Band buddy program will make musicians feel at home

By ALLISON MAY
Staff Writer

To avoid confusing situations and make each band feel comfortable in Danville, a “band buddy” has been assigned to each band this year at the annual Brass Band Festival. 

Elaine Hammonds, a member of a brass band committee and coordinator of the project, said in the past only one or two people were responsible for helping bands check in, making sure the directors know where to be and when, and providing other information. 

This year, however, each band will have its own “buddy” who will be responsible for checking his band in and out of dorms, finding places to eat, explaining the itinerary, answering questions, providing suggestions for area attractions and being that band’s personal assistant. 

Shan Kilhman, Linda Barnard, Elaine Harris, Ann Deim, Diana Devine, Jane Boyd and Jane Brown are several of the “buddies.” 

“The job is for us to take the stress away from the people who are coming to perform,” Hammonds said. “I’m a band director and when I take my band to play different places there is someone who can tell me the schedule and if things are running on time. Then all I have to worry about is making sure my kids perform.” 

The Grant County High School band director said the people who have been chosen are reliable and responsible and have had interest in the festival in past years. 

The “buddies” also will provide transportation for the bands if necessary, Hammonds said. 

“I’m looking forward to this because I think it’s important for the people who come to feel at home here,” Deim said.

“We are trying to make it so they are very comfortable here,” Hammonds said. “We want them to want to come back next year. If we take care of them and make them welcome, they will be more inclined to return.” 

In past years, communication has been a problem, she said, which can put added stress onto the performers. Now, with one person per band, those problems should be eliminated. 

“We felt like one person per group with a cell phone will add a whole new layer of hospitality,” she said. 

Although this is the first year for the “band buddies” program, Hammonds said it is something that would be carried on for years to come. 

“I think it’s a good addition to the festival,” she said. “It’s going to help solidify how good we are at doing this and how professional we are at pulling this festival off.”