The Grand Street Community Band is an all-volunteer symphonic wind ensemble that rehearses and performs esteemed repertoire in a friendly setting. We help adult musicians improve their command of brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments while striving for a high level of craft and visibility. We support projects that encourage lifelong music-making through participation in symphonic wind ensembles. We strive to give every instrumental musician a place to play, regardless of ability level.
About Us
Our members come from all professions and walks of life; some of our seats are filled by alumni of the Grand Street Campus High Schools, from which the band takes its name. GSCB fills a huge void for symphonic wind ensembles in the New York City area.
Along with our emphasis on musicianship, we take pride in being a social, friendly group that encourages community values and gives our participants the opportunity to play together. GSCB’s efforts continue to surprise and delight both musicians and audiences, while keeping classical music alive and well within the Brooklyn community and beyond.
In addition to presenting our regular series at Grand Street High School, we have participated in Columbia University’s Festival of Winds, Make Music New York, McCarren Park Pumpkin Day, and Summer Starz at the East River State Park in our home neighborhood of Williamsburg. GSCB has also had the honor of performing at both Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.
MMC Board of Directors
The Grand Street Community Band is governed by the MMC Board of Directors.
David Blumenthal
Artistic Director
David Blumenthal is a member of the instrumental music faculty at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he conducts numerous ensembles and teaches courses in music theory, aural skills, and music history. Prior to his appointment at LaGuardia, he taught in Westchester County for three years as a band director at Harrison High School. Blumenthal began his career with the non-profit organization Education Through Music, and established a comprehensive music education program at P.S. 84 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Blumenthal earned a Master of Music degree in wind band conducting from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Music degree in music performance and music education, as well as a B.A. in musical studies with a concentration in theory and history from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam. His principal teachers were Travis J. Cross and Brian K. Doyle in conducting, Mark S. Hartman in trombone, and Timothy R. Sullivan as his thesis advisor for theory and history.
During his studies at UCLA, Blumenthal served as assistant conductor for the UCLA Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band. Brass Ensemble, and Symphony, and coordinated the UCLA Wind Ensemble Invitational and the UCLA Wind Conducting Workshop. Each summer, Blumenthal continues his studies in conducting here in the U.S and abroad. Most recently, he has participated in conducting symposiums at the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, and the University of Michigan. This summer, he is a participant at the Conductors Forum at the New England Conservatory of Music.
David currently resides in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with his partner Leah, and their dog Ziggy.
Jerel Witsell
Assistant Artistic Director
Jerel Witsell serves as the General and Instrumental music teacher in New York City Department of Education. Jerel also serves as a conductor for The Salute To Music Bronx Band. He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Master’s in Multiple Woodwind Performance and Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas. He studied oboe with Anna Hendrickson and James Ryon, flute with Mary Karen Clardy, and clarinet with Darryl Coad. His conducting teachers include Dr. Lawrence Eismen, Brian Doyle, and Dennis Fisher. Jerel holds additional teacher training in Kodaly and Orff Schulwerk.
As an educator and conductor, he has taught general and instrumental music to various ages in New York and Texas. As a performer, he has performed at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Meyerson Concert Hall. He has recorded with the University of North Texas Symphonic Band and University of North Texas Wind Symphony and still plays with various orchestras, chamber ensembles, and theaters around New York City.