Meet The Band
Larry Irwin – Alto Sax
UNC-Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy (1972)
Larry is an Elkin native. Began his musical education at Elkin HS (EHS). Played in the EHS Stage Band which was a precursor to the EBB. While at UNC, he was an avid participant in the UNC marching band as well as the coveted UNC Pep Band. He was court-side for UNC basketball games and was able to travel to New York and Los Angeles with the pep band. Larry is particularly fond of his many years playing with The Mixed Emotions, a local beach music group. They played together for more than a decade and recorded two CDs. Larry is one of the founding members of the EBB & has been the de facto leader of the group for many years.
Larry is a local pharmacist and owns The Elk Pharmacy, a fixture of downtown Elkin for more than fifty years. He is legendary for the extra effort that he invests in taking care of his clients. He and his wife Rita have one daughter.
Bill Hardin – Tenor Sax, Clarinet & Flute
BA Music Education - University of South Carolina (1974)
UNC-Greensboro - Studied with James Pritchard, Constance Grambling Lane, James Stewart & George Naff.
Bill taught instrumental music in Columbia, SC and in Spencer, NC for seven years. He has performed with the Piedmont Wind Symphony. Bill enjoys playing big band music and studying jazz music theory. He particularly enjoys playing worship music at his church on both wind instruments and on guitar. He is the band leader of “The Kings of Swing” in Kernersville, NC. He lives in Clemmons, NC.
Colin Whiteley – Tenor Sax
BA Music Education - Western Carolina University (2021)
Colin is the band director at China Grove Middle School in China Grove, NC. He grew up in the Concord area. He is also an accomplished vocalist and we look forward to showcasing his skills in front of the big band someday soon. He brings a tremendous energy to his performing. His youthful appearance belies the intensity of his playing. We were all just happy to discover that he was old enough to buy beer!
Michael Beres – Baritone Sax, Clarinet
BA Anthropology – UNC-Chapel Hill (1984)
BS Nursing – UNC-Chapel Hill (1994)
MS Nursing – Duke University (1996)
Musical education courtesy of the New Hanover County public schools in Wilmington, NC 1972-1980, studied under Jack Stamp at Hoggard HS. He performs with the Elkin Big Band, Society Swing Band in Winston-Salem, Yadkin Valley Community Band & The Araniska Winds, a classical chamber music quintet.
Michael has been a nurse practitioner for many years and works with Hugh Chatham Orthopedics in Elkin. His wife Mary-Emma is a family physician with Hugh Chatham Family Medicine. They have three children.
Jordan Martin – Trumpet
BA Music Education - Appalachian State University (2012)
Has performed with many ensembles including the ASU Marching Mountaineers, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble II, Jazz Ensemble I, Brass Choir, and Brass Quintet. Outside of ASU, he has performed with the Lenoir Rhyne University Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and Ceremony Band, the Hickory Jazz Orchestra, Yadkin Valley Brass Ensemble, Yadkin Valley Community Band, and the Elkin Big Band.
Jordan is the Director of Bands at Bunker Hill High School in Hickory, NC. He has served as a brass clinician for the Summer Music Camp hosted at Lenoir Rhyne University. He also was a private lesson instructor for the Hickory Music Factory and continues to teach private lessons independently.
Mike Weddington – Trumpet
BA Music - Berea College (2002)
Juris Doctorate – Appalachian School of Law (2006)
Masters in School Administration - Western Carolina University (2015)
Mike began his music education in the public schools and has been playing for 30 years. He is the Principal at Moravian Falls Middle School. His wife, Jennifer, is a music educator. They have two children. His other hobbies are camping and woodturning. He also has more than a passing interest in collecting fine bourbons. Mike and Jennifer are the founders of the Yadkin Valley Community Band.
“My goal, while playing the trumpet, is to sound, play and entertain like Louis Armstrong. If I accomplish any of the three, I'll be a lucky man.”
