John Barath (Trumpet) has been playing trumpet since the 5th grade. He holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from West Virginia University. John retired from IBM after 32 years of service. He enjoys actively performing with The Big Band Sound, The Big Blue Big Band, the Rhinebeck Legion Band, the Saugerties Community Band, and the Hudson Valley Youth Chorale. In addition to trumpet, John also plays piano and performs with various local community theater groups.
Connie Kessel (Flute) is principal flute of the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, performs with the Vassar College & Community Wind Ensemble, and is also active in the Hudson Valley as a free-lance musician and private flute teacher. She holds a B.M. degree in Music Education from SUNY College at Fredonia and a M.M. degree in Flute Performance with concentrations is Music Education and Conducting from Western Michigan University. Connie is recently retired from the Pine Plains Central School District where she served as a Band Teacher and Music Teacher for 31 years. She is now enjoying the time to pursue new musical opportunities.
Alan Van Ness (Alto Saxophone) graduated from the Crane School of Music at the State University College at Potsdam receiving a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music degree in music education. He began his teaching career at Pine Plains Central School where he taught elementary instrumental music for ten years. Alan then moved to Red Hook Central School and taught middle school instrumental music for twenty four years before retiring in 2012. He now enjoys playing tennis, golf, making music with the Rhinebeck Legion Band, and traveling to various parts of the world.
