Unapologetically Human: |
||
"From Stillness to Spectacle" |
||
|
|
||
| The Church of the Epiphany | ||
|
|
||
| DC's Different Drummers Symphonic Band | ||
| Anthony Conto Oakley, Artistic Director | ||
| November 8, 2025 |
Follow Us:
President's Message
Hey Pals,
Thank you for joining us for this evening’s performance of the DC’s Different Drummers Symphonic Band, under the baton of Anthony Conto Oakley. I am so delighted to be a part of this organization that has for over 45 years been a place for LGBTQ+ and ally musicians and performers to come together for fellowship, artistry, community, and visibility.
The Symphonic Band’s Fall 2025 is themed “Unapologetically Human – From Stillness to Spectacle.” What a strong message and program to remind us all who we are and who we will always be, especially in the face of constant political, social, and cultural uncertainty. Our rainbow community has a way of coming together and lifting each other up, and we certainly won’t stop now.
Tonight, we will perform works both familiar and new to you, our audience. From the classical masterpiece Carmina Burana to the thrillifying and rejoicifyingly fun Selections from Wicked, and everything in between, this program has something for everyone.
Thank you again for supporting DC’s Different Drummers. As you leave tonight’s concert, remember no matter what comes next, “you've always had the power, my dears, you just had to learn it for yourself.” If you are interested in connecting with DCDD as a performer, volunteer, donor, or business partner, please do not hesitate to reach out. I hope to hear from you soon!
With My Sincere Gratitution,
Tim
Concert Program
|
Fanfare Esprit |
Carol Britten Chambers |
|
Nothing Gold Can Stay |
Steven Bryant |
|
Chasing Sunlight |
Cait Nishimura |
|
unBroken |
Randall Standridge |
|
On the Mall |
Edwin Franko Goldman |
| INTERMISSION | |
|
Carmina Burana |
Carl Orff |
|
I. Fortuna Imperatix Mundi |
|
|
Selections from Wicked |
Stephen Schwartz |
Musicians
DC’s Different Drummers thanks the musicians below for their participation. Without their donations of their time, skill, and passion, this concert would not be possible.
| PICCOLO Kevin Gilbert * Mathew Harris Tommy Nelson Charlotte Volpe FLUTE Peter Botjer Liz Cameron David Cho Kate Cook Carrie Field Kevin Gilbert * Karsten Halusa Mathew Harris Amanda Hermans Julie Hochsztein Katie Kearney Olivia Kingsbury Tommy Nelson Ashton Oldfield Isabella Przybylo Claire Rogers Beth Root Anton Spencer Sid Su Charlotte Volpe Kelly Williams OBOE Kristina Drye Natalie Harshman Louis Reichwein * BASSOON Keith Glaeske Tim Schmeling Karley Thurston Bb CLARINET Elena Akers Virginia Burger William Cho Alicia Cooperman Brett Fitzgerald Annaliese Gould Michelle Graff Dorian Hawkins * Debbie Henry Todd Hill Teayeon Kim Janet Larsen Hannah Lee Beatrice McDermott Neeha Mian Sarah Olscamp Martin Phillips Kirby Pitchford Tamara Radcliffe Javier Rodríguez Benítez Sarah Schauber Matthew Spata Katie Statema Bill Stroud Greg Tarker Benjamin Telerski Zhong Thai Gina Viner |
BASS CLARINET |
TROMBONE Barry Ames Heather Buchanan Ross Chapman Lauren Drew Jimmy Edwards * Morgan Felix Mary Kelly Marty Noyd Annie Jensen Andrew Mathis Rick Stewart BASS TROMBONE Dan Calamari Libby Carlson Sasha LaPonsa David E. McBee EUPHONIUM Ryan Blake Chip Clapp Sam Dilley Kim Do Ben Dotson Marisa Katz * Alex Ostrander TUBA Jamie Davis Wayne Eldred Jim Graves Aras Troy Larry Wile * PERCUSSION Lucas Chen B De Zwaan John Ketterer * Max Lindsey Yuki Ng Matthew Pack * Aaron Park Michael Polk Courtney Priebe Mars Schwichtenberg Vianna Vo PIANO John Ketterer Yuki Ng |
* denotes Section Leader
Notes of Dedication
A dedication of unBroken to Anthony Casey.
- Sean Casey
For my parents, who have always supported my musical endeavors. Without their enthusiasm, I would not be the player I am today and I am eternally grateful for everything they've given me. They have lifted me high enough to defy gravity.
- Shelley Collins, dedicating Wicked
To my guiding beacons, I would be lost in the darkness without the light of your unconditional love, unwavering support, and friendship. Thank you Mike, Kai, Rai, Jenni, and everyone else for believing in me. I love and appreciate you all.
- Kimothy Do, dedicating unBroken
To Kelly,
Here's to 15 years of friendship, and hopefully many more.