Tony Ferguson – Trumpet
BS - Marketing Ball State University Muncie, IN (1986 )
1998 - Founded TF Technical Sales, Inc. A Manufacturer’s Rep Firm selling Engineered Rubber and Plastic Components.
Tony grew up in Indiana and played the trumpet from 4th Grade through high school. While in HS Tony played in all the bands; ie, Concert, Marching, Jazz, Pep and Pit Orchestra.
After college, Tony spent 10 years in Detroit. He and his wife, Valerie, moved south in 1996 and raised 4 children in Statesville.
Tony is a “comeback player”. Sadly, Tony put down his horn after high school graduation and didn’t play for 36 years. In 2019, Tony finally started to miss playing and picked up his horn again. “I have my parents to thank for enforcing a strict practice regiment and paying for all of those weekly lessons through high school that I’ve been able to pick it back up again”
The Elkin Big Band is happy that Tony is back and able to sit in with us when needed.
Frances Weavil – Trumpet
BA Music Education - Campbell University (1983)
Frances began playing trumpet in the 7th grade in the Elkin Schools. She is one of the early members of the EBB and has played with the band since the mid-1980s. She has also played with the Wilkes Community College Jazz Band and is a current member of the Yadkin Valley Community Band.
She is a substitute teacher for the Elkin City Schools. Her husband, Mike, works for Corning. They have one son.
Dave Hoffman – Trombone
BA Music Performance Manhattan School of Music (1968)
Dave began his trombone studies in the Iowa public schools. He was 1st chair in the Iowa Allstate Band in 1961,1962 &1963. He freelanced in NYC from 1966-1972. Played with the Larry Elgart Band, Jimmy Dorsey Band, Stuttgart (Germany) Ballet American Tour Orchestra, extra with NY Philharmonic, various Latin bands, and everything in between. He studied trombone with Ed Herman, principal trombone of the NY Philharmonic.
He moved to rural south west Virginia in 1973. Dave founded and directed the Highland Camerata, a community chorus that passed their 40th anniversary several years ago. His wife, Sherri, is a professional pianist. They have one son.
Nick Freitag – Trombone
BS Business Administration - Gardner-Webb University (1999)
Started playing in 1963 in the midst of a family with a rich musical tradition. His grandfather was a Professor of Trombone at The Peabody Conservatory and two uncles were professional musicians. In addition to playing with the Elkin Big Band from 1992-99, he has played with the Greensboro Big Band, the Rockingham County Community Band, and the Danville Symphony Orchestra. Currently plays with both the Salem Band and the Salem Swing Band in Winston-Salem, NC, as well as with The Grace Notes, a five-piece wind ensemble from Grace Moravian Church in Mount Airy.
He is a retired Vice President of Distribution for Gildan Activewear and Cross Creek Apparel/Russell Corporation after working for 49 years in the apparel industry.
Nick makes his home in Mt. Airy, NC with his wife Cindy. They met in their senior year of high school in the marching band. She is a retired Child Care Director/Teacher. They have three children and three grandchildren.
Clarice gallagher – Trombone
BA Music & Strategic Communications High Point University (2019)
Clarice grew up in Northeast Ohio and came to North Carolina in 2015 to study Trombone Performance and Strategic Communications at High Point University. She studied with Dr. Brian Meixner and participated in several instrumental and vocal ensembles across genres. After graduating in 2019, Clarice performed regularly with ensembles in the Triad area, including with the Piedmont Triad Jazz Ensemble (prior to the pandemic), the High Point University Community Orchestra, and other smaller groups. Clarice works full time a staff librarian at Salem College. She lives in Winston-Salem with her husband Sean and their Pekingese mix, Charlotte. She is so thrilled about the opportunity to make music with this great ensemble and loves the sense of community, musicality, and pride that each member brings to the bandstand here with the EBB.
