For The Love of Music

Aaron Prindle shares a common bond with those he leads in the Port Washington Summer Community Band: a love of music.  

This year, Prindle, an elementary school band teacher in Port Washington, is stepping up to the John Philip Sousa Bandshell podium at Sunset Park filling in for Mark Brenner, the long-time summer band leader who is taking the summer off. And while Brenner is not taking up the baton this summer at the bandshell, he still helped work out the logistics of planning and preparing for this summer’s rehearsals and performances.

“I am quite excited to succeed Mark Brenner in directing the summer band,” Prindle said. “Under Mark's direction, the group flourished and I am looking to continue that tradition.”

The group rehearses Tuesday nights throughout July from 7:30-9:30 p.m., and performs every Friday in July at 8:15 p.m.

The theme for July 5 is American and patriotic songs; July 12, stage and screen; July 19, water music; and July 26 summer sunsets. And in keeping with tradition, Sousa marches will be featured prominently, particularly on the first and fourth Fridays.

There are still spots available in the band, especially low brass, percussion and flutes, Prindle said. While the musicians must be proficient enough to play high school caliber literature, they don’t have to be Port Washington residents to join. The musicians hail from all over the region: Astoria, Brentwood, Manhasset, Valley Stream and of course Port Washington.

Prindle is no stranger to community bands. His father founded and still conducts a community band in Enumclaw, Washington, where Prindle grew up. So, in many ways Prindle is the natural choice to lead the band.

To learn more about joining the band, email aaronprindle@gmail.com.