Band Members

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   Tom Benner - Director--Clarinet

Tom is the director of the German Band. He came to the Villages in 2020 from Ohio.  He has  an impressive professional music career including 21 years with the US Air Force band. Afterwards, he spent time “on the road” with the Jan Garber and Sammy Kaye orchestras. Tom played for years with Dixieland groups throughout the country. Now that he lives in the Villages he plays with many other bands especially jazz ensembles. Each year he returns to Ohio to play Oktoberfest "gigs".  Although we haven't seen it here, we understand he wears lederhosen when he plays with Ohio German Bands! 

              Jack Cherry - Trombone

Jack was born and raised in Illinois.  He and his wife moved in 2010 to the Village of Largo.  Jack is a retired physician who is enjoying retirement as a musician.  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 belonged to an 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 -       Vocalist, Percussionist  

Judi’s hometown is Beverly, Massachusetts. She says  "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 adds the sounds of the 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 after the 8th grade and throughout high school.  She took a break from her music because of a military career and raising a family. Over the  past 25 years or so, she has performed with bands and ensembles around the country. Currently she plays with four Village bands including a church orchestra.

        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 six 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!

    Doug Dooley-Flugelhorn        

  Doug plays flugelhorn with the band but plays the sax with several other bands.  He spent a career in the US Army--including assignments in Germany where he learned to love the music and German culture.  He also has his own garage band in which they enjoy playing drive-way concert music.        

   Dave Dobbs - Trombone

Dave and his wife are from Tennessee. During college at the University, he played with their band. He has lived in the Villages for a number of years.  He's play either the baritone or trombone in Villages bands throughout that time.  The German Band is fortunate in that he has also been with them for several years.        

     Ed Stromski - Trombone 

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.   

             Jim Wicks-Accordion

Jim and his wife moved to the Villages a number of years ago. He has been with the German Band for quite a few years and greatly adds by playing the accordion and singing.  He and his wife often entertain audiences while singing and playing music for parties, nursing homes, and at the Yalaha Bakery.  He practiced law in his previous career. 

            Dan Mitchell  - Tuba

Dan recently moved to the Villages from Western North Carolina.  He adds the "OOM" for the middle voices to follow with the "PAH PAH".  Dan is a retired engineer who has kept up playing tuba with various community groups, including The Villages Concert Band. You can also see him on the disc golf courses and softball fields.

                Dave Kemp-Trombone

Dave and Carol Kemp came to the Villages by way of Pennsylvania!  He was in the ROTC Band while at Clemson. He also play with community bands in Pennsylvania. We're pleased he has played trombone with the German Band for several years and also shares his music talents with other bands in the Villages--including New Horizons.