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Longtime Batavia music teacher delivers final concert Tuesday

By Joanne Beck
jane haggett paladino

Jane (Haggett) Paladino, longtime music influencer as Batavia High School's music teacher and department chairperson, delivers her final swan song as conductor during a band concert Tuesday evening at the high school's Frank E. Owens Auditorium. 

Paladino is retiring from the district and looking forward to new adventures ahead -- albeit with staff, students and parents enriched by her lessons and saddened by her departure. 

Photo by Howard Owens.

Free concert tickets for shows at Batavia Downs made available to Genesee County veterans

By Press Release
William Joyce, Henry wojtaszek
William Joyce, veterans services officer for Genesee County, receives bundles of tickets from Batavia Downs President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek on Friday afternoon at Batavia Downs.
Photo by Howard Owens.

Press Release:

Officials from Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel presented 2,000 complimentary tickets to William Joyce, Director of the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency.  250 Tickets from each of Batavia’s Summer Concert Series were included. 

“Batavia Downs has always supported our local Veterans," said Batavia Downs CEO and President Henry Wojtaszek.  “This is the fifth soncert series in a row that we’ve given tickets to the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency.  We happy to do anything we can to give back to our local Veterans for all they’ve done for our country.”

Tickets for the concert series can be purchased at BataviaConcerts.com.  Performances include: 

  • June 23, Almost Queen (Queen Tribute)
  • June 30, Get the Led Out (Led Zeppelin Tribute)
  • July 7, Craig Morgan and Drake White
  • July 14, Skid Row
  • July 21, Marshall Tucker
  • July 28, GrassRoots with Peter Noone
  • Aug. 4, Don Felder
  • Aug. 11, Mike DelGuidice

Genesee Chorale presents Across the Vast Eternal Sky in Batavia and Le Roy in May

By Howard B. Owens
genesee chorale

The Genesee Chorale will present two spring concerts on May 19 and May 21, presenting the music of Ola Gjeilo in Batavia and in Le Roy.

The program is called Across the Vast Eternal Sky and will feature the Greycliffe String Quartet and Riesa Cassano on Oboe.

The May 19 performance is at 7 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 238 Vine St., Batavia, and the May 21 performance is at 4 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1 East Main St., Le Roy.

The chorale is under the music direction of Ric Jones. Janine Fagnan is associate conductor and Doug Hanson is the accompanist.

Tickets are $10 and are available from members of the chorale or at the door.

genesee chorale
genesee chorale
genesee chorale

Photos: Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher performs at the Richmond Memorial Library

By Howard B. Owens
Peter Fletcher

Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher performed an afternoon concert at the Richmond Memorial Library on Saturday.

Fletcher has been recording and performing classical guitar music for more than 40 years. He holds a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.  He has studied with David Leisner, David Russell, Oscar Ghiglia and Pepe Romero. He has performed recitals throughout the U.S., including two recitals at Carnegie Hall in New York.  He's also made numerous appearances on radio and television. 

He currently resides in Detroit and New York City.

His CD releases include The Art of Classical Guitar, A Peter Fletcher Recital and Federico Mompou: Guitar Works. In 2005, Centaur Records released Peter Fletcher plays Erik Satie.  Peter Fletcher Plays Baroque Music for Guitar was released in 2008 on the Tower Hill Recordings label.   His current release is 

For more information about Fletcher, click here.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Peter Fletcher
Peter Fletcher
Peter Fletcher
Peter Fletcher

Five Le Roy seniors recognized for continuing their music education after graduation

By Howard B. Owens
le roy music students recognition
Jeffrey Fisher, one of the music teachers at Le Roy Central Schools, talks about music education while five graduating seniors who are entering college music programs look on. The students are Jackson Cain, Alexiana Clarke, Connor McGee, Evan Williams, and Nathan Yauchzee.
Photo by Howard Owens.

A lot of students pour through a school district's music program, but only a few of them put in the effort, show dedication and develop the skills necessary to carry on with their music education after graduation.

It's incredibly rewarding when a student follows that path, said Matthew Nordhausen, who teaches 5th and 6th-grade band in the Le Roy Central School District as well as serves as the district's primary percussion instructor.

"We obviously feel some pride in being able to help them build those skills to pass the auditions," Nordhausen said. "It's also incredibly rewarding, in about four years from now, when they graduate, and they go out into the workforce -- especially those that go into music education, because chances are, they'll come back to this area, and they might end up being our colleagues."

That's happened, he said.  Nordhausen said he's been teaching long enough -- 20 years -- now that he has former students teaching in Batavia and Monroe County.

On Thursday, Le Roy recognized five graduating seniors who are continuing their music education.

They are:

  • Jackson Cain, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
  • Alexiana Clarke, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
  • Connor McGee, SUNY Fredonia for Music Education
  • Evan Williams, Point Park for Music Theater
  • Nathan Yauchzee, SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music for Music Business

Le Roy has a reputation in the region for quality music education, and Nordhausen said that comes down to the support the district gives to the Music Department and their ability to hire dedicated and talented teachers.

"The five of us --  Miss (Tasha) Dotts, Miss (Jessa) Dechant,  myself, Mr. (Jeffrey) Fisher, and Miss (Jackie) McLean -- we do work tirelessly for these kids, it's a 24/7 life, not a job. We're helping the kids before school, after school, anything they need, we're always accessible."

The district has helped ensure teachers hired are also qualified on instruments to provide individual instructions, and that is something, Nordhausen said, that many districts can't offer.

