>> ONE OF THE LONGEST-SERVING COMMUNITY BANS ON THE GULF COAST IS TEMPTING TO A NEW AUDIENCE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. >> GULF COAST REPORTER BRITT LEONI FOUND OUT HOW THEY’RE DRUMMING A NEW BEAT IN TONIGHT’S STORY TO SHARE. >> FOR MANY SENIORS, IT’S NOT UNCOMMON FOR SOME DAYS TO FIELD DREARY READ IN DRAB. >> BUT ON THIS ON SCENE, THERE. MUSIC HELPS ANYTHING. BUT >> AS THE PLACE BE AND WE PLAYED THE BEATLES, WE PLAY A THING. >> AND IDENTIFIES AS A COMMUNITY AND JUMPED. >> A COMMUNITY BANS PROBABLY 50 HEATS. SO AFTER MOVING FROM ILLINOIS FORT MYERS, IT WAS ONLY NATURAL PURSUE TO TAKE A SEAT AMONG 59 OTHER VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS IN ONLY COUNTY A BAND WITH A HISTORY AS VIBRANT AS IT PLAYERS WHEN 18 85, A GROUP OF MUSICIANS SHOWED UP AT MISSUS COM US. >> ALL OF THAT ASSUMES HOUSE AND SERENADED HER AND SHE WAS SO IMPRESSED AND SO WARMED BY IT THAT SHE BOUGHT A DOZEN INSTRUMENTS AND A WHOLE BUNCH MUSIC. AND THE STORY GOES. THAT THEY WERE SO BAD. THAT THEY HAVE TO PRACTICE IF THE FARTHEST END OF THE LONGEST PIER WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED ITS 135 YEARS OF PLAYING THE BAND SHINES A LIGHT ON ITS COMMUNITY. >> SURVIVING WE CAN AND EVEN COVID. IT’S A TOUGH TIME EVERYWHERE. MUSIC IS FROM. ABSOLUTELY EVERYBODY. >> WE’LL CHECKING 20 CHICKENS AT THIS YEAR AS A GROUP OF PLAYERS IN THE BAND VISIT SENIOR HOMES FOR FREE. I HOPE THEY NEED. >> FILLED WITH MUSIC. THEY HIS MUCH JOY IS THE THAT’S ONE OF
Filled with music: Lee County Community Band spreads joy to seniors
For many older adults, it’s not uncommon for some days to feel dull, dreary or even drab.But on this day at Amavida Senior Home, music helps them feel anything but.”We play jazz, we play big band, we play the Beatles, we play everything,” said a member of the Lee County Community Band, Sue Hansen.Sue describes herself as a community band junkie.”I’ve played in community bands for, oh, probably 50 years now at least,” said Sue.So, after moving from Illinois to Fort Myers, it was only natural for Sue to take a seat among 59 other volunteer musicians in the Lee County Community band. It’s a band with a history as vibrant as its players.”In 1885, a group of musicians showed up at Mrs. Thomas Alva Edison’s house and serenaded her,” said Sue. “And she was impressed and so warmed by it that she bought a dozen instruments and a whole bunch of music. The story goes that they were so bad that they had to practice at the farthest end of the pier when they first started,” laughed Sue.In its 135 years of playing, the band has shone a light on its community through wars, hurricanes, and even COVID-19.”I think it’s a tough time everywhere,” said Sue. “But music is for absolutely everybody.””Sometimes we’ll do the chicken dance and a lot of them won’t get up and dance, but we’ll put funny chicken hats on them,” said band president Dave Harlow.This year, as a group of players in the band visit senior homes for free, they give as much joy as they receive.”I hope they leave filled with music,” said Sue. “It’s one of my happiest places I can be.” DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
For many older adults, it’s not uncommon for some days to feel dull, dreary or even drab.
But on this day at Amavida Senior Home, music helps them feel anything but.
“We play jazz, we play big band, we play the Beatles, we play everything,” said a member of the Lee County Community Band, Sue Hansen.
Sue describes herself as a community band junkie.
“I’ve played in community bands for, oh, probably 50 years now at least,” said Sue.
So, after moving from Illinois to Fort Myers, it was only natural for Sue to take a seat among 59 other volunteer musicians in the Lee County Community band. It’s a band with a history as vibrant as its players.
“In 1885, a group of musicians showed up at Mrs. Thomas Alva Edison’s house and serenaded her,” said Sue. “And she was impressed and so warmed by it that she bought a dozen instruments and a whole bunch of music. The story goes that they were so bad that they had to practice at the farthest end of the pier when they first started,” laughed Sue.
In its 135 years of playing, the band has shone a light on its community through wars, hurricanes, and even COVID-19.
“I think it’s a tough time everywhere,” said Sue. “But music is for absolutely everybody.”
“Sometimes we’ll do the chicken dance and a lot of them won’t get up and dance, but we’ll put funny chicken hats on them,” said band president Dave Harlow.
This year, as a group of players in the band visit senior homes for free, they give as much joy as they receive.
“I hope they leave filled with music,” said Sue. “It’s one of my happiest places I can be.”
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.