Band News:

More news coming soon!



Band Roster:

Chairman Larry Mahieu OBOE BASSOON TRUMPET
Director Larry Huntington William Grasty Barbara Engler Ray Brennan
Treasurer Oscar Vercruysse James Doan
Secretary Antoon Huyghe FLUTE/PICCOLO ALTO SAXOPHONE George Forbes
Marshal Albert DeBacker Dan Conlin Paul Alef Antoon Huyghe
Sally Crawford John Lamerato Larry Mahieu
Committee: Bob Rourke Sandy Gruckau David Ferdinande Steve Moore
John Jonassen Joey Doan Joe Ivers Oscar Vercruysse
Paul Jonassen Peggy Huntington Norm Waltz
    BARITONE SAXOPHONE
  CLARINET Gregory Smith DRUMS/PERCUSSION
Frank McGee Paul Jonassen
Eric Neubauer TENOR SAXOPHONE Wanda Mitchell
Laura Neubauer Roger Loridon Michael Rehner
Mary Ann Nowak   Dave Sandora
Bob Rourke TUBA
Janet Thompson Danny Alef TROMBONE
Albert VanDenBergh, Jr. Chris Migliore Edward Drazga
Joe Maltese John Jonassen Jay Ice
Ken Reszczyk Scott Mitchell Henry Golumba
  Rich Perry
ALTO CLARINET EUPHONIUM James Setlock
Gail Winchester Edward MacDowell David Yodhes
  George McKenzie
FRENCH HORN  
Mike Kardasz  
      August Sedik        
      Stuart Smith        
               


Band History:

The BAA Band was organized in November, 1931 under the sponsorship of the “Belgian American Business Men’s Association” and is one of the longest running community Bands in North America. The first concert was performed in January, 1932 under the direction of Mr. Ivo Vandenheede. The Spring Festival has become a tradition for our band.

Through the years the BAA Band has been a part of all major functions of the Belgian – American community, including the 6 day Bicycle races that used to be held at Cobo Arena in Detroit. We continue to promote “The love of music and arts in general among the Belgian – American community”. In 1936 Mr. Hipoliet Six succeeded Mr. Vandenheede, until 1953, at which time Mr. Gustaaf Vercruysse assumed the leadership, until his retirement in 1973. Mr. Joseph Edelmayer followed him until 1991. Mr. Umberto Di Lodovico then assumed the leadership of the band until his passing in November, 2003. Conductor Mr. Chris Migliore, a band member for 15 years, directed the band with great success from November 2003, until January 2009.

Today, director Mr. Larry Huntington is working hard to provide excellent and enjoyable performances. The BAA Band is preparing for a Christmas Concert in December 2009 at St. Gertrude, and a 2010 Spring Concert at The Assumption Cultural Center, both located in St. Clair Shores, MI.

Larry Mahieu
Band Chairman