"It allows somebody like myself, who is primarily at the elementary school, to still be able to come up here (the high school) and teach my primary instrument, percussion, which allows our kids to get private instruction all the way through their senior year. That level of instruction is just unheard of. In another school district, you're going to have to seek out outside-of-school private lessons, but these kids are getting specific instruction on percussion for me and brass from Miss Dechant and woodwinds from Miss Dotts." 

Nordhausen is obviously enthusiastic about music education, and he encourages parents to get their children involved in music -- or any of the arts -- even if the parents have no background in music or art on their own.

Music is forever, he noted.

"Whether you have a musical family quote unquote or not, if you find a love of anything, whether that be music or art, then you should follow that passion through," Nordhausen said. "If you get involved in a great school district and a great program and a supportive one then you're going to be able to build those skills. I've often said, of myself, I am not the most talented musician, but I will be one of the hardest working ones. My colleagues are both talented and hardworking. And you can certainly overcome a quote-unquote a lack of talent if you're willing to put in the time and the effort."

le roy music students
Photo by Howard Owens

Polka fans Sturr crazy for a night of fun and dancing at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

There was a polka party featuring the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra at Batavia Downs Thursday night while WBBZ taped four segments of the station's weekly show, Polka Buzz, for broadcast in May.

Sturr has won 18 Grammys for his polka albums and is the undisputed King of Polka.  

PreviouslyJimmy Sturr coming to Batavia to spread the love for Polka

Photos by Howard Owens.

Besides playing with Jimmy Sturr, Chris Caffery's other gig as lead guitarist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Southern gospel homecoming set for Needhams at Batavia First Methodist

By Jazmyne Boozer

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Joyce and Bob Spamer fell in love with the soulful sounds of southern gospel music over a decade ago. In an effort to share that love with others, they embarked on booking concerts for their fellow Western New Yorkers.

Through their foundation, Southern Gospel New York, the Spamers seek out Southern gospel talent from all over the South and invite them north for concerts.

Now, the pair is hosting a concert featuring the hometown southern gospel band, the Needhams.

With over two decades under their belts touring and singing together, the Needhams will return to their hometown of Batavia to perform a homecoming concert.

The band has written and recorded seven albums, including their latest: "Legacy."

This album features 10 new songs and commemorates the group's 25th anniversary.

The Needhams is a family band. Formed by Sr. David Needham, the band is comprised of Dave Needham (his son), Diane Needham (his daughter), and her husband Steve Mummert.

Being big fans of the storytelling and talent of the band, the Spamers wanted to ensure that the Needhams felt loved and honored by their hometown.

“We wanted to make it big this year because they’re celebrating their anniversary in singing. The dad, Dave Sr. has been singing for 60 years, he started the Needhams,” Joyce Spamer said. “It’s encouraging. They need the encouragement to know that people are excited about what they do. They are putting us on the map.”

The family gravitated to gospel, Bob Spamer said, and to music's personal meanings.

“We’ve always loved gospel music. There’s a message in the music,” Spamer said. “These gospel songs tell a story. A lot of people write from the experiences they’ve had.”

All who wish to attend the event on May 26 are invited to go to Batavia First Methodist Church at 8221 Lewiston Road, Batavia. The concert begins at 7 p.m. No tickets are required, however, a love offering will be taken to help support the ministry of the Needhams.

Submitted photo

Jimmy Sturr coming to Batavia to spread the love for Polka

By Howard B. Owens

Not many legends play concerts in Batavia, but this Thursday, Batavia Downs will host Jimmy Sturr -- winner of 18 Grammy Awards, leader of a polka band since age 11, and musical artist who has recorded 152 records.

His first recording in 1964, in the midst of Beatlemania, was a 45 -- the A-side was a song Sturr wrote, "Hepsa Polka" -- and he's been touring and recording since, building a reputation as the King of Polka.

"I fell in love with it (Polka) at an early age," Sturr said during an interview with The Batavian. 

That won't be hard to understand once you know a bit about where he grew up.

Sturr was born in 1941 and raised in Florida, NY, and even with international success, he's never left Florida, NY.

He's perhaps as proud of his hometown as he is of Polka.

"It's funny, but Florida, New York is known as -- now don't get upset when I tell you this because I know you think your part of the state is the Onion capital of the country -- well, Florida, New York is supposedly the onion capital of the country. We grow, I guess they say, approximately 30 percent of the nation's onions."

Sturr is Irish, but Florida, NY, was 85 percent Polish when he was growing up.

"A lot of the people came over from Poland and Germany working in the black dirt, and they brought all their traditions with them, one of which was their music," Sturr said. "That's how I fell in love with the music. My high school dances all had Polka bands. The local radio station had a Polka show every day. And of course, we had those three-day Polish weddings. So you know, I just fell in love with Polka."

If you were coming of age as a musician in the 1940s and 1950s, it wasn't a bad time to fall in love with Polka.  Some of the genre's most influential musicians -- such as Frankie Yankovic, Walt Solek, Larry Chesky, and Myron Floren -- were cutting popular albums. Myron Floren became a regular on the "Lawrence Welk Show," playing a Polka segment that a young Jimmy Sturr never missed.

He quickly became a proficient musician and, by 1952, was leading his own band. In one interview, Sturr said his band was the third call band because he was so young.  If the more established bands in town were booked, Sturr got the call, which still led to plenty of performance experience and helped launch his career.

Sturr said he was also influenced by the Big Bands of the East Coast that occasionally passed through his hometown. 

"For some reason, most of the bands that came here were from New England, from Massachusetts, and some were from New Jersey and New York," Sturr said. "That's the kind of music I grew up on with bands that came from that area. I sort of molded my band in that direction. That's why we have such a big band."

