The Greater Westfield Community Band (GWCB) was founded in 1996 by Gene Bartley. Gene had three purposes in mind: to give adult amateur musicians a chance to play in a large ensemble, to promote music education in Westfield, and to continually keep the public aware of the importance of music in our schools.

After 20 years as director, Gene retired in 2016 and passed the baton to Jim O’Connor. Jim was a Westfield resident and the music director at Southbridge High School.

The COVID pandemic forced some changes on the GWCB. We were unable to perform in 2020 and 2021, and Jim moved to Delaware to be closer to his aging parents. However, we are starting back up in the fall of 2022 with a new location and new co-directors:

• Patrick Kennedy, Westfield High School Band director
• Will Choe, Westfield Intermediate School Band director

Both are former students of Gene Bartley and their connection to the Westfield school music department strengthens the band.

The GWCB is a concert band and is open to all adult musicians. The only requirement is that participants be able to read music. The GWCB performs a fall and a spring concert. There are six weeks of rehearsals prior to each concert. The rehearsals are Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 and at Westfield High School in Westfield, Massachusetts.