Town Band Banter with Doc and Dave

Doc Smith David Price
  • 5.0 (1)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where every week or so, two long time colleagues in the world of music, David Price and Donald “Doc” Smith discuss the triumphs as well as the twists and turns along the path of life-long learning for members of thousands of civilian community music ensembles of every shape and size. Topics include positive and negative effects of cognitive and physical challenges as members enter their senior years and mix with younger members. The hosts share a lifetime of touching and humorous stories and solutions that are enhanced by the suggestions of special guests and comments from listeners.

  1. JAN 9

    Banter with Dr. Rob about RIWE & BIRD

    We get the New Year started off with a high energy chat with our friend, Dr. Rob Franzblau, retired Director of Bands at Rhode Island College and current director of The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble (RIWE). Rob had a fascinating career path to this point and, though retired since 2023, doesn’t seem to be lacking in energy or innovation. We were particularly fascinated with one of many community outreach programs RIWE promotes: Band Instrument Renewal Drive (BIRD, acronym courtesy of Rob!). Band instruments that are not being played are donated from various sources, local instrument repair shops work as partners and are reimbursed for their work through RIWE fundraising, then the instruments are donated back into school band programs that are in need of them. Hopefully, the instruments will continue to be used for many years to come.  To help with this effort and to learn more about RIWE, search for their website: riwe.org and join the band, attend a concert, donate an instrument or $ for the the program. Surely this will help many students with our goal for them: “Just Keep On Playin!” RIWE link: riwe.org As always, we invite you to also contact us with questions and comments at info@TownBandBanter.com Remember to Follow or Subscribe and Share! Share! Share!

    35 min

  2. JAN 9

    Banter with Dr. Rob about RIWE & BIRD

    We get the New Year started off with a high energy chat with our friend, Dr. Rob Franzblau, retired Director of Bands at Rhode Island College and current director of The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble (RIWE). Rob had a fascinating career path to this point and, though retired since 2023, doesn’t seem to be lacking in energy or innovation. We were particularly fascinated with one of many community outreach programs RIWE promotes: Band Instrument Renewal Drive (BIRD, acronym courtesy of Rob!). Band instruments that are not being played are donated from various sources, local instrument repair shops work as partners and are reimbursed for their work through RIWE fundraising, then the instruments are donated back into school band programs that are in need of them. Hopefully, the instruments will continue to be used for many years to come.  To help with this effort and to learn more about RIWE, search for their website: riwe.org and join the band, attend a concert, donate an instrument or $ for the the program. Surely this will help many students with our goal for them: “Just Keep On Playin!” RIWE link: riwe.org As always, we invite you to also contact us with questions and comments at info@TownBandBanter.com Remember to Follow or Subscribe and Share! Share! Share!

    35 min

  3. 11/06/2025

    Historical Mark from Newport, RI

    We had a high spirited, wide ranging, on site, but chilly visit with Dr. Mark Stickney, founder of the Historic Music of Newport Foundation. Mark has combined his roots from historic Newport, Rhode Island music festivals that he and his family were a big part of beginning in his childhood through a 20+ college teaching career and now returning full circle back to Newport. The Foundation, founded in 2022, under Mark and his outstanding board of directors are making great contributions to revealing the fascinating history of music in Newport, Rhode Island through the 1800’s to present. They have catalogued over 1,000 pieces of music, researched over 900 musicians and much more while disseminating the information through their website, publications and visits to schools and conferences.  To learn more, or contact Mark, please visit their website and/or email listed below. web site: historicmusicofnewport.org Email: staff@historicmusicofnewport.org As always, we invite you to also contact us with questions and comments at info@TownBandBanter.com Remember to Follow or Subscribe and Share! Share! Share!

    37 min

  4. 11/06/2025

    Historical Mark from Newport

    We had a high spirited, wide ranging, on site, but chilly visit with Dr. Mark Stickney, founder of the Historic Music of Newport Foundation. Mark has combined his roots from historic Newport, Rhode Island music festivals that he and his family were a big part of beginning in his childhood through a 20+ college teaching career and now returning full circle back to Newport. The Foundation, founded in 2022, under Mark and his outstanding board of directors are making great contributions to revealing the fascinating history of music in Newport, Rhode Island through the 1800’s to present. They have catalogued over 1,000 pieces of music, researched over 900 musicians and much more while disseminating the information through their website, publications and visits to schools and conferences.  To learn more, or contact Mark, please visit their website and/or email listed below. web site: historicmusicofnewport.org Email: staff@historicmusicofnewport.org As always, we invite you to also contact us with questions and comments at info@TownBandBanter.com Remember to Follow or Subscribe and Share! Share! Share!