And it's a good band.  There are dozens of live recordings of the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra on YouTube that demonstrate how well the band plays together, their dynamic performances, and individual musicianship.

Sturr, from early in his career, wanted to be an ambassador for Polka.

He realizes there is a bit of a stigma attached to Polka.  That it's grandma and grandpa's music, but he's seen for himself how young people can enjoy the music -- which is really party music -- as much as anybody.

"You know, once we can get them to hear the music -- just like last week in Buffalo (for a Dyngus Day celebration) -- there were a lot of people who weren't Polka fans, but they were there for the party," Sturr said. "Once they heard it, they were hooked. I had them hooked. They stayed the whole night."

Spreading the love for Polka is one reason Sturr has recorded with so many other artists who aren't usually associated with Polka, such as Arlo Guthrie, Mel Tillis, Bela Fleck, Brenda Lee, Charlie Daniels, Bobby Vinton, Porter Wagner, Ray Price, the Oak Ridge Boys, Bill Anderson, and Allison Krauss.

Willie Nelson has appeared on five Sturr LPs.

"I read a book one time on Willie Nelson, and that's how this whole thing sort of started," Sturr said. "I read that Willie Nelson started in a Polka band back in his home state of Texas. So I thought, 'Well if I ever get the opportunity to meet Willie, I'm going to ask him if he would record with me.' Well, sure enough, not long after that, I had the opportunity to perform with Willie on the same show. After the show, I snuck around and said, 'Willie, would you be interested in recording some polkas with our band?' And he said, 'I'd love to do that. And we did. That was back in around 1998."

By then, Sturr was already a big star, thanks to the Grammy Awards. 

The Recording Academy didn't get around to declaring Polka a genre worthy of its own award until 1986, when Frankie Yankovic won that first award.  The next year, Sturr won the first of his Grammys, starting a string of six consecutive Grammys for best Polka album.  He would win 12 more before the category was eliminated in 2009.  Since 2011, Polka artists have been eligible for awards in the Regional Roots Music category, but so far, no Polka act has won that award.

"If we had not won 18 Grammys, I think we would be just another, quote, polka band," Sturr said. "But the Grammys meant so much. You get to meet a lot of people, people like Willie Nelson. I mean, from that, we got to play Farm Aid. I'm sure we wouldn't be doing that If we hadn't won those Grammys."

In his effort to appeal to younger music fans, Sturr has always welcomed a variety of musicians into his band.  His current guitarist is Chris Caffery, lead guitarist for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

"That's one reason I like to tour with Chris Caffery," Sturr said, explaining his desire to reach young fans. "He comes out with the long hair, and he does rock guitar with the horns, and it sounds quite good. It's a good mix. And, of course, the young kids all of a sudden, they're right into it. And the next song I play would probably be a Polka. And those kids are still getting into it. They'll get into the polka." 

Sturr's performance at Batavia Downs on Thursday is part of WBBZ's Polka Buzz broadcast from Batavia Downs.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Batavia Downs official tickets website, BataviaConcerts.com.   Tickets can also be purchased at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Tickets can be redeemed for $20 in Free Play on the day of the show.

Photos: GO ART!'s steel drum concert on Saturday

By Howard B. Owens

GO ART! hosted a steel drum band concert in the City Centre concourse on Saturday.

The featured bands were: 

  • Ithaca College, “I C Steel” 
  • Steel Alchemy Community Steelband from Geneseo
  • Rochester Institute of Technology’s “Tiger Steel” 
  • Lancaster High School, “Carnival Kids Steel Orchestra”  

Photos by Howard Owens

Swift, Mars, Elvis and Disco coming to Batavia Downs

By Press Release

Press Release:

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced the onsale dates for two upcoming concerts taking place at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel’s Park Place Room along with the facility’s first “Silent Disco.”

22K Magic – a Tribute to Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars makes it’s Batavia Downs debut on Saturday, September 2nd.  Hailing from Canada, music talents Carla and Joshua bring the spirit and energy of Taylor and Bruno to their performances.  Together, they put on a show with all your favorite songs, clean lyrics and a whole lot of fun.  Tickets are $15 and attendees receive $10 in Free Play on the day of the show.

Also making his first appearance at Batavia Downs is Rick Alviti’s Tribute to Elvis “That’s the Way it Was.” This Elvis tribute is high-energy and full of audience interaction.  Rick has performed all over the country and in many parts of the world including the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.   This tribute to Elvis show is truly the closest thing to a live Elvis performance you will ever see or hear.  The event is happening on Saturday, September 9.  Tickets are $30 for VIP, $20 for General Admission and attendees receive $15 in Free Play on the day of the show.

For the first time ever, Batavia Downs will be hosting a “Silent Disco” on Saturday, September 16.  A Silent Disco is an event where people dance to music listened to on wireless headphones rather than on speakers. Several types of music will be broadcast to attendees who are wearing those headphones, so party goers could be listening to several different types of music at a given time.  Since those without the headphones hear no music, the effect is a room full of people dancing to no sound.  Tickets for this event are $20 and include $10 in Free Play. 

Tickets for these events will be available at www.BataviaConcerts.com beginning on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

“We are thrilled to welcome these new and exciting events to Batavia Downs this fall,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO for Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “Tribute concerts featuring modern pop stars have proven to be a huge draw to attract new guests into our facility.  We know there are many Elvis fans out there and WNY’s own Rick Alviti is one of the best at preserving the King’s music for all his fans.  With so many of our own employees enjoying Silent Discos at other entertainment venues, we knew it was time to do one here.”

