A delightful afternoon by the famous Narragansett Towers with two good old friends celebrating a third season of Town Band Banter. The audience comment encouraging us to incorporate clip on mics was brilliant and made this shot possible, thank you for that comment and all others! We are looking forward to your suggestions for season 4!

Please help spread the word about our little program by sharing links to your favorite episodes with your many friends. If you haven’t already subscribed, please do that. It helps US a lot and YOU won’t miss new episodes as we post them.

Enjoy the reflections and intentions for the future while we “Banter by the Beach”!

As always, you can connect with Doc and Dave at info@TownBandBanter.com

A delightful afternoon by the famous Narragansett Towers with two good old friends celebrating a third season of Town Band Banter. The audience comment encouraging us to incorporate clip on mics was brilliant and made this shot possible, thank you for that comment and all others! We are looking forward to your suggestions for season 4!

Please help spread the word about our little program by sharing links to your favorite episodes with your many friends. If you haven’t already subscribed, please do that. It helps US a lot and YOU won’t miss new episodes as we post them.

Enjoy the reflections and intentions for the future while we “Banter by the Beach”!

As always, you can connect with Doc and Dave at info@TownBandBanter.com

From Town Band Banter Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7I admit it, this was the first episode that brought a heartfelt tear to my eye while editing! The discussion builds throughout the episode with emotionally up-lifting stories (of course, mixed with the usual humorous tangents) about how powerful music experiences can be in building connections for young students through adults using the power of music. Nicole O’Malley founded Hands in Harmony in 2003 as a small private practice that has evolved into a statewide driving force in music therapy care, while also advancing legislation, clinical training, and professional pathways across Rhode Island. Building on that work, she developed the Music Therapy program at the University of Rhode Island, expanding opportunities for education, research, and clinical training and helping shape the future of music therapy in Rhode Island and throughout New England.Her personal story about how she discovered this career path and her incredible drive toward filling gaps in care that can uniquely be filled through music therapy are all inspirational! If you are anything like me, you might need a tissue handy for laughing tears leading up to a genuine emotional moment somewhere near the end of the episode. We are hoping to use this as a springboard to building more connections between music education settings/teachers and the world of music therapy. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and valued!As always, you can connect with Doc and Dave at info@TownBandBanter.comThe “Hands in Harmony” and Nicole O’Malley’s contact information is:Email: info@hihri.orgWebsite: www.hihri.orgPhone: (401)-783-4810 (hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm EST)

From Town Band Banter Podcast, Season 3, Episode 7I admit it, this was the first episode that brought a heartfelt tear to my eye while editing! The discussion builds throughout the episode with emotionally up-lifting stories (of course, mixed with the usual humorous tangents) about how powerful music experiences can be in building connections for young students through adults using the power of music. Nicole O’Malley founded Hands in Harmony in 2003 as a small private practice that has evolved into a statewide driving force in music therapy care, while also advancing legislation, clinical training, and professional pathways across Rhode Island. Building on that work, she developed the Music Therapy program at the University of Rhode Island, expanding opportunities for education, research, and clinical training and helping shape the future of music therapy in Rhode Island and throughout New England.Her personal story about how she discovered this career path and her incredible drive toward filling gaps in care that can uniquely be filled through music therapy are all inspirational! If you are anything like me, you might need a tissue handy for laughing tears leading up to a genuine emotional moment somewhere near the end of the episode. We are hoping to use this as a springboard to building more connections between music education settings/teachers and the world of music therapy. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and valued!As always, you can connect with Doc and Dave at info@TownBandBanter.comThe “Hands in Harmony” and Nicole O’Malley’s contact information is:Email: info@hihri.orgWebsite: www.hihri.orgPhone: (401)-783-4810 (hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm EST)

Town Band Banter with Doc and Dave Season 3, Episode 6

Dave and I enjoyed a spirited discussion winding through a wide range of topics with Mark Bedrossian and his assistant Anna Masusock. Of course we discussed Mark’s musical instrument repair skills at the foundation of the business, but so much more! Even though the business model has shifted from a focus on school music programs, much of the conversation revealed the music education (private teachers on staff) and customer service components that drive most of their current success. Community Band members and aspiring young music students all have a place here. For locals that have known Bedrossian Music for all or some of Mark’s 48 years of service, the evolved Bedrossian Music is worth a second look. For those new to Bedrossian Music, there are several unique niches that should be well worth the effort to explore. Thanks to Mark and Anna for the visit and all they contribute to the Rhode Island region’s music community!

