About Us
The Cary Town Band has a rich and enduring history intertwined with Cary itself. Formed in fall 1987 by Cary Mayor Harold Ritter and Dr. James R. Hammerle, who directed it for 21 years, the band aimed to offer a genuine “Town Band Experience.” With initial funding from the Cary Town Council, Dr. Hammerle recruited sixteen members and secured instruments and music to start performances at community events.
Today, the band boasts over fifty volunteer musicians, mostly professionals in other fields. Dr. Hammerle envisioned recreating a 19th Century Town Band ambiance, complete with band coats and music from that era, aiming to foster community spirit through music. In 2009, Dr. Hammerle was honored as “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year” by Cary.
After Dr. Hammerle’s retirement, Director Stuart Holoman assumed leadership of the band. Stuart was dedicated to preserving the original vision for the Cary Town Band and the cultural role the band played in the community. In 2014, the band was recognized as Cary’s Partner Organization of the Year. Connie Varner took over as director in October 2022 upon Holoman’s retirement.
Since its inception, the Cary Town Band has enriched Cary and neighboring communities’ cultural life through performances at events such as Lazy Daze, Memorial Day, July 4th, and annual concerts at venues like Cary Arts Center and Koka Booth Amphitheatre. The band continues to offer free concerts, featuring both modern and traditional music, including the beloved Silly Prize Concerts.
We hope you will join us at an upcoming concert and experience the spirit of Cary through music.
Musicians
Director
Connie Varner (’11)
Director
Connie Varner (’11)
Flute / Piccolo
Liz Holoman (’90)
Greg Buol (’05)
Barbara Kirkpatrick (’15)
Erin Ziegler (’23)
Michelle Lewis (’23)
Oboe
Natalie Fulwider (’21)
Bassoon
David Brook (’05)
Kim Chantala (’19)
Alto Saxophone
Marilyn Wolf (’21)
Tenor Saxophone
Doug Kelly (’12)
Baritone Saxophone
Edward Hall (’16)
Percussion
Cindy Sinkez (’10)
Mark Hill (’17)
Simon Capell (’23)
Trumpet
Chuck Moore (’04)
Meryl Moore (’07)
Milton Carawan (’09)
Steve Chambers (’15)
AJ Kochanowski (’15)
Frank Fulton (’17)
Jay Shealy (’17)
Dan Carlson (’18)
Jeff Greenwood (’21)
Dave Varnas (’23)
French Horn
Casey Parshall (‘22)
Jessica Bradley (‘22)
Jess Albert (‘22)
Anita Hynus (’23)
Ryan Saathoff (’24)
Trombone
Yoshi Nakamura (’98)
Lisa Kooker (’22)
Tom Palmatier (’22)
Jay Brock (’24)
Euphonium
Jack Marinello (’18)
Mac Gilbert (’22)
Buddy West (’23) *
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Wendy Real (’17)
Bb Clarinet
Nancy Colegrove (’87) *
Bennie Fussell (’87) *
Joan Fleming (’10)
Cindy Hiltenbrand (’15)
Wendy Real (’17)
Gail Caverly (’18)
Kristine Clements (’19)
Jeneal Teander (’20) *
Jessica Bousquet (’21)
Tom Blodgett (’21)
Mike Fussell (’23)
Eb Alto Clarinet
Jane Caldwell (’23)
Bb Bass Clarinet
Rosemary Kelly (’21)
Contrabass Clarinet
Tom Amoreno (’23)
Tuba
Bill White (’17)
Jeff Davis (’21)
Mark Hunzaker (’23)
Associate Members
Clark Colegrove (’97)
Gordon Sinkez (’12)
Pat Walker (’21)
Marlene White (’22)
Karlea White (’23)
Jesse Kooker (’23)
Associate Members
Clark Colegrove (’97)
Gordon Sinkez (’12)
Pat Walker (’21)
Marlene White (’22)
Karlea White (’23)
Jesse Kooker (’23)
* = Denotes Charter Member
Board of Directors
President
Vice-President
Director
Secretary
Treasurer
Marketing Chair
At-Large
Cindy Sinkez
Doug Kelly
Connie Varner
Nancy Colegrove
Barbara Kirkpatrick
Jeff Greenwood
Cindy Hiltenbrand
President
Cindy Sinkez
Vice-President
Doug Kelly
Director
Connie Varner
Secretary
Nancy Colegrove
Treasurer
Barbara Kirkpatrick
At-Large
Cindy Hiltenbrand
Marketing Chair
Jeff Greenwood