Round II of All-County offers 'pinnacle' experience: music students can make music together

By Joanne Beck

By 5:45 p.m. Friday, the dense heat was broken up by intermittent breezes, which provided some cool comfort for a group of students in the back of Le Roy Junior-Senior High School.

They weren’t playing baseball or having a picnic, or goofing around at all. Students and music teachers were at the tail end of a three-hour practice in prep for Saturday’s Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators Association All-County chorus and band concerts. The band room doors were wide open, leaking out a steady rhythm of brass, woodwinds and percussion.

This is Kiptyn Cone’s first all-county event, and he’s enjoying it, he said. His favorite performance piece is “Metal Heads,” which, as the name implies, features a lot of heavy metal style and metal sounds, including cowbells and brake drums. A fifth-grader from Le Roy, Kiptyn is a percussionist who really appreciates the full drum set.

“With all the toms and the snare drum and bass drum with the foot pedal and high hat and splendid cymbal,” he said during a quick break.

The 10-year-old is following in his older brother’s footsteps, but he also believes the drums have an important role in a band.

“They’re keeping the beat, kind of the rest of the band depends on the percussion, the drums in particular. And because we’re the ones like, boom, boom, boom, keeping the beat so they know what to follow,” he said, sharing how he feels about Saturday’s concert. “I’m actually not feeling nervous. I feel pretty prepared. I feel like I know my stuff.”

Kiptyn is far from alone in this being his first all-county music festival. With COVID-19 and the shutdown of schools and most everything, the festival was swept up in that as well. Kids missed out on those opportunities for four years.

Dan Klinczar, vice president of the GW Music Educators Association, is not even sure if 10th graders ever had the chance to participate in all-county. The festival involves all school districts in Genesee County, plus Attica from Wyoming County.

“So for most of the students and all the junior high, and all of the elementary, this is their first all-county experience. So they get to work with a guest conductor, and they get to work for a long time. It's a long practice. So it's a really good opportunity for them to make music with other really strong and dedicated musicians across the county, which is the really cool thing,” Klinczar said. “That's the pinnacle of what musicians want to do -- make music with others. “It’s getting together today and tomorrow before the concert. They'll rehearse tomorrow from nine to 1:30 back in the same spot before they do a concert.

"And like I said, it’s a culminating event for them, you know, and this is supposed to be a mountain experience for kids because it's the opportunity for them to make music with others, and see that people across the county and outside of their small little niche of their own school who can make music and have fun together," he said. "And we’ll be awarding a couple of awards tomorrow. “

The John Mikalski Memorial Career Scholarship will be presented to seniors Evan Williams and Jackson Cain, both of Le Roy.

At 18 and about to graduate, Cain is debating which college to attend. It’s an 80-20 split, with Fredonia State College carrying more weight than Nazareth, he said, to pursue a degree in music education. He’s on a career track to teach music and, hopefully, right in his own hometown.

He is eight years older than Kiptyn and every bit as passionate about the percussion section.

“I think, with all the other tonic instruments, like the ones that have the pitches and all that, it's very easy to express yourself. And I liked that. But with something like a snare drum or a drum set, it's more difficult to bring that out. And I think that's really cool that you can, you know, if you hear someone play a snare drum, you're expecting like, oh … military,” he said. “And then if they come out, and they play the solo that's like, oh, wow, I get expression through this, even though it's just one pitch, I still get that story, and I get what is happening. So I think that's really cool. That you can take something almost one dimensional as a snare drum and turn it into something that's like, artistic and beautiful like that.”

He admitted that, at first, he wasn’t looking forward to a three-hour after-school practice. But then there’s something about several strangers coming together to create something brand new together.

“And then just like, instantly, it all comes together, because we're all practiced, and we all know what we're doing. And it's like, wow, it's like, it's just super fun that, off the ground floor, we all have a very strong understanding of the pieces,” he said. “And we really get to hear these, you know, live, and it's like, we get to watch them grow and build, it's really, really cool. I love every bit of it.”

Cain credits music teacher “Mr. N" (Nordhausen), who first taught him in fourth-grade band, has a sense of humor and other similarities that Cain can relate to, and is a fifth and sixth-grade band teacher; and Miss Dotts, “an incredible band teacher” for grades seven through 12.

The future high school graduate also described a pivotal moment that validated what he wanted to do in life. When a band director was out sick, Cain was picked to fill in, and he worked with students in band camp. He taught drumline and how to march, and afterward realized that he helped those kids.

“And even from then on, it's like, it's helped me realize a lot of things about myself, like marching band specifically was one where I realized if I apply myself, I will see the results that I want. If I really work hard, and I really focus on something that, if I'm passionate about it, I'll see the results that I want,” he said. “And then, of course, the no-brainer’s music education, and then, finding that this is a huge passion for me, and I love doing this and … this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to cultivate this experience for other kids.”

Photos by Howard Owens

Photos: Beach Boys celebrated in tribute band concert at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

It was sun, sand and crashing waves in Batavia Downs' Park Place Event Center on Saturday night, where the Beach Party Boys, a tribute band honoring the legacy of the quintessential Southern California surf band, The Beach Boys, put on a rocking show.

 The Beach Party Boys ran through all the Beach Boys' biggest hits for a near-capacity crowd.

Previously: 'Good Vibrations' expected at Batavia Downs on Saturday with Beach Party Boys in concert

Photos by Howard Owens

Sponsored Post: Genesee Symphony Orchestra presents a performance of Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra! Get your tickets today

By Lisa Ace


On April 1st at 7:00pm at the Elba High School, the Genesee Symphony Orchestra with Conductor S. Shade Zajac will be joined by world renowned soloists YooJin Jang (violin) and Mimi Hwang (cello) for a performance of Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra. This performance will mark the completion of a gigantic project started during Mr. Zajac’s first season with the GSO: performing all of the Concertos composed by Brahms. The concert will also include the emotional and exhilarating Fourth Symphony in D Minor by Robert Schumann. Please join the Orchestra for this monumental milestone! Click here to purchase your tickets now!

