Band Members

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        Tom Benner - Saxophone, Clarinet

Tom came in 2020 from Ohio to the Villages.  He has  an impressive professional music career including playing 21 years with the US Air Force band program. He spent time “on the road” with the Jan Garber and Sammy Kaye orchestras. Tom played for years with polka and Dixieland dance groups. He’s played in other German bands and owns his own lederhosen!

              Jack Cherry - Trombone

Jack was born and raised in Illinois.  He and his wife moved in 2010 to the Village of Largo.  He first was introduced to the trombone in the fourth grade.  In high school he performed well enough that he made the Illinois All-State Orchestra.  During college he was a member of the Air Force ROTC band.  He put the horn on the shelf for a number of years before starting back in 1995 playing with the Bay City, MI municipal band.  Jack now belongs to four different bands in the Villages.

       Judi Dalphond - Singer/Percussion 

  Judi’s hometown is Beverly, Massachusetts. "Singing in Rock 'n Roll bands was a blast in the '60s!"  She moved to the Villages in 2015 and joined The Villages Twirlers and Drum Corps. Also, she sang with the Disney's Candlelight Processional for six-years. She recently joined the German Band playing tambourine, cymbals, and even the anvil!  “Somehow I got roped into singing—I love supporting the band—It's so much fun!”

                       Susan McMarlin

            Administrator - Euphonium

Susan moved from Texas in 2016 to the Village of Mission Hills.  She started playing the baritone prior to high school.  She took a break from playing the euphonium because of a military career and raising a family.  Over the  past 25 years, she has performed with bands and ensembles around the country.  Currently she plays with five Village bands and tutors band “kids” in the local high schools.

           Karin Wiliams-Clarinet

Karin and her husband moved to the Villages a number of years ago.  Karin enjoys playing the clarinet--so much that she plays with seven bands in the Villages.  Karin enjoys playing German music..she's the one on the front row wearing a German dirndl and ready to spring into action to lead the audiences in polka lines or even demonstrating the Chicken Dance!

             Ed  Schaeffer - Percussion

Ed and his wife, Jeannie, moved from Niles, Illinois to the Villages in October 2021.  He plays drums and is a vocalist.  He has enjoyed performing with German groups over the past fifty years.  Ed says he loves living in the Villages and was anxious to join the Villages German Band. His motto is the following: "music equals life", and he plans to enjoy both for many years.

             David Dobbs - Trombone

Dave and his wife have lived in the Villages for a number of years.  They moved here from Tennessee.  Dave has played trombone with a number of bands in the Villages including the New Horizons Band and the Hometown Band.  He has performed with the German Band over the past few years.

     Ed Stromski - Trombone and Director

Ed and Linda moved from Merrimack, NH to the Village of Springdale in 2017.  Ed began playing the trombone during the 10th grade. Three years later he was a music major at Ithaca College. After graduation, he joined the USAF Band, played  with the Air National Guard Band, the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra and with numerous show pit orchestras and big bands.  He is a retired airline pilot.   In addition to serving as director of the band, he plays with five Villages bands.

               Bob Tomasi - Tenor Horn 

 Bob and Peg came to The Villages from Pewaukee, Wisconsin to the Villages in 2000. They live in the Village of Rio Grande. He is among a few of the original bandsmen playing with the German band. He serves as one of the band’s officers. In addition, Bob stays busy golfing and also playing the euphonium with a number of other bands in the Villages and the regional area.  

                Don Walker - Trumpet 

Don is an original member and officer of the Villages German band—he has performed with the group for over ten years!  He also loves polka dancing!  He and his wife have resided since 2006 in the Village of Sable Chase. They alternate living between the Villages and Madison, Wisconsin. During the summer while up north, he plays with the period Civil War Marching Band. 

                Jim Wicks - Accordion

In October 2020, Jimmy and Alison came from Hicksville, Long Island to the Villages. He plays the accordion, and she plays the saxophone. They played together in a Polish Polka band for 30 years. Jim is a retired CPA and Tax Attorney. He said he had to do something to earn a living when not playing the accordion! His other activities include practicing Yoga, learning piano and walking the dog. 

                Dave Kemp-Trombone

Dave and Carol Kemp came to the Villages by way of Pennsylvania!  Dave has played with the German Band for several years and also plays with several other bands in the Villages--including New Horizons.  

   Dan Holbert--Clarinet and Saxophone

Dan and his wife, Kate, are snowbirds and since 2016, have spent every winter in the Villages--the summers are spent in Michigan with 5 grandchildren.  After high school Dan put his instruments on the shelf.  In 1995 he took down the sax and played with a swing band.  The band had a professional arranger and recorded 3 CDs.  In the Villages, Dan plays clarinet and sax with 7 bands.  In Michigan he plays with two community bands and a swing band.