Ottawa musician Joe Lorincz practises in his home. His band Sharps and Flats is currently looking for new members. The band is part of The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre and has seen a decline in membership.
The Sharps and Flats band has been bringing music to Centretown for decades, but that sound is getting softer. The band, part of The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre, has seen a decline in members and is looking to expand its numbers once more.
“Not enough people are coming to join up,” says Joe Lorincz, 75, the band’s saxophone player. He says the band hasn’t gotten smaller for lack of interest, but because other things have gotten in the way.
“A gentleman was playing clarinet with us, and we had to ask him to stay home because he was 91 or 92 and he was driving all the way from Alymer to join us.”
The Sharps and Flats Band offers a place for seniors to make new friends, grow as musicians, and give back to the community through their performances, many of which are at seniors’ homes in the area.
The band had 19 members and more than 50 performances a year in the early 2000s. Now, there are nine members left.
The band members are optimistic that new musicians will join and restore the full sound of a once-large band. They’ve booked six performances since January and are excited to start the year strong.
“Just last week, a lady joined us. She’s going to play saxophone with us,” says Lorincz.
He says the new member has been playing for years, but that not everyone needs that kind of experience to join the Sharps and Flats. The band is asking new members to be excited to learn and grow, and stresses that a lot of experience isn’t necessary.
The band has provided a great learning experience for Lorincz, who used music to help him change his own life.
“I’m really not a musician,” says Lorincz, “I took it up when I quit smoking. I needed something in my mouth.”
Lorincz became the leader of the Sharps and Flats for 12 years, proving just how much can be done with enough dedication. He’s hoping others will find the benefits of joining the band as well.
Other members have found themselves inspired by the Sharps and Flats.
“I took piano lessons as a kid, until I was maybe 14 or 15,” says Wayne Beaudoin, 75, the band’s piano player.
“As I neared retirement, I decided I would spend more time on the piano again.”
Beaudoin says a friend told him about the Sharps and Flats band 10 years ago and went to a practice to see what it was like. Years later, he’s enjoying playing more than ever.
“To a certain extent, it’s like riding a bicycle. You never really forget.”
Darlene Powers, the Good Companions’ day centre adviser, says the band’s performances at The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre are always a highlight for other members.
“The Sharps and Flats are a very talented group of people,” she says, “people really look forward to their performances and listening in on their practices.”
The band practises every Wednesday morning at the centre, September to June.