In the Spring of 1996, John Walter, the retired director of the Whitehall School District in Pennsylvania, placed an advertisement in the local Avalon newspapers inviting musicians to “get together and play for fun.” Thirty-five musicians attended the first practice, forming what is known today as the John Walter Cape Community Band. Today, the band boasts more than 60 members and includes musicians of various ages and skill levels.
“I’ve been fortunate to have been part of the band since its founding by John Walter in 1996. He would be very proud that his vision for a true community band has been so long-lasting and successful, both in its growth in numbers and the quality of performance,” says Bob Fineberg, trombone player and President of the Board of Directors. Being a musician in the band allows individuals to hone their craft while engaging with the community. Gary Strickland, tenor sax, joined the band in 2023. “The JWB is the perfect fit for me. It is a lot of fun without a lot of pressure and it is nice to work with people of all ages and to give back to the community,” says Strickland. In addition to providing free concerts throughout the year, The John Walter Cape Community Band supports the local community with its Play-It-Again, Scholarship, and Food Bank Support programs.
New members join the band throughout the year including those who have not played for many years. “We have young people just starting out, older adults getting back to an activity they enjoyed in school, music educators, and everyone in between,” said Fineberg. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Lower Cape May Regional High School. The band is currently rehearsing for its summer concert series, “From Sea to Shore”.
Strickland echoes many members’ feelings about being in the band: “It is so enjoyable to play music again and make new friendships.” Individuals interested in joining the John Walter Cape Community Band can find information on their website at johnwalterband.org.
As a 501(c)3 corporation, the band is non-profit. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners through the Division of Culture & Heritage.
