Music to Monroe’s ears

Published 10:45 pm Sunday, September 30, 2007

MONROE — Bill Habetler is a man who knows his way around a band. For the past 40 years, he has been a band director, teaching fifth grade and high school students the fine art of making music.

Now he is directing the Monroe Community Concert Band, and having the time of his life.

“Directing high school students and adults is very similar,” Habetler said. “It’s a lot of fun. The people are all volunteers and they want to play. They are really fine people, and they have a great desire to play and we have a lot of fun doing it.”

Habetler discovered the band when he saw an ad in the paper from the Monroe Arts Council. The group was trying to form a band and he was interested in playing a trumpet.

But after founding director Dave Pallo stepped down, Habetler was the natural choice to take up the baton.

Yet to hear the story told by Lise Kirby, Habetler wasn’t asked to become the band director so much as he was talked into becoming the band director.

“We basically guilted Bill into taking on the position,” Kirby said. “A lot of our players are school teachers themselves and professional musicians. Bill was an incredible draw for these people.”

Last season the band gave four concerts. They even entered a community band festival in Seattle featuring 10 different community bands throughout the area.

“We sounded absolutely wonderful,” Habetler said. “That was the first time the band had ever done something like this. We sounded very good, we surprised a lot of people.”

The band is looking for new musicians, particularly those who can play the clarinet, saxophone, French horn and percussion. Those interested in joining the band should be able to perform at the high school musician level.

Habetler said the band is practicing a Christmas medley, something from “My Fair Lady”, as well as some Broadway tunes.

When asked if he has a favorite, Hebetler balked.

“I don’t really have a favorite, I picked out all the music. I like them all,” he said.

Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.

@2. Breakout Header:Join the band

Do you have an ear for music? Can you plan an instrument? The Monroe Community Band is currently looking for new musicians. For more information on how to join the Monroe Community Band, visit www.monroeartscouncil.com.