Name: Robert J. Blauvelt

Town: Bartow, Florida

Instruments: Trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet

Robert J. Blauvelt, a retired firefighter, comes from a musical family. His mother Frances, two brothers and two sisters all play musical instruments. He has played in the Bridgton Community Band since 2004 traveling to Maine from his home in Bartow, Florida each summer. Growing up he played in the Lincoln High School Concert Band in Michigan and later the 55^th U.S Army Band. For several years while in Michigan he ran a band called the Bob Taylor Sextet. Currently in addition to playing in the Bridgton Community Band he also plays in the Bartow Concert Band in Bartow, Florida and the Snowbird Band in Winter Haven, Florida.

Robert’s favorite types of music include sacred, classical and modern jazz.  Dmitri Shostakovich is his favorite composer.

Other musical hobbies include serving as cantor and choir director at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Bartow, Florida and at St. Joseph’s Church in Bridgton in the summertime. He and wife Dale enjoy cantoring together.   Fishing, boating, golf, football and baseball are also favorite pastimes.

One of Robert’s most memorable band experiences occurred while serving in the 55^th U.S. Army band when they played for President Eisenhower at the Redstone Arsonal in Huntsville, Alabama.

As a member of the Bridgton Community Band Robert’s favorite concert or parade played outside of Bridgton are the concerts the band performs in during R.B. Hall Day. He describes his experience playing in the Bridgton Band as exciting and fun with very good camaraderie among the players. He especially enjoys working with conductor Natasha Proctor.