'Good Vibrations' expected at Batavia Downs on Saturday with Beach Party Boys in concert

By Howard B. Owens

At 10 years old in June 1963, Fernando Curcione was walking down a street in his Toronto neighborhood when he saw two girls dancing to a Beach Boys record on a veranda. They invited him to come on up and listen to the music.

That's the first time Curcione heard the Beach Boys, and 60 years later, he still loves their music for all the same reasons -- the harmonies and the happiness.

Curcione will bring his "Endless Summer" enthusiasm for the Beach Boys to Batavia Downs on Saturday night with the tribute band Beach Party Boys.

"It was just feel-good, uptempo music," Curcione said to The Batavian. "Years later, when I thought about everything in retrospect, of all the music that came out in the 60s, the Beach Boys, out of everything that happened -- the psychedelic era, and Motown, and R&B, in the British Invasion, everything that happened in the 60s -- it seemed to me that the Beach Boys had a wholesome kind of sound that rang with me. It just was fun music. It appeals to audiences, family audiences, and that's basically where I wanted to go, and the guys that are part of the show are the same type of chemistry."

The Beach Boys came out of the surf music scene in Southern California, adding vocal harmonies to what had been purely instrumental music -- first crafted by Dick Dale and quickly followed by bands like The Safaries, The Bel-Airs, and The Chantays -- and helped revolutionize rock and roll.  Before the Beach Boys, surf music had largely been a regional phenomenon.  But as Curcione's experience shows, the appeal of the Beach Boys (and all surf music after them) exploded beyond the California coastline and endures well into the 21st Century.

Who hasn't heard, even among the young, songs such as "Let's Go Surfin'," "California Girls," "I Get Around," "Surfin' USA," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Help Me, Rhonda," and, of course, "Good Vibrations," Brian's Wilson's three-minute, 35-second pop song symphony.

Beach Party Boys formed in 2010 and is comprised of four guys who worked in previous Beach Boys tribute bands -- Kokomo and Endless Summer -- and a drummer who worked the long-running Collingwood Elvis Festival, which was a celebration of Elvis Presley tribute acts.

The band's lineup is Curcione on rhythm guitar and the Mike Love vocal parts, Guy Schryer on keyboards and the Brian Wilson vocal parts, Marco Spadafora drums, Andrew Canning, bass, and Jeff Scott, lead guitar.

Not too many bands last 13 years, Curcione noted.

On Saturday, Curcione said Beach Boys fans can hear all of the classics, including the band's last #1 hit, "Kokomo" (1988). Beach Party Boys even tackle some of the trickier tracks laid down by the Beach Boys when Brian Wilson became experimental in the studio after he stopped touring with the band -- starting with "Pet Sounds" -- and setting the bar higher for The Beatles to produce ever more complex and intriguing pop songs.

"It's absolutely impossible to do what they did in the studio," Curcione said. "For example, the biggest challenge is 'Good Vibrations.' It was recorded in three different studios with three different sections of the song. So when we're playing it as a five-piece band, we are taking liberties to use the instruments that we have in relation to the notes that were created by other instruments. For example, at the end of 'Good Vibrations,' you will hear a cello doing this staccato kind of thing. What I do is I turn up my Stratocaster, and I'll do exactly the same notes in the bass section of the guitar to try to emulate that sound. In terms of the harmonies, there's nothing missing from the four-part and five-part harmonies. They are completely covered. So whatever you hear on those records in the studio, we are able to reproduce it live."

As for the Theremin used in "Good Vibrations,"? Well, now bands such as Beach Party Boys have synthesizers (barely even a thing in 1966), and Curcione said it reproduces that wavy, psychedelic sound that is so recognizable in "Good Vibrations" just fine.

"Pet Sounds" -- generally considered by critics as one of the greatest LPs ever recorded -- is well represented in the Beach Party Boys set, Curcione said. They perform "Sloop John B," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and, of course, "God Only Knows."

"I can put the 'Pet Sounds' CD on in my car, and I never get tired of it," Curcione said. "I mean, 'God Only Knows' is Paul McCartney's favorite song of all time, so that's a testament right there. I mean, Paul is an absolute genius with some of the melodies that he has come up with."

The set isn't limited to the Beach Boys catalog. They also perform other classics of the period and genre, such as Jan and Dean's "Surf City" and "GTO" by Ronnie and the Daytonas.

While the Beach Boys had a big impact on Curcione's musical life and career, his musical interests go well beyond just one band. He was a DJ for 30 years. He's an agent for Booking House, a company that specializes in booking tribute bands, including Beach Party Boys. In 2008, he released a CD of original music. He has played in and plays in other tribute bands, such as ones for the Four Seasons and, most recently, Elvis Presley. 

"We have a tribute to Elvis because of the movie that just came out," Curcione said. "There's been a resurgence of an appeal for Elvis Presley, and it seems that because Austin Butler is 23 years old. He's attracted fans that are as young as 16, 17 years old. That whole world has opened up. It's not just the baby boomers that are going to Elvis shows now."

With all this experience booking and playing in tribute bands, you might expect Curcione to have some idea why tribute bands have exploded in popularity in recent years.  And he does.

First, there are certain bands you can't see any more because key members (or all the members) are dead.  It's impossible to see The Beatles or the BeeGees, for example.

Also, he said, ticket prices are through the roof.

