~ Greenport Band -[ & }- Director Colin Van Tuyl...

BY DANNY McCARTHY

Nicole Smith's 09.07.2019 The Suffolk Times article is titled Colin Van Tuyl recognized for leading Greenport Band for 25 years ~ was a big help. I am "write-here" w/ my own take, okay? THANKSALATEA.

Greenport Band's long-standing-tradition in Mitchell Park in Greenport includes letting concertgoers place donations "in a barrel during {a} song..." One night of a Greenport Band Concert, COLIN VAN TUYL was about to present the second half. INSTEAD... COLIN VAN TUYL was beginning to be talked about by "{f}ellow band member {ANN VAN CLEEF}"

Fellow band member Ann Van Cleef, who has been a member of the band since 1996, grabbed the microphone and began to speak about COLIN VAN TUYL. A Larry Sutter was mentioned who "was looking through some old programs "last weekend {realizing} that this year marks your 25th year as the conductor of the Greenport Band,” she began.

ANN VAN CLEEF credited COLIN VAN TUYL's "kindness, organizational skills and sense of humor for elevating the band to the next level during his time in charge."

The Suffolk Times -AND- CongegatiBon Tifereth Israel -BOTH- named COLIN VAN TUYL MAN OF THE YEAR in 2002. ANN VAN CLEEF concluded: “But, Colin, for the past 25 years{,} you have been our Man of the Year each and every year.”

COLIN VAN TUYL did join the GREENPORT BAND in 1964 ~ w/ his father and
brother who also played in the GREENPORT BAND. He took over the role of conductor in 1993 after FRANK CORWIN retired. "Since then Mr. Van Tuyl has purchased new songs for the band, set up for every concert and assembled folders each week with that night’s songs."

Since 1946, summer concerts were played; the event has been held in Mitchell Park in recent years. "Ages of current band members range from middle school to 92 years old. The band never rehearses before performances and people can participate as little or as frequently as they please."

According to COLIN VAN TUYL: a lot of the GREENPORT BAND musicians are professional and that impresses him a lot; i.e. teachers -PLUS- performers — who travel great distances {to} do the Friday night concerts. “It make{s} the effort to come out. It’s certainly {fun} to play the music and know that most of them can play whatever I pick to play.”

"Longtime band members say his efforts have not gone unnoticed." Member ANN MENDOCHA said: “Colin is raising the level of the band.” “He does an excellent job. He takes it seriously, which is why people take it seriously.” HAROLD NELSON is a Clarinet player who has been in the band for 63 years. HAROLD NELSON said: COLIN VAN TUYL "works the hardest and is a 'pretty terrific guy.'”

A signed-card by the band members was given to COLIN VAN TUYL -PLUS- "gift cards for Amazon and Elbow East to commemorate the milestone." Band member DAN CREEDON also handed out buttons to other band members celebrating COLIN VAN TUYL'S anniversary.

“It was a complete surprise,” he said. “I had no idea they were going to do that … I was just ready to start the second half of the concert and Ann took me by surprise. The card that the band all signed and the gift cards, it was beyond belief. It was very generous.”

"Photo caption: Colin Van Tuyl receives a standing ovation at
Friday’s Greenport Band concert, during which he was honored for 25
years as the group’s conductor. (Nicole Smith photo)"