"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
- Charlotte Volpe, dedicating Wicked
DCDD Symphonic Band Leadership
Anthony Conto Oakley
Symphonic Band Artistic Director
Anthony has been the Artistic Director of the DC's Different Drummers Symphonic Band since Fall 2014. He is a music educator, leader, and arts advocate. His primary background is in instrumental music, both band and orchestra, but he also has a background in choral music.
Anthony is the Executive Director of the Maryland Music Educators Association, the professional association for music educators in Maryland. Before his current position, he spent 21 years as a high school arts administrator and band and orchestra director.
He has earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Music in Music Education and Conducting, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has been accepted to and attended enrichment programs at The Julliard School, the New England Conservatory of Music, the University of Maryland, and most recently, earned a graduate certificate in Executive Leadership in Arts and Culture Strategy with the University of Pennsylvania and National Arts Strategies.
Active in the music community of the region and state, Anthony has served on boards and as an officer for several professional music associations, as well as having served as a chair for various committees, events, and honor ensembles. He can also be found as a guest conductor, adjudicator, clinician, and from time to time, a freelance trumpet player.
As a clinician, Anthony has presented at the Maryland Music Educators Association Conference, the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, the Iowa Bandmasters Association Virtual Conference, and the Pride Bands Alliance Conference.
Anthony is a native Washingtonian/Marylander. He was born and raised in Prince George's County, Maryland, where he currently lives today. He and his husband Kevin, along with their dog, Faye, enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, going for walks in their community, and supporting local restaurants and businesses.
Donors & Community Partners
|
COMMUNITY DONOR Shawna Abston Kendra Appleheimer K. B. Khorey Baker Benjamin Beaury Shamaria Bell Syl Bennett Abby Berman Ananda Bhatia Kevin Blais Christina Blomquist Shahaley Bornstein David Borrego Brandan Boxbaum Tatum Burnett Liz Cameron Cass Caveney Sharon & Kevin Chapman Kevin Chen Kate Cook Lila Cooper Landon Cox Christine D'Amato Davide De Battista Alex Domini Rachel Drye Kristina Drye Jacob Dwyer Ryan Ermey Morgan Felix Erica Frazier Chris Ford Jenna Goosen ^ Rose Hahn Carla Hardy Julia Harris William Havranek Caryn Hertz & Larry Marks Julie Hochsztein ^ Lexi Howard Madison Howard Anna Kegler Mark Khristopher Elliott Kozuch Sasha LaPonsa ^ Janet Larsen Bo Lenhardt Sarah Licht Riley Link Sarah Lord Olivia Luzquinos Jackie Madejski Keith Manning David Mathis Kathryn Meyer ^ Carri Nelsen Sirene Noir Michael Overton Matthew Pack ^ Michael Polk Dean Preston Tamara Quintana JD Rackey Megan Rattliff Caroline Reppert Melodia Rinaldi Ivan Robles Kristina Romines Andrew Runkle Eugenio Santillan Palmer Shepherd Claire Simon Charlotte Steinecke Rick Stewart Matthew Swanson Madelyn T. El Thomas Jessica Thompson Alicia Vallorani Gina Viner Charlotte Volpe Steven West Larry Wile ^ |
FRIEND OF DCDD Michelle Beddor Allen & Michele Boxbaum Lauren Burn Sean Casey Susan Drilling Robert Heim Taylor Hendriksma ^ Andreas Hopfer Chad Koratich Jeannine Krell Patrick O'Donnel ^ Philip Rosi Mitzie Rothman Timothy Schmeling ^ Gregory Tarker Kellie Wussow
DRUMMER’S CIRCLE Meredith Carpenter & Korey Rothman ^ Debra Falatko Francois Tur Harvey Zuckman
CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE Bruce Herr, Jr. Bruce Herr, Sr. & Ann Herr David McBee
FOUNDER'S CIRCLE Laurel Anderson
DCDD PARTNER Aditi Dussault Kyle Ruempler ^
^ denotes Board member
DC's Different Drummers has received partial funding via grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the DC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs. We thank them for their generosity and belief in our mission!
Thank you also to the following organizations and businesses for their support this past year, either through direct financial contributions (including on behalf of anonymous individuals) or for partnering on events with DCDD: American Endowment Foundation as you are. DC Benevity Combined Federal Campaign D.C. Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence DC Public Library System PayPal Giving Fund Shaw's Tavern The Ianthom Foundation (in honor of RJ Willougby) Trade DC United Way of South Hampton Roads
If you would like to make a contribution, please visit www.dcdd.org/donate. DCDD’s charity code with the Combined Federal Campaign is #93755. |
.jpg)
DCDD Staff
DCDD Board of Directors
Tim Schmeling
PRESIDENT
Taylor Hendriksma
VICE PRESIDENT
Patrick O'Donnel
SECRETARY
Kyle Ruempler
TREASURER
Jenna Goosen
Julie Hochsztein
Sasha LaPonsa
Matthew Pack
Larry Wile, Past-President
AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
Kathryn Meyer
Korey Rothman
COMMUNITY BOARD MEMBERS
Artistic Staff
Quentin Boanna
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DCDD MARCHING BAND
Salvatore Boenzi
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DCDD COLOR GUARD
Dawn Buckheit
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DCDD COLOR GUARD
Anthony Conto Oakley
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DCDD SYMPHONIC BAND
Travis Gettinger
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DCDD JAZZ BAND
Joseph Nicol
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, DCDD JAZZ BAND
Administrative Staff
Paul Martin
WEBMASTER
Rick Stewart
LIBRARIAN
Lucy Steyer
GRANTS MANAGER
An organization like DC’s Different Drummers requires the time, energy, and support of many names beyond those listed above. Our musicians and performers give countless hours not just preparing for concerts and shows, but also in service of DCDD’s everyday logistical needs. Thank you to the volunteers, both from within our ensembles and also from our broader community, who lead our committees, plan and execute events, manage equipment, usher at performances, and more!
