also recognized as the Outstanding Pennsylvania Bandmaster of the Year by Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. In addition, he was presented with a Citation from the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives for achievements “that have brought distinction to themselves, their community and state.” The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association inducted Mr. Lanzel into the PMEA Hall of Fame in February of 2015.

Mr. Lanzel has served as a clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator for Pennsylvania, New York and Florida conventions and contests. He was associate conductor with the Naples Concert Band for six years, and he has also guest conducted in Pennsylvania, New York, New Mexico and Florida.

A Naples resident, Harris has also taught instrumental music at Gulf View Middle School, and has worked with the instrumental music programs at East Naples Middle School, St. Ann School, the Village School and Barron Collier High School.

OUR ANNOUNCER

Originally from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, BILL BANFIELD has called Southwest Florida home for the past decade. He is a philanthropist, most widely recognized for donating his time and talent as an announcer for several area organizations, including currently as the sports announcer for Florida Gulf Coast University and formerly as the sports announcer for the Fort Myers Miracle. Banfield is a member of the advisory committee for Catholic Charities of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties; a member of the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce board of directors; vice chairman of the Bonita Springs Assistance Office board of directors; and a member of the Bonita Springs Morning Rotary Club. Banfield earned a Bachelor of Arts from the College of the Holy Cross and resides in Estero.