MARLBORO — More than most 16-year-old school band members, Christie Stratos has used her talent to entertain music lovers throughout the community.
Members of Note-able Brass are (rear, l-r) Ali Marquardt, Domenica Dalton and David Kaminsky, and (front, l-r) Christie Stratos and Marykathryn Dalton.
Stratos, a Marlboro resident, plays the French horn. Last October, she formed a brass quintet, Note-able Brass, with four other Marlboro students. The quintet primarily entertains the residents of local assisted living facilities.
Stratos has also played in the band at the Strand Theater in Lakewood and in the Colts Neck Community Band. At Marlboro High School, she is a member of the school band, the jazz band, the jazz ensemble, the pit band, which performs during school plays, and the marching band.
Stratos is very happy that she and the other members of Note-able Brass have been able to bring joy to senior citizens.
"They (the residents) tap their feet, hum, sing, and some of them dance when we play. We can tell by their reactions that they really love our program. It’s great to be able to know that we’re doing something to make them happy. We feel so overwhelmed to be able to brighten their day," said Stratos, who added that she also enjoys talking and socializing with the senior citizens for whom the quintet performs.
The other members of Note-able Brass are Domenica Dalton, who plays the euphonium (a smaller, more portable version of the tuba); David Kaminsky, the quintet’s first trumpet player; Ali Marquardt, on second trumpet; and Marykathryn Dalton, on the trombone.
Patrick Dalton, Marlboro High School’s band director, has hosted practices for Note-able Brass, helped the quintet arrange music and purchased music for the performers. He has also helped Note-able Brass improve its act.
"He’s helped us a ton," Stratos said.
Since kicking off its performances in October, the group has played at many assisted living facilities, including Ken-sington Court, Tinton Falls; Applewood Estates, Freehold Township; Colts Neck Village, Colts Neck; and Sunrise Assisted Living, Marlboro. The quintet has been invited to make repeat performances at some of these locations, Stratos said.
In general, the quintet plays every weekend during the school year and every other weekend during the summer, Stratos said. The group members perform for free and usually open a performance with "The Star-Spangled Banner" and conclude with "America."
"The residents really appreciate it when kids are patriotic," Stratos said.
The quintet’s repertoire also includes selections from the musicals Oklahoma and The Sound of Music. The students are currently compiling a new selection of songs, which will include "God Bless America" and many others. They are also compiling songs for a holiday program.
The quintet has also played at the Marlboro municipal holiday lighting ceremony and at the Relay for Life, an event that raised money for cancer research.
Stratos began playing the French horn about two years ago. She played the flute for four years before switching to French horn at the urging of her high school band director, who told her that many students were playing the flute and said he wanted to encourage members of the band to play other instruments. Stratos still plays the flute, but said she likes the French horn much better.
"I really love it; it’s so much easier for me to play on brass. The flute is really nice, but I feel I can express myself better on French horn," Stratos said.
In addition to playing music, Stratos also composes and arranges music. She is also an author of fiction, including science fiction stories. Stratos, who is beginning her junior year at Marlboro High School, is looking forward to studying music education at West Chester University in West Chester, Pa.
"They have a great music program there," she said.
In the meantime, Note-able Brass will continue to entertain area residents.
By larry ramer
Staff Writer
Note-able Brass takes show
on road in western Monmouth