    37 min

  5. 11/01/2025

    Trick AND Treat AND Banter

    S3E1 Trick AND Treat AND Banter Season 3 begins with high energy banter from our hosts recorded on Halloween! The hilarious shared reflections of the first two seasons and the exciting plans for a new season are more than enough to demonstrate our hosts at their best! Enjoy the ride. Then share it with your friends and family and everyone else. There will be plenty of room for everyone as we all support and grow the amazing world of community music ensembles! Please share your comments and requests for future topics with us via: email: info@TownBandBanter.com Facebook: Town Band Banter Instagram: #townbandbanter TikTok: COMING SOON!! As promised, here is the link to The Jamestown Community Band performing “Coffin Races” at their Fall concert on October 24, 2025: https:??youtu.be/nAHwOo-BVdc

    27 min

  6. 11/01/2025

    Trick AND Treat AND Banter

    S3E1 Trick AND Treat AND Banter Season 3 begins with high energy banter from our hosts recorded on Halloween! The hilarious shared reflections of the first two seasons and the exciting plans for a new season are more than enough to demonstrate our hosts at their best! Enjoy the ride. Then share it with your friends and family and everyone else. There will be plenty of room for everyone as we all support and grow the amazing world of community music ensembles! Please share your comments and requests for future topics with us via: email: info@TownBandBanter.com Facebook: Town Band Banter Instagram: #townbandbanter TikTok: COMING SOON!! As promised, here is the link to The Jamestown Community Band performing “Coffin Races” at their Fall concert on October 24, 2025: https:??youtu.be/nAHwOo-BVdc

    27 min

  7. 05/20/2025

    Hello Mandolin Band

    Doc and Dave learned about the world of Mandolin Ensembles from an expert, Joshua Bell Director of the l’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble of Providence, RI. We were also joined by a former Mandolin student of Josh’s, ands our own first season star Sandra Enos! Josh’s extensive knowledge of the world and history of mandolin as well as his welcoming attitude for new learners was more than enough for a wonderful episode. We all knew Josh, but we also all learned something from him during this session and, as we had promised, we expand into other types of community ensembles beyond concert and jazz bands. The historical proliferation of the mandolin as a solo instrument as well as a family of instruments results in mandolin bands existing throughout the USA and the world. We are sure you will enjoy this brief introduction to the vibrant genre of community music ensembles.  To contact and learn more about l’Esperance Mandlin Ensemble, visit their website at lesperancemandolin.com or contact Joshua Bell directly at 401-345-6930 Your comments are always appreciated for the podcast at info@TownBandBanter.com

    36 min

  8. 05/20/2025

    Hello Mandolin Bands

    Doc and Dave learned about the world of Mandolin Ensembles from an expert, Joshua Bell Director of the l’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble of Providence, RI. We were also joined by a former Mandolin student of Josh’s, ands our own first season star Sandra Enos! Josh’s extensive knowledge of the world and history of mandolin as well as his welcoming attitude for new learners was more than enough for a wonderful episode. We all knew Josh, but we also all learned something from him during this session and, as we had promised, we expand into other types of community ensembles beyond concert and jazz bands. The historical proliferation of the mandolin as a solo instrument as well as a family of instruments results in mandolin bands existing throughout the USA and the world. We are sure you will enjoy this brief introduction to the vibrant genre of community music ensembles.  To contact and learn more about l’Esperance Mandlin Ensemble, visit their website at lesperancemandolin.com or contact Joshua Bell directly at 401-345-6930 Your comments are always appreciated for the podcast at info@TownBandBanter.com

    36 min
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About

Where every week or so, two long time colleagues in the world of music, David Price and Donald “Doc” Smith discuss the triumphs as well as the twists and turns along the path of life-long learning for members of thousands of civilian community music ensembles of every shape and size. Topics include positive and negative effects of cognitive and physical challenges as members enter their senior years and mix with younger members. The hosts share a lifetime of touching and humorous stories and solutions that are enhanced by the suggestions of special guests and comments from listeners.

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