"With some of the international acts like Bruce Springsteen, I couldn't believe that I saw ticket prices up to $1,000. I said, 'What the heck is going on?' Curcione said. "When I was a kid, we'd buy a concert ticket for $3.50 or, at the most, 10 bucks, but it's gone insane. So, if you're a fan of, for example, the Eagles, and you can't afford $300 for a seat, you can go see Hotel California for 40 bucks. I think that's among what appeals to fans."

Show time on Saturday is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, and VIP seats (the first two rows) are $25.  Tickets include $10 in free play in the casino. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for this show, as well as others, are always available at www.bataviaconcerts.com or at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop in the Batavia Down's lobby.

Video: Promotional video by Booking House Inc.

The 4th Annual Musicians of Note celebrates five inductees to the Class of 2023

By Steve Ognibene

The 4th Annual Musicians of Note celebrates five inductees to the Class of 2023

Last evening at Batavia High School, the fourth annual “Musicians of Note” paid tribute to honorees of the Class of 2023.

This year’s honorees were:

  • Diana Dipson Class of 1929, 1911-1997
  • Melanie  “Melzie” Lakin Case, Class of 2012
  • Deanna Spiotta, Class of 2005
  • Brian Fontaine-Isaac, Class of 2001
  • Gloria McLauglin, retired music teacher, 1970-1989

The 2022 Musicians of Note honoree Mark Hoerbelt was recognized last evening, as he was unable to attend last year.

Each candidate was recognized for their music successes in high school, college and post-education studies by a tribute video narrated by the Master of Ceremonies Paul Spiotta.  Some of the candidates each performed on stage with their music of choice, accompanied by students and staff.

The school district honored two very dear colleagues and supporters of the Batavia Music Department.

First was James Owen, son of Frank E. Owen, a strong supporter of the music department at BHS.  He contributed scholarships, served on the Committee of Musicians of Note and was praised for his kindness, generosity, passion and sense of humor.

Second was previous BHS band director, 2001 Musicians of Note honoree, Ken Hay, who taught many students at BHS and made a strong impact for 20 years.  He was remembered by many for his inspiration, talent and nurturing of the students he taught.

Superintendent Jason Smith spoke highly and dearly of both Jim Owen and Ken Hay, who recently passed away in his opening remarks along with congratulating the Class of 2023 inductees, ending with a quote from Jimi Hendrix, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.”

The Musician of Note Committee is accepting nominations for next year's honorees though October. You may find the application for the Musician of Note on BCSD Website or email JHaggett@bataviacsd.org to have one emailed to you personally for future nominations or click here.

The above photo is provided. Pictured left to right, Gloria McLauglin, Mark Hoerbelt ( Class of 2022 inductee ) Deanna Spiotta, Brian Fontaine-Isaac, Melanie Lakin Case “Melzie”, not pictured Diana Dipson.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Pictured left to right, Jane Haggett-Paladino Music Department Chairperson, Jason Smith BCSD Superintendent, Paul Kesler, BHS Principal, Melzie Case, Class of 2023 Inductee

Melanie "Melzie" Case, Class of 2012

Deanna Spiotta, Class of 2005

Brian Fontaine-Isaac, Class of 2001

Gloria McLaughlin - Retired Music Teacher 1970-1989

Mark Hoerbelt - 2022 Musicians of Note Inductee

Polka legend Jimmy Sturr to play Batavia Downs on April 27

By Press Release

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced that WBBZ’s popular show, Polka Buzz, will return on Thursday, April 27th, bringing with them this time the 18-time grammy award-winning Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra. 

Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra have won 18 out of the 24 Grammy Awards given for Best Polka Album. Sturr's orchestra is on the Top Ten List of the All-Time Grammy Awards and has acquired more Grammy nominations than anyone in the history of musical polka awards.

WBBZ will tape several shows inside the Park Place Room with doors at 6 p.m. and taping with music to begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on the Batavia Downs official tickets website, BataviaConcerts.com, now.   Tickets can also be purchased at the Lucky Treasures Gift Shop. Tickets can be redeemed for $20 in Free Play on the day of the show.

Those wishing to spend the night can take advantage of a $69 Hotel Special, which includes $20 in Free Play ($10 per person, based on double occupancy) and includes two tickets to the show.  Check out the Batavia Downs Facebook Page for info on booking a hotel room to receive these perks.

“Polka Buzz” celebrates Polka music as a recorded dance party program featuring the top Polka Bands in the country.  Local Media Personality Ron Dombrowski hosts the show and brings his knowledge of Polka music to the television screen. Dombrowski has been broadcasting polka programs since 1979 on both radio and television.

“The Polka Buzz tapings have become an anticipated event here on site,” said Henry Wojtaszek, President and CEO at Batavia Downs.  “We are confident that by bringing in a Polka Legend like Jimmy and his Orchestra, even more, Western New Yorkers will come out and enjoy good music, food and company!”

The Homestretch Grill, located adjacent to the Park Place Room, will feature food and drink specials for those attending the event.  Several specials, including Tyskie Beer, Krupnik Vodka and a Polish Platter, will be available.

Photos: KISS This at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

With all the flash and bang of the real thing, tribute band KISS This entertained a packed room at Batavia Downs on Friday night.

Photos by Angelina Miconi for Batavia Downs.

Notes of remembrance: farewell to former music educator Ken Hay

By Joanne Beck

Ken Hay, one of the most relentless, unforgettable and endearing forces behind the music program at Batavia City Schools, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 28. He is being remembered by former students, staff and friends for his inspiration, talent, confident swagger, and compassionate spirit.