Katie Keshet – Bass Trombone
BA Music Performance – Truman State University (2009)
BS Linguistics - Truman State University (2011)
Masters in Music Performance & Literature – Eastman School of Music (2010)
Doctorate of Musical Arts – UNC-Greensboro (2014)
*Dissertation: Connections between Linguistic and Musical Sound Systems of British and American Trombonists
Katie began her musical career in the 6th grade in Geneseo, IL. Things progressed from there and, in terms of musical pedigree, she is the Jedi Master of the EBB. Bass trombone is a unique instrument. Enthusiasts often describe the sound that can emanate from a well-played bass trombone as akin to something that could do physical damage at a distance. The horn attracts distinct personalities. Katie is an active roller derby competitor. Her physical appearance belies her intensity for the sport which is evidenced by her frequent use of crutches.
Katie and her wife Sam make their home in Greensboro. Sam is in the MFA program at UNC-G. Katie is the co-owner of B&F Repairs, a musical instrument repair service - Like them on FB at www.facebook.com/bandfrepairs.
"In my opinion, the trombone is the true head of the family of wind instruments, which I have named The Epic One."
Josh Casstevens – Guitar
Josh is an Elkin native and has been playing and teaching music professionally for over twenty years. He has performed thousands of shows as guitarist for acclaimed bands such as Mood Cultivation Project, Porch Dog Revival, Thacker Dairy Road, The Reeves House Band, and more. Josh brings a remarkable combination of musical knowledge and real world experience. Additionally, he has the rare gift of being a massively talented guitar player who can actually read music.
Josh is married to his wife Dawn, they have one daughter. They make their home in the metropolis of Boonville, NC.
Pat Lawrence – Upright Bass
BA Music - Vandercook College of Music (1993)
Pat grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. Attended music school in Chicago where he spent many years in the local jazz, classical, and improvised music communities before moving to the South. Pat is the producer of recordings for Martha Bassett and also serves as producer and director for The Martha Bassett Show presented at The Reeves Theater in Elkin, NC. He makes his home in Winston-Salem.
Eric Sutphin – Drums
Eric’s love and passion for music began at a very early age. At age 5, Eric was enrolled in a tap dance class. Throughout his adolescent years, Eric continued to study all forms of dance and music. He began taking formal music classes in middle school and throughout high school. He was fortunate enough to have participated as 1st and 2nd chair percussionist for several All-County and All-State bands. In addition, Eric participated in Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Marching Band. After high school, his talent for dancing took him to Celebrity Cruise Lines where during a twenty year career he was able to perform all over the world. After just one audition, Eric landed his first gig performing for Celebrity Cruise Lines. For the next 20 years he was able to share his dance talents with audiences all over the world. During that same time, his musical talents were also noticed by the producers and other musicians. For nine years, he was the guitar player and back-up drummer for the Alabama Theater's One Show. He now spends his free time performing with local bands, working with local high school drum lines, and playing the drum kit for community musicals. Eric is a life-long student of music and takes the pursuit of growing his craft very seriously.
Joel Everett - piano
Associate of Arts - Dupage College
BA Music - Columbia College
Joel Everett is an Emmy Award-winning composer who enjoys getting to the heart of the story with the gift of music. Music has the unique ability to touch people's hearts and he is blessed to be part of that. In addition to his writing and arranging, Joel can be found as a freelance keyboardist and percussionist. He is the assistant conductor of the Salem Community Orchestra and serves as the music director of Fair View United Methodist Church. In 2014, he was awarded an Emmy for his work on a local television documentary celebrating the centennial of Winston-Salem.
Regular Subs
The following talented musicians often fill in for EBB members when conflicts in scheduling arise.
Katherine Gambill – saxophone
BA Music - Appalachian State University (1973)
She describes it this way...
"I think there may have been performance degrees in piano, voice, maybe some wind instruments, but it was primarily focused on music education. Saxophone had never been allowed as an instrumental major until 1969 when I was a freshman. I know a guy just two years ahead of me who had to major in bassoon because sax was not allowed when he started. I may have been the first performance major on any instrument at ASU, I really can't remember."
Katherine was an Educational Rep for Duncan Music for many years. It is rumored that she may have been the first woman in her job position in the history of the business according to Mr. Duncan.
