BCB Spotlight Series
Who we are

John is one of the most senior members; he joined the band in the 80’s. John is a retired carpenter and currently works on his glass sculptures (check them out here! www.basglas.com). He plays alto horn and cornet.

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“Even though I've been in the band a long time, my best memories are all recent. The band has been reborn, first with Director Jelly Chan and now with Chi Sun. If you play a wind instrument or percussion, please consider joining the Brookline Community Band. Our Director, Chi Sun Chan is spectacular: he's an educator who loves music and is sensitive to players' needs and abilities. He will know from your audition where you may fit best in a section. Just as appealing are the players in the band. Everyone is able and trying to improve and people are nice to each other. Several sections are democratic in the sense of sharing solos with all players and players are serious about having fun. There's very little noodling and chatting during rehearsals. Making good music is more fun than making bad music. Despite not having all chairs full, Sun has made us into a good band".

She works as a communications officer at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit that works in environmental and science advocacy issues. She joined the Brookline Community Band in fall 2021, along with a wave of other newcomers when the band reopened after the pandemic.

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“I've been in a band for most of my life, and it was jarring to suddenly lose that musical community when I left college in 2019. I'm so glad this group exists for those who care about music and community to come together. Folks in this band are eager to sound good, but they're even more eager to make new friends and I love that!”

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This fall she is moving to NYC to pursue her MS in journalism at Columbia. “I will miss the band dearly, but will be looking for ways to continue making music when I'm away, and look forward to rejoining after I graduate!”

She is Research Associate at the Broad Institute.

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"I joined when the band started back up after Covid in October 2021 with some band friends in the area. I love our rehearsals and playing music. The best moment was when Mary wanted help doing percussion in the winter concert/YouTube series and I got to fulfill a lifelong dream to play slapstick during Sleigh Ride!

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Join the Brookline Band because we have some really amazing musical moments and get to work together to create an experience that none of us can have alone. Everyone is incredibly talented and it’s a super fun time!”

She is school librarian in Brookline, but for 18 years she taught languages at Brookline High School (French, Spanish and Latin).

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“I have two kids, ages 14 and 17, and they share a birthday! I love to read, mostly history, and recently have been reading about military deserters during WW2 and life in preHispanic Mexico. Fun fact: I am really good at writing backwards!

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I think people should join the band who miss playing their instruments, and not worry about their skill level. Being in the band motivated me to practice, to be ready for weekly rehearsals. It felt great to reactivate the musical part of my brain, and to have fun with new people”.

She plays flute and, outside of band, she is regulatory coordinator at Dana Farber Cancer Institute with the thoracic team.

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“I was drawn to the band because I was looking for a community where I could meet people who are just as passionate about making music as I am.

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I hadn't picked up my instrument for a while, and was looking for a space to help me rediscover how happy being in an ensemble made me. This group has definitely rekindled that! I've also met so many friendly people through this band, and made lasting memories with them”.

He plays trombone and works in Brand/Marketing for Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

“Trombone was a big part of my early life – from 5th grade through college. Jazz band, pit orchestra for musical productions, marching band, brass ensemble. Then I let it go for decades. During the recent quarantine period, I desperately needed to pick up a new hobby – and rediscovered my old trombone in the attic. I engaged a trombone teacher, Tommy Chiu, and he recommended that I audition with the Brookline Community Band. It’s been a great experience to play under Sun’s direction and with a diverse, talented group of musicians”.

She plays flute and works as a postdoctoral researcher at Joslin Diabetes Center/Harvard Medical School.

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“Music has been a constant in my life in many different ways and I have always enjoyed it. It’s also a great way to meet people when you're new in town. That's why I decided to join the Brookline Community Band when I moved to Boston from Spain. Playing with the BCB is a great experience that keeps me connected to the flute and gives me the opportunity to be part of a group that shares the same passion for music”.

He plays trombone and works in Finance. He joined the band in 2019 with his daughter Kate.

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“I am a low brass player, playing trombone, euphonium & tuba in various community bands in the area. I also have a brass-playing family with my daughters playing trombone, euphonium & french horn. I participate every winter in Boston's TubaChristmas - 150 tubas playing carols in downtown Boston.

I always enjoy the camaraderie and continuing my music that comes with participating in community bands. Being close to Boston, I find the Brookline Community Band is able to draw on the youthful energy of post-college players, balancing with those who have been with the band longer”.

She plays flute and works as a physician/researcher/teacher focused on how to improve adult and child health by improving the environment.

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“I joined the Brookline Community Band about 3 years ago and had a wonderful time playing with the band at nearby senior centers as well as at the Pierce School, our host elementary school in Brookline.

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When I was 8 years old, I enjoyed marching in our town’s Memorial Day parade, playing the same flute I play today!  

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Music and the ability to come together making music as an ensemble is a wonderful experience. Our conductor Chi-Sun Chan is remarkable-he has an incredible sense of rhythm and ability to communicate. He carried us through challenging times in the past 2+ years. Even when we couldn’t gather together as an ensemble he worked with us, taking our individual recorded parts and piecing them together into digital performances accessible online for the community”.

She plays percussion although her focus for most of her life was voice (soprano).

“Over ten years ago, I took a “Girls Don’t Play Drums” workshop with klezmer drummer Elaine Hoffman Watts, and was hooked. It’s nice to know that I am indeed coordinated enough to play drums and that it’s never too late to make a switch.

I’ve been in the band about five or six years now and have enjoyed learning and growing, and look forward to continuing to do so with our wonderful variety of music”.