Joshua Pacino, a 2001 Batavia High School grad, has lots of fond and funny memories of Hay, who was band director at the high school from 1982 to 2003.

"Ken Hay was full of bombast and bluster, but he was an incredibly kind teacher. In my freshman year of high school, I was hanging out with my girlfriend at the football game and missed the bus back to school,” Pacino said. “After walking into the band room 30 minutes late, I was expecting to be thoroughly reprimanded. Instead, he just gave me a look and told me my uniform and trombone were by the door and needed to be put away.

"He could be tough on his students. During a rehearsal, he would yell and holler about wanting more from us or explaining that his grandmother could do it better and she was dead,” Pacino said. “But, he was also a champion for them. You would often hear him yell out ‘Nice!’ or ‘Great job!’ in the middle of a piece, sometimes even during the concert, because he wanted you to know you had done well.”

Not only has Pacino walked away with musical lessons and memories from a beloved teacher, but he too is a music teacher, at Batavia Notre Dame High School.

“Most of the music teachers I know chose their profession because one of their own music teachers had a profound impact on their lives. I have been fortunate to have had several such teachers over the years. Each shaped who I am as a teacher, a musician, and as a person,” Pacino said. “When I left music school, I was afraid he was going to think I was a failure. He was, as I should have known, incredibly understanding, kind, and supportive of my decision. That kindness would continue over the years as I finally decided to return to music school, earned my degrees, and began my teaching career.

"We lost Ken Hay today, but I know that his talent and compassion will live on through the decades worth of students that he taught and the uncountable number of lives upon which he had a profound impact,” Pacino said.

A positive influence
Tom Jones played trumpet and met Hay in the summer of 1984 as a freshman in marching band. The 1988 BHS grad played in field marching, concert, jazz, and parade marching bands, and “anything else Mr. Hay requested of me,” he said. That included playing “Taps” at the end of Memorial Day parades in his junior and senior years, and “Amazing Grace” at a service for Terry Anderson, who was being held hostage in Iran.

“Mr. Hay was always providing ways, for me at least, to help me grow as a young man and encourage me.  For example, every Batavia Pageant of Bands, a senior band member was chosen to be his second in charge, attend meetings, coordination of adult volunteers, all band students,” Jones said. “I was with the program all four years at BHS.  Band was my favorite subject, and Mr. Hay was my most influential teacher.  I saw him every day, some evenings for jazz or marching band practices, home football games, occasional weekends for pageant competitions, parades, etc. 

“He was a very big part of my life growing up, and one the reasons why I have continued to play in multiple musical organizations since graduating BHS,” Jones said. 

Michael Muller posted his online condolences, crediting Hay for making Alexander into "a fabulous band program, in the 70s, before he came to Batavia."

"He inspired me to be the Band Director I am today. He got me started with HS NYSSMA Solos, my college auditions, all of it. The last time I saw him was when we honored him at the 2003 Batavia Pageant of Bands, which was the year he retired," Muller said. "He was a fabulous educator, conductor, leader, mentor and friend. He was the real deal, no excuses, and always got us to do great things, be it in concert band, marching band, pit orchestra, or jazz ensemble. RIP Hayster!!"

The year 1987 was a hard one for Jason Mapes, just a teenager at the time, and it was Hay who lifted him from constant pain by being attentive and caring.

“My father passed away unexpectedly in February of 1987, and that was a dark time for me, I was only 13. I had just learned how to play the trumpet a few years back under his wife, Melinda. That summer, just a few months before starting high school, Mr. Hay kept me busy and distracted. I helped him put in his swimming pool on Ellicott Street,” Mapes said. “This one time, at band camp, I learned patience and discipline and hard work. I began to gain confidence and friends and shared such wonderful memories. I participated in everything I could: band, marching band, jazz band (my favorite), chorus, orchestra. I was in the pit for two school musicals and almost became a music educator. I would have put my horn down for good before high school had it not been for Mr. Hay.”

He said he’ll never forget the manner in which Hay taught him how to shake hands. He never let you do it without putting all you had into it.

“To this day, I still play in a few local music groups, and whenever I shake someone's hand, I almost rip it off!” Mapes said. 

Lifelong lessons
Batavia City Schools Superintendent Jason Smith obtained music education from not only Hay but also other deep-rooted instruction, he said.

“As a proud BHS music alumnus, Class of 1990, I am saddened by the passing of our beloved Mr. Hay. He was not only an excellent music teacher of mine for four years, I learned valuable life and leadership lessons from him that serves me well to this day,” Smith said. “He was one of the first to contact me when I was named superintendent here, and his message of congratulations meant so much to me. Music has been and is an important part of my life, and Mr. Hay has been an integral part of the strong BCSD music tradition.”

You can tune a tuba, but you can’t tune a fish. That was one of Hay’s final true/false exam questions that Bob Pastecki remembers from his student days in 1986-87. Pastecki played trumpet for concert and jazz band, and mellophone for marching band.

What did it mean to be part of the music program?

“My younger brother was the athlete. This gave me something to do as an extracurricular activity,” Pastecki said.

“I now run The Mark Time Marchers, a fire department marching band that does 25-30 parades a year," he said. "I also serve as the Finance Manager for The Batavia Concert Band. So music is still a big part of my life.”

Playing mellophone was interesting, he said, because it is in a different key than trumpet, and his music teacher never told him that.

“He only told me that the notes on the staff were the same fingerings for both instruments. That meant I played the wrong scale to warm up,” Pastecki said. “He looked right behind me and said, ‘One of you trumpets is AWFULLY flat.’ It took me 15 years to tell him it was me. We had a good laugh at that.”

