CULLMAN – Garry Taylor is really into music. He is known to Cullman area residents as the retired band director for Cullman High School. And when a man who has spent a good part of his life conducting a band in Cullman decides to give it up, what does he do? Well, he conducts a band in Cullman, of course.
The Cullman Community Band is a group of more than 60 musicians that describes itself on its Facebook page as "an enriching and fun musical outlet for adult musicians in the Cullman area as well as quality symphonic band entertainment for the community."
Taylor says he was approached in 2005 by friend and fellow musician Robert Bean, a veteran music educator and professor of music at Wallace State, with the idea of bringing together the pool of musical talent in the Cullman area. The two approached then mayor Donald Green and the city council, receiving not only approval for a community band but even funding to get them started. Practice space and even access to some larger instruments was made available at Cullman Middle School, where Bean's wife Linda teaches music and directs the band. In Sept. 2005, the band held its first rehearsal, with Bean as conductor and Taylor as associate conductor. Taylor has since taken the reins, and now conducts the band.
The Cullman Community Band is today a symphonic band with brass, woodwind and percussion sections. With more than 60 members, there are plenty of instruments with a good balance in numbers, though Taylor does say he could use a few more percussionists.
He laughs about that, noting, "In school bands, it seems like everyone wants to play the drums!"
Its season roughly coincides with the school year, with the first rehearsal held the Monday after Labor Day in September and the last held the Monday before Memorial Day in May. Rehearsals are held at Cullman Middle School on Monday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. During its season, the band performs at Oktoberfest and the Strawberry Festival, and holds Christmas and spring concerts.
The next band performance will be the Christmas concert at Wallace State on Dec. 12. Sponsored by the Cullman Community Concert Series, it will be a free event for the public; attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods that will be donated to Cullman Caring for Kids.
Taylor, who also serves as the executive director of the Alabama Music Educators' Association, is proud of his local band: "There's a good pool of talent around here, and the group just keeps getting better."
For more information, visit "Cullman Community Band" on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/CullmanCommunityBand/)
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