Mission Statement
DC's Different Drummers is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally music and performing arts organization welcoming musicians and performers of ALL skill levels as it fosters pride, inclusivity, and engagement with the greater Washington, D.C. region through music and artistic performance.
ABOUT US
DCDD is an all-volunteer adult musical and performing arts organization that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community (and friends) of the D.C. metropolitan area. The membership ranges from college and university-trained musicians, to those who played in school and returned to their instruments later in life. Our main ensembles are the DCDD Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Color Guard; additionally, small ensembles are available for hire.
DC's Different Drummers is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions may be considered fully tax-deductible depending on your tax status. We are a participant in the Jon Sims Endowment Fund, founding members of the Pride Bands Alliance, proud members of Team DC, and Pride Partners of the Capital Pride Alliance.
If a man does not keep pace with his companions
Perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to to the music which he hears,
However measured or far away.
-- Henry David Thoreau
Members in Memoriam
Matthew Armstrong (baton)
Ronald B. Balin
Blake Blakesley (Band-Aide)
Bob Bonner (baton)
Jim Brooks (bassoon, string bass)
Paul Franklin Carpenter (flute)
Richard F. Chameroy-Ogorek (flute)
William Paul Chase (clarinet)
Ron Clements (flute)
Steve Collins (percussion)
Deedra Dawson (clarinet)
Stephen E. Duclos (horn)
Ron Eanes (flute)
James Finegan (trombone)
Carl W. Grant, Jr. (flute)
Randall Hagan (flag)
Ben Harty (flag, percussion)
Brick Holtzer (baton)
Pepper Hunter (baton)
Paul William Hutter (flag)
Bob Johnson (flag)
Walter Leonard (flag, Band-Aide)
Timothy Patrick Lewis (bassoon)
John R. Macauley (euphonium)
Terry Malmquist (Band-Aide)
Tommy Menehan (flute)
Steve Messina (bassoon, saxophone, percussion)
Phillip J. Moss (clarinet)
Brian Norton (flute)
Jerry Thomas Pestoff (trombone)
James M. Peterson (flute)
Kelly Plumber (baton)
David S. Ray (Band-Aide)
Robert Delira Rendon (saxophone, percussion, flag)
A.C. ("Junior" or "J.R.") Rodgers, Jr. (trumpet)
Michael Rutherford (tuba)
Randy Lee Sanders (trombone, trumpet, sousaphone)
Dorich Garfield Scott (baton)
Beth Smith (conductor, euphonium, trumpet)
Charles Henry Taylor III (bassoon)
Gerry Walker (conductor)
Bill Watson (flag)
Marvin David Weeks (saxophone)
And all the names of those we do not know, but who helped to build DCDD to where it is today.
Acknowledgements
DCDD gives express thanks to the leadership and staff of the Church of the Epiphany for providing this performance space. Thank you to David Bandman for recording our performances to maintain an archive of our organization’s musicianship and history. Our deepest appreciation to First Congregational United Church of Christ for opening their doors to DCDD as our new rehearsal space this year, as well as for support with storage and other logistics. For their longtime partnership as a home to DCDD, we acknowledge and thank the Lutheran Church of the Reformation. To our volunteers, our musicians, our Board & Staff, our donors and community partners, and to all who attended this performance - thank you for making this all possible!
Future DCDD Events
See our Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, & Various Small Ensembles perform at the...
DCDD Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 14, 3:00pm
Church of the Epiphany (1317 G St NW) *new location this year*
Free to attend, donations encouraged!
And mark your calendars for the Symphonic Band’s Spring Concert:
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 7:00pm at Church of the Epiphany
Additional information on upcoming events for all of our ensembles may be found at www.dcdd.org/events.
There are many ways you can help DCDD thrive:
- Invite friends and family to experience the rest of our season.
- Spread the word about our mission to support DC’s LGBTQIA+ musical community.
- Volunteer your time at one of our future events.
- If you are with a local business and would like to support financially or through hosting an event, contact development@dcdd.org.
- And of course, consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue growing!
Connect with DCDD on social media
Instagram: @DCs.Different.Drummers
Facebook: @DCsDifferentDrummers
Learn more on our website: DCDD.org
