Our History
For most of the last century the Naugatuck Community Band entertained town residents with summer concerts at all the parks in town and with periodic concerts at Baummer's Pond for winter ice skaters. This all ended in the 1970's.
After an almost thirty year absence the community band returned in the fall of 1999 with their first concert in the spring of 2000. On the evening of June 21 a Naugatuck tradition returned. A free concert was performed at the gazebo on the Green by the newly re-formed Naugatuck Community Band. Since then, that concert has become a yearly tradition for the band, as well as performing in the Memorial Day Salute to Veterans Concert.
In addition to giving annual concerts on the Naugatuck Town Green the NCB presents a holiday concert each December, Sounds of the Season. In the past 5 years the band's song list has grown to include over 100 songs. The NCB prides itself on being involved in the community and has performed in support of The mayor's inauguration, The Harvest Moon Festival, support our troops functions, various church fairs, and civic ceremonies including the recent 50th anniversary of the Flood of 55 ceremony held on the Waterbury Green. The band has performed in several local concert series including the towns of Naugatuck, Woodbury, Ansonia, Seymour, Meriden, and Bristol, Connecticut.
For most of the last century the Naugatuck Community Band entertained town residents with summer concerts at all the parks in town and with periodic concerts at Baummer's Pond for winter ice skaters. This all ended in the 1970's.
After an almost thirty year absence the community band returned in the fall of 1999 with their first concert in the spring of 2000. On the evening of June 21 a Naugatuck tradition returned. A free concert was performed at the gazebo on the Green by the newly re-formed Naugatuck Community Band. Since then, that concert has become a yearly tradition for the band, as well as performing in the Memorial Day Salute to Veterans Concert.
In addition to giving annual concerts on the Naugatuck Town Green the NCB presents a holiday concert each December, Sounds of the Season. In the past 5 years the band's song list has grown to include over 100 songs. The NCB prides itself on being involved in the community and has performed in support of The mayor's inauguration, The Harvest Moon Festival, support our troops functions, various church fairs, and civic ceremonies including the recent 50th anniversary of the Flood of 55 ceremony held on the Waterbury Green. The band has performed in several local concert series including the towns of Naugatuck, Woodbury, Ansonia, Seymour, Meriden, and Bristol, Connecticut.
Our Director
Joel R. Knecht took over as Director of the Naugatuck Community Band in September of 2015. Mr. Knecht graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance on Euphonium. He studied under many professors at WCSU including Dr. Fernando Jimenez, Dr. Kevin Isaacs and Andrew Rodgers. While at Western Connecticut State University, Mr. Knecht performed with the All New England Intercollegiate Band on two occasions, under the baton of Jerry Junkin and Gary Green. He completed his Master of Music in Music Education from Kent State University in 2013. Mr. Knecht has been a presenter for the Waterbury Public Schools, the CMEA All-State In-service Conference and the NAfME All Eastern Division Conference, presenting sessions on teaching music composition. He began teaching music in 2004, and has previously taught at Christian Heritage School, Seymour High School, and Hillside Middle School. He currently serves as the Instrumental Music Director at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, a position he has held since 2010. Mr. Knecht is also an avid composer and arranger, having composed numerous original pieces for Concert Band, solo Euphonium literature, and many arrangements for a wide range of ensembles, including Jazz Combos, Brass Ensembles, Woodwind Ensembles, and Mallet Percussion Ensembles. Mr. Knecht lives in Naugatuck with his wife, Kimya, and their 4 children, Elijah, Grant, Silas, and Lynnea. In his free time, he loves to play Fantasy Sports, ride rollercoasters, and watch the New York Yankees.
Joel R. Knecht took over as Director of the Naugatuck Community Band in September of 2015. Mr. Knecht graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance on Euphonium. He studied under many professors at WCSU including Dr. Fernando Jimenez, Dr. Kevin Isaacs and Andrew Rodgers. While at Western Connecticut State University, Mr. Knecht performed with the All New England Intercollegiate Band on two occasions, under the baton of Jerry Junkin and Gary Green. He completed his Master of Music in Music Education from Kent State University in 2013. Mr. Knecht has been a presenter for the Waterbury Public Schools, the CMEA All-State In-service Conference and the NAfME All Eastern Division Conference, presenting sessions on teaching music composition. He began teaching music in 2004, and has previously taught at Christian Heritage School, Seymour High School, and Hillside Middle School. He currently serves as the Instrumental Music Director at John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, a position he has held since 2010. Mr. Knecht is also an avid composer and arranger, having composed numerous original pieces for Concert Band, solo Euphonium literature, and many arrangements for a wide range of ensembles, including Jazz Combos, Brass Ensembles, Woodwind Ensembles, and Mallet Percussion Ensembles. Mr. Knecht lives in Naugatuck with his wife, Kimya, and their 4 children, Elijah, Grant, Silas, and Lynnea. In his free time, he loves to play Fantasy Sports, ride rollercoasters, and watch the New York Yankees.