The idea of a band came about in the spring of 1995 when
George Pendergast, a retired tour bus driver, read an article in Newsweek about the
New Horizons Band of Rochester, New York. The New Horizons Band was a pilot program underwritten by NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants) to determine if the concept of a concert band for people fifty years of age or older, who hadn’t played for decades, was feasible. In 1991 NAMM asked
Dr. Roy Ernst of the Eastman School of Music to head the project. He accepted, and the rest is history. The New Horizons Band got high marks across the board,
as a performing entity, a social group, a learning opportunity, and a perfect way to have fun.
George contacted Dr. Ernst, who suggested that a band be started in Santa Barbara. George knew immediately who should lead the new band: Van, his son's former music teacher, had been a long-time teacher at La Colina Junior High School and was recently retired. When presented with the idea, Van was very interested. At his recommendation they contacted Nick Rail, of Nick Rail Music, who agreed to become the band sponsor. The three of them met bi-weekly for three months, planning and strategizing, putting everything in place to help guarantee a perfect launch. They chose to name the group the Prime Time Band.
Nick Rail Music underwrote the startup costs of the band and Van’s wife Lorraine served as Band Manager throughout Van’s tenure as conductor. Together they began the job of organizing and getting the word out to the community.
For a more thorough discussion of the band's history, click
here.
As owner of Nick Rail Music, In the early days of Prime Time Band he helped beginners by demonstrating the various instruments and recommending local teachers to help them. He offered the services of his bookkeeper, who managed the Band’s finances from 1995 to August 1999.
In March of 1999, Nick was added to the expanded Board of Directors. He was welcomed to the Board “with gratitude for the many services and the encouragement he has provided to the Band.” He continued on the Board until his departure.
Nick identified teachers for our initial sectional rehearsals and funded their costs. He continued recommending resources and arranging for instructors for clinics and master classes for the Band. He helped choose the guest conductors for our Band Camps. He was always a resource to consult when decisions had to be made.
Nick gave us great advice and special deals on repair and replacement of Band equipment and offered special “member of the Band” deals of merchandise in his store.
As a member of the Association of Music Merchants, Nick (NAMM), Nick suggested using a couple of our quartets to play at its yearly conference in Anaheim. The Brass Quartet played the first year and the Saxophone Quartet played the second year.
Nick has missed only one of our concerts, when he was up north laying the groundwork for the community outreach he and his wife were planning.
He was recognized with other charter members at the Band’s 20th anniversary concert (Winter 2015) when the conductor gave special recognition to the founders:
George Pendergast, J.B. Van Vander Ark, and Nick Rail. “Big” George had passed away recently but he was represented by his son. George. and daughter Allison Fuller.
Mayor Helene Schneider presented certificates of recognition to them. Nick acknowledged the recognition by saying, “It’s a wonderful privilege to have been of service to this fine organization. As a businessman, as a music store owner, this type of outreach and opportunity to help, to work with these fine people, will be something that I’ll cherish always.”
In 2021 the board of directors honored him with a an Honorary Life Membership in the Prime Time Band.
The whole Band wishes Nick and Lisa the very best in their new endeavor of helping the children of Nick’s home town Crescent City.
As owner of Nick Rail Music, In the early days of Prime Time Band he helped beginners by demonstrating the various instruments and recommending local teachers to help them. He offered the services of his bookkeeper, who managed the Band’s finances from 1995 to August 1999.
In March of 1999, Nick was added to the expanded Board of Directors. He was welcomed to the Board “with gratitude for the many services and the encouragement he has provided to the Band.” He continued on the Board until his departure.
Nick identified teachers for our initial sectional rehearsals and funded their costs. He continued recommending resources and arranging for instructors for clinics and master classes for the Band. He helped choose the guest conductors for our Band Camps. He was always a resource to consult when decisions had to be made.
Nick gave us great advice and special deals on repair and replacement of Band equipment and offered special “member of the Band” deals of merchandise in his store.
As a member of the Association of Music Merchants, Nick (NAMM), Nick suggested using a couple of our quartets to play at its yearly conference in Anaheim. The Brass Quartet played the first year and the Saxophone Quartet played the second year.
Nick has missed only one of our concerts, when he was up north laying the groundwork for the community outreach he and his wife were planning.
He was recognized with other charter members at the Band’s 20th anniversary concert (Winter 2015) when the conductor gave special recognition to the founders:
George Pendergast, J.B. Van Vander Ark, and Nick Rail. “Big” George had passed away recently but he was represented by his son. George. and daughter Allison Fuller.
Mayor Helene Schneider presented certificates of recognition to them. Nick acknowledged the recognition by saying, “It’s a wonderful privilege to have been of service to this fine organization. As a businessman, as a music store owner, this type of outreach and opportunity to help, to work with these fine people, will be something that I’ll cherish always.”
In 2021 the board of directors honored him with a an Honorary Life Membership in the Prime Time Band.
The whole Band wishes Nick and Lisa the very best in their new endeavor of helping the children of Nick’s home town Crescent City.