Batavia Board of Education member Alice Ann Benedict knew Ken Hay not only through the board but also because her daughter Emily had him in the band throughout her years in the district.

“Mr. Hay was a wonderful person and a very capable director of the music department. He was enthusiastic about introducing music into the lives of many of the students, starting at a very young age,” Benedict said. “Emily said to me that Mr. Hay was one of her favorite and most influential teachers. I will remember that he always had a smile on his face. He was always positive about improving the music department, and he was a dedicated teacher to the students of the district.”

Kenneth “Ken” Hay was a 1966 graduate of Byron-Bergen Central School and participated in Concert Band, Concert Choir, Yearbook Club, and Wrestling. After graduating high school, he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Fredonia State College, after which he continued with graduate work at Fredonia, Brockport and Geneseo state colleges, and the University of New Hampshire at Durham.

He taught music at East Irondequoit, Alexander and Batavia school districts. He started working as Batavia City High School band director from 1982 until his retirement in 2003, being named Music Department chairman in 1991. Hay played a significant role in the success of Batavia’s concert and marching bands, jazz ensemble, and the musical pit orchestra.

For many years, he organized the Pageant of Bands in Batavia to show the musical talents of high school bands. He directed the pit orchestra for Batavia Rotary Club productions for many years.

Hay served as president of the Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators’ Association and was a member of the New York State School Music Association. Accolades include Paul Harris Fellowship (awarded by the Rotary Club), the University of Rochester’s Teaching in Secondary Schools Award (1995), recognition by Warner School of Education as being a Teacher of Excellence (2003) and earned a GO ART! Genesee-Orleans Community Arts Award (2003).

Hay shared his musical passion, inspiring students to "make music, not just play music,” and was a 2020 Musician of Note, a wall of fame to honor past BHS graduates in music.

As Jason Mapes said, “RIP Mr. Hay — you will be missed!”

Announcements of spring and summer events begin to unfold

By Joanne Beck

Sunset has expanded to 5:45 p.m. now, have you noticed? And local organizers are taking every minute of daylight for inspiration to plan beer walks, cookouts, an outreach, trail run, and music in the parks.

First up is Febrewary — no, that’s not a typo, though the computer keeps wanting to edit. With 21 stops throughout downtown Batavia, this event promises a nice sampling of craft brews, ciders and meads, according to Shannon Maute, executive director the Business Improvement District-sponsored event.

The event, set for 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25, was just picking up steam for a few years when COVID hit, and it was derailed in 2021, resuming the crafty beer fun walk last year.

A close replica to the BID’s popular fall wine walk, Febrewary features tastings at various downtown merchants, many of which will have specials, drawings, and giveaways, Maute said.

Of the featured brewmeisters, 810 Meadworks of Medina, Windy Brew from Sheldon and OSB Ciderworks from Buffalo have been confirmed. Not familiar with a mead? This libation is made with honey, and dates back to Biblical times as “probably the first fermented beverage,” the company’s website states.

“More versatile than liquor, wine, or beer, mead can taste like a refreshing summer shandy, a hoppy IPA, a full-bodied Cabernet, or a fine dessert wine,” it states.

Windy Brew is a Wyoming County-based brewery of craft beers, and OSB’s lineup of ciders will be featuring anything from the crispy bite of homegrown concord grapes from along the Finger Lakes, and Intergalactic Raspberry combined with hibiscus flower, to the Scotch Bonnet Bomber, described as “apple forward with a throat chop of spicy.”

Of course, brewmasters such as Eli Fish of Batavia are also expected to participate, as Maute is seeking out a sour, Belgian witbier, stout, lager and other varieties of craft brew.

General admission tickets are $30 and include a collectible snifter glass, snacks along the way, raffles and giveaways and tastings. VIP tickets are $40 and include all of the regular features plus an extra hour, from 4 to 8 p.m., an exclusive tasting and a food station.

Designated drivers will be able to partake of the specials, raffles, snacks and non-alcoholic tastings for $10.

There were a total of 600 tickets available and 25 for designated drivers. They may be purchased at Event Brite, and there will be a limited number of paper tickets available at Adam Miller Toy & Bicycle shop on Center Street and Yngodess on Main Street, Batavia. For more information, go to BID Febrewary.     

Care-A-Van Ministries is planning to have a series of cookouts at 5 p.m. every Thursday at Austin Park in Batavia. The event, led by Paul Ohlson, is set to run in June, July and August, and include a cookout of hotdogs, hamburgers, a variety of sides and live music each week. This is event is free to the public.

Living Waters Apostolic Ministries has also mapped out an event at Austin Park, to run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 16. Organized by Pastor Timothy Young, the community outreach is to include games, food, music, a sermon, prayer, and “showing love to the community.” This event is free to the public.

Beginning the last Wednesday in June, music lovers will find live music at Centennial Park for several Wednesdays throughout the summer. Batavia Concert Band is set to take the grassy stage at 7 p.m. on June 28; July 5, 12, 19, and 25; and Aug. 2 and 9. These concerts are free and open to the public. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and or blanket.

The Association for Conservation Of Recreational and Natural Spaces (better known as the ACORNS), a county parks volunteer organization, is planning its third annual music in the park event, however, has requested to use DeWitt Park this year to make it more accessible to folks. Batavia Concert Band is slated for a performance on Aug. 5 at the park on Cedar Street, Batavia. 

The ACORNS have also asked to use the Genesee County Park and Forest for its 11th annual 5K/10K trail run and walk fundraiser, set for Oct. 1. The event is expected to be approved by the county Legislature at a future meeting.

File Photo of Acorn run at Genesee County Park by Howard Owens.

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