Dave Beitzel – Trombone
BA Music - University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2016)
Dave started playing trombone in middle school and chose trombone largely due to his father; call it a legacy. In 2011 he played a solo with the Piedmont Wind Symphony and knew from that moment that music was the correct choice. From 2012--2016 Dave attended college at UNCG pursuing a BM in Music Performance with a focus in Trombone. During his time at UNCG he played in every ensemble the University had to offer. Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, both Jazz Ensembles, even a student led Brass Quintet. During his time in these ensembles he also won Principal playing positions with both the Durham Symphony Orchestra and Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.
After returning to school from 2017-2019 to get his teaching certificate in Music Education, Dave can now be found teaching wonderful classrooms of eager music students! He is currently the band director/ general music teacher at Highland Middle School in Sanford, NC.
Emeritus
The following talented musicians have since retired from full time playing with the band but still make regular appearances and are esteemed by our band with the upmost love, respect, and appreciation.
Ray Fencl – Alto Sax
BA University of Illinois (1964)
MD University of Illinois (1968)
Surgical Residencies at Rush University & the University of Minnesota (1969-1975).
Began his musical education on accordion in the 50s, played in high school as well as at the University of Illinois in the ROTC Band. He has many years of experience playing and singing with a variety of musical groups. He has been active in church choirs, pit orchestras as well as The Foothills Theater. He has been with the EBB since 1987.
A retired urologist after 31 years of private practice, he is married to his wife Pamela. Ray & Pamela are avid tennis players & were instrumental in the early development & success of the EHS tennis team. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
Don Galyean – Trumpet
BS Music Education - Western Carolina University (1987)
He has performed with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, the Brevard Chamber Orchestra, Piedmont Airlines/USAir Jazz Orchestra, the Winston-Salem Symphony, the North Carolina Baptist Choir and Orchestra, a European tour with the Greensboro Philharmonia. He currently performs with the Elkin Big Band and Society Swing Band (Winston-Salem) and various freelance engagements in the Piedmont-Triad area. Donald has also performed with the late Dinah Shore, renowned jazz trumpeter Bobby Shew, Ryan Anthony and Ed Shaughnessy, the former drummer for NBC’s Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
He works for Wells-Fargo. He has been married to his wife Vicki. They have one son and one granddaughter. They make their home in Clemmons, NC.
Brian Rector – Piano
BA Music Education – Appalachian State University
Brian has been an Elkin resident for over 25 years, attending both Elkin Elementary School and Elkin High School before venturing off to App State to pursue his degree in Music Education. Brian’s love for music, specifically the piano, started at a young age and once his parents put him in piano lessons, the rest is history. He wears many hats, currently serving as the Music Director at Salem Fork Christian Church, a Program Coordinator at Child Evangelism Fellowship, and a private piano teacher to local kids. Brian is also an avid runner and hiker and can be seen running around Elkin and hiking at Stone Mountain with his wife Justine.
Randy Tulbert – Trombone
BA American History - UNC-Chapel Hill (1978)
Randy has played with numerous groups over the last several years. His musical education began in the Elkin City Schools. He played in the UNC marching, concert, jazz and pep bands. He also played with the Wilkes Community College jazz and symphonic bands. He has performed in over fifty theater productions. Played with The Mixed Emotions along with Larry Irwin. He is a founding member of the EBB. Randy also plays bagpipes but we try not to publicize that skill.
Randy recently retired as a Marketing Manager at Lowe’s Companies. His wife is Tommie Ann Tulbert. She is a fiddle player and her six-piece Celtic band is Fiddle Dee Dee. They have a daughter and two grandchildren.
His “best story” is playing trombone in the Elkin Big Band beside Leo Arnaud, composer of “Bugler’s Dream” aka the Olympic Anthem/Fanfare.
Contact us.
It all begins with an idea, perhaps you are planning a wedding, a special event, a charitable fundraiser, or a holiday party. You want to take it to the next level. The Elkin Big Band can provide a unique musical experience to make your occasion not only exceptional but also an evening that your guests will never forget.