Band director leads older players to 10th anniversary celebration

More than 10 years ago when Maryann Flock interviewed for a position with the music department at Benedictine University in Lisle, the department chairman told her that he would like her to start a band for senior citizens to learn to play music.

"Frankly, I wanted the university job so I said, 'OK, I'll look into it,'" she said.

Inwardly, the then 29-year-old Flock wasn't so sure.

"I didn't think it would work," she said. "I just didn't know how we could get this going."

Nevertheless, Flock was hired and a few months later began researching the possibility. That's when she learned about a group of New Horizons bands that existed for the purpose of giving adults 50 and older the opportunity to learn to play an instrument or relearn an instrument.

Heartened by the fact that the idea already had been put in practice, Flock announced the first meeting for February 1998. Three people showed up.

"Again, I thought, 'how is this going to work?'" she said.

But a story in a major newspaper and contacts made at a senior function put the New Horizons Band of Benedictine University on its way by August 1998. The band celebrates its 10th anniversary with a free concert at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, in the university's Krasa Student Center.

The approximately 45 members, ranging in age from their 50s to their 80s, come from as far away as Chicago, Oak Park and Aurora. They are now one of approximately 150 New Horizon bands in the United States, Canada and Ireland.

At Benedictine, Flock and her older players have developed an obvious affection for one another.

"Their enthusiasm is very motivating to me," she said.

"She couldn't be more perfect," said Doris Cubberly, who first joined the band in 1998 with her husband, Jim, so he could learn to play the trumpet and she the clarinet. "She is patient. She is kind. She is caring. She loves us."

Not that Flock can't be tough.

"I only saw her show her anger once," said two-year band member Harriet Tenkate of Lombard, a trumpet player. "If it involves the music, that's when she can get a little impatient. Otherwise, she puts up with a lot of crazy stuff."

Flock, who previously had taught beginning level fourth- and fifth-graders, said teaching students older than herself created a very different dynamic in which her authority was not automatically assumed.

"It leads to questions. Does this person really know what she is talking about," she said. "The great thing is it disperses the minute we start working. The adults are so eager to learn."

They also enjoy having a good time and that sometimes leads to kidding around. The more outspoken and comical members tend to be in the trombone session, just like in an elementary school band, Flock said. The mother of three young children, she has been known to raid her children's toys so she has soft balls to carry and throw at band members who are getting out of line.

"She's kind of a smart (aleck), too. That's why everybody gets along so well," said Burton Brown, a nine-year member and clarinet player from St. Charles.

But Burton also recalled seeing tears come to Flock's eyes when she learned that one band member had passed away.

"That's when I realized it's not just a job to her," he said. "Maryann is just like finding a gem. She takes a personal interest."

Mutual commitment

Flock leads the entire band in rehearsals once a week 10 months of the year. The small group ensembles - the Woodwind Consort, Jazz Ensemble and Brass Choir - also rehearse separately. When a few beginners join the band, Flock forms a group just for them.

Members are faithful about making rehearsals and some take private lessons to catch up, she said.

"If they can be here, they'll be here. They don't like to miss," she said.

Flock doesn't like to miss, either, Brown said. He's seen her come when she wasn't feeling well and when she was more than eight months pregnant.

"I used to tell her, 'Hey, give us some warning because we don't know how to deliver babies,'" he said.

The band gives concerts in December and in May. The full band and ensembles also play in retirement homes, group homes, parks and parades.

A favorite venue for band members is an annual concert given in Misericordia, a facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Chicago. Brown, who has a son in Misericordia, makes the arrangements.

"There is no audience like that anywhere in the world. They have so much excitement," Flock said. "They get up. They jump around."

Another favorite has been giving a joint concert with the band at St. Irene Elementary School in Warrenville. The school has a new band director so Flock said she didn't know if that concert would take place this year.

"It's fabulous. Both bands love it." she said.

Flock said she chooses music her band members enjoy. Marches and show tune medleys are popular.

"I've done one contemporary piece and I will never do another one. They didn't like it,'" she said.

Some band members join with vintage instruments that have been in their closets for years. The university also has some instruments it can lend out, Flock said. After a year or two, a band member may buy a new instrument or receive one for Christmas, she said.

"It's a great joy for me to see their excitement when they get it. That is just like fourth- and fifth-graders because they are so thrilled to have a new, shining instrument to hold," she said.

Anyone can join the band, even beginners under the age of 50, Flock said. Once the younger players gain some experience, they normally go on to play with other ensembles, she said.

"There's a social element to the band that is for the over-50 crowd," Flock said.

Although joining at the beginning of the fall season is preferable, players can join during the year. Percussionists and trombone players are particularly needed, she said.

Musical background

A part-time faculty member at Benedictine, Flock also directs the university's Concert Band and the Chamber Orchestra and teaches classes in conducting and music education.

Now a resident of Woodridge, she grew up in Olympia Fields in a home filled with music.

"My brothers and sisters, we all learned to play the piano," she said.

Flock became a singer and oboe player, but found she loved conducting when attending St. Mary's College in South Bend, Ind.

New Horizon Band members will attest she hit the right career note.

"Her musicianship is very high," Tenkate said. "She's a great gal. She has a lot of patience with us."

For details on the New Horizons Band, call the music department at Benedictine at (630) 829-6320.

• Do you know someone with an unusual job or hobby? Let us know at sdibble@dailyherald.com, (630) 955-3532 or 4300 Commerce Court, Lisle, 60532.

If you go

What: New Horizons Band's 10th anniversary concert

When: 3:30 p.m. Oct. 4

Where: Krasa Student Center at Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 829-6320