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About Us
History
The Hamilton County Community Band (HCCB) was founded on February 25, 2018 with a meeting between Brian Swart, Marc Feeney and Eric Thornbury. These three men saw a need for a true community band in Hamilton County. The band's mission is to have a “FUN” atmosphere that is inviting to all musicians.
HCCB is a year-round band that rehearses on Sunday’s from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at Hamilton Heights Middle School. Please contact our Director, Brian Swart, for more information.
Brian Swart, Artistic Director and Conductor
Brian Swart is a native of Atlanta, Indiana. He received his bachelor’s degree in music from Ball State University in 2006, where he studied trombone under John Seidel. While at Ball State, Brian played bass trombone in the Wind Ensemble and Studio Jazz Ensemble. He was also Drum Major of the “Pride of Mid-America” Marching Band.
He is currently the Director / Founder of the Hamilton County Community Band. Past adventures include, President of the Hamilton Heights Band Boosters, Director of the Lapel Community Band, band staff for Daleville High School, Columbia City High School, Noblesville High School, Hamilton Heights High School, and Lapel High School. His professional memberships include The Association of Concert Bands, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Brian resides in Arcadia, Indiana with his wife Melissa (flute and Attorney with the State of Indiana) his sons, Noah (percussionist marching with The Colts Drum Corps and Cap City Percussion) and Ethan (trumpet, and State of Indiana 2 time Diving Champion) incoming Freshman at Auburn University. His step-son James, a percussionist at Crossroads Community Church of New Albany, IN. and Event Technician with Pinnacle Live. Brian works as a Technology Manager for IGT Indiana working on behalf of the State Lottery Commission of Indiana (Hoosier Lottery).
In Memory of Joseph Poio, Associate Conductor
In August of this year, we lost a beloved friend, mentor, and founding member of HCCB, our Associate Conductor Joe Poio.
Joseph Poio graduated from Butler University with a master's degree in music education. He was a well-established music educator that adjudicated some of the finest music ensembles around the country with the Central States Judges Association since 2004. He retired from Muncie Community Schools as their band director at Muncie Southside High School.
Some of his greatest accomplishments were State Fair Band Day Coordinator from 1988-2006, conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Band from 1998-2018, winning State Fair Band Day as director of Muncie Southside in 2008, and being runner-up in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and serving for four terms on the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) State Board. Concert organizations under his direction have received over seventy-five First Division Gold ratings at Indiana State School Music Association Festivals. He was assistant band director at Delta High School from 1989-1991, band director at Pendleton High School from 1980-1986, and band director at Noblesville High School from 1970-1979. He was the Butler Collegiate Ensemble lead chair clarinet player. He was the principal clarinetist with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra for eleven years and performed the Krommer double concerto for clarinets and orchestra with David Bellman of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
He was a member and past president of the Indiana Gamma Chapter of the international conductors' fraternity, Phi Beta Mu. He helped found the Hamilton County Community Band and served on its advisory board. He was a member and former member of the board of directors of the Central States Judges Association. He was a member of the ISSMA Board of Directors for twelve years.
Joe's personal impact on many HCCB members and the greater music community is evident, and he will be dearly missed.