Contact Bedrossian Music, 78 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02888. 401-270-5379, https://bedrossianmusic.com

As always, please contact Doc and Dave via: info@TownBandBanter.com Comments are always welcomed and replied to ASAP…

Dave and I enjoyed a spirited discussion winding through a wide range of topics with Mark Bedrossian and his assistant Anna Masusock. Of course we discussed Mark’s musical instrument repair skills at the foundation of the business, but so much more! Even though the business model has shifted from a focus on school music programs, much of the conversation revealed the music education (private teachers on staff) and customer service components that drive most of their current success. Community Band members and aspiring young music students all have a place here. For locals that have known Bedrossian Music for all or some of Mark’s 48 years of service, the evolved Bedrossian Music is worth a second look. For those new to Bedrossian Music, there are several unique niches that should be well worth the effort to explore. Thanks to Mark and Anna for the visit and all they contribute to the Rhode Island region’s music community!

Contact Bedrossian Music, 78 Post Rd., Warwick, RI 02888. 401-270-5379, https://bedrossianmusic.com

As always, please contact Doc and Dave via: info@TownBandBanter.com Comments are always welcomed and replied to ASAP…

Both Dave and Doc have a wonderful friend in this episode’s guest: General Reginald Centracchio. Beyond the fantastic contributions through his military career, he has also contributed to the State of Rhode Island through his trumpet playing and booking and organization of many music opportunities. Now retired from the military, Reggie is the Chair of the 250th Celebration for the the State of Rhode Island as well as his hometown of Scituate, RI. His countless contributions throughout the small, but complex and diverse state are unprecedented. His presence in front of a microphone as well as while leading musical and community events has always been exceptional. We had a great time sharing stories and memories as always with a guy we cherish to call a friend. We hope you enjoy the ride!

S3E5 An Earful of Banter with Dr. Rachel Smith

Nothing has been more interesting to us than exploring the perspective of a professional audiologist. We were very lucky to connect with a former elementary school and junior high band student of Dave’s, Dr. Rachel Smith. She was able to offer very practical recommendations for how to care for our ears, especially as performing musicians. In addition, she offered news of breakthroughs in developments in hearing aid technology that should be very helpful to musicians.

Dr. Rachel Smith completed clinical residency at a large ENT practice in Rhode Island and remained at the practice for almost 9 years following graduation. While there, she performed adult and pediatric diagnostic testing including hearing tests and vestibular and electro-physiological diagnostic assessments. She specialized in hearing aid evaluations and dispensing, as well as adult cochlear implants. As the Audiology Clinic Director at URI, Dr. Smith currently provides hearing testing and hearing aid services to the local community while giving undergraduate students the opportunity to learn in an active clinical setting.

Contact through URI audiology Department: rachelsmith@uri.edu Office Location: Independence Square. Academic inquiries: 401.874.2735 Clinic Inquiries: 401.874.5969

As always, please contact Doc and Dave via: info@TownBandBanter.com Comments are always welcomed and replied to ASAP…

Both Dave and Doc have a wonderful friend in this episode’s guest: General Reginald Centracchio. Beyond the fantastic contributions through his military career, he has also contributed to the State of Rhode Island through his trumpet playing and booking and organization of many music opportunities. Now retired from the military, Reggie is the Chair of the 250th Celebration for the the State of Rhode Island as well as his hometown of Scituate, RI. His countless contributions throughout the small, but complex and diverse state are unprecedented. His presence in front of a microphone as well as while leading musical and community events has always been exceptional. We had a great time sharing stories and memories as always with a guy we cherish to call a friend. We hope you enjoy the ride!

S3E5 An Earful of Banter with Dr. Rachel Smith

Nothing has been more interesting to us than exploring the perspective of a professional audiologist. We were very lucky to connect with a former elementary school and junior high band student of Dave’s, Dr. Rachel Smith. She was able to offer very practical recommendations for how to care for our ears, especially as performing musicians. In addition, she offered news of breakthroughs in developments in hearing aid technology that should be very helpful to musicians.

Dr. Rachel Smith completed clinical residency at a large ENT practice in Rhode Island and remained at the practice for almost 9 years following graduation. While there, she performed adult and pediatric diagnostic testing including hearing tests and vestibular and electro-physiological diagnostic assessments. She specialized in hearing aid evaluations and dispensing, as well as adult cochlear implants. As the Audiology Clinic Director at URI, Dr. Smith currently provides hearing testing and hearing aid services to the local community while giving undergraduate students the opportunity to learn in an active clinical setting.

Contact through URI audiology Department: rachelsmith@uri.edu Office Location: Independence Square. Academic inquiries: 401.874.2735 Clinic Inquiries: 401.874.5969

As always, please contact Doc and Dave via: info@TownBandBanter.com Comments are always welcomed and replied to ASAP…