Smile
What makes Brian Swart smile? The band,” said the Cicero resident, who directs the Hamilton County Community Band, which will present a free Community Band Festival from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at Federal Hill Commons, with Crossroads Brass Band performing at 6 p.m. and HCCB at 7 p.m. He and Eric Thornbury, Noblesville Schools’ director of bands, and Marc Feeney, director of Fishers Community Chorus, co-founded the band about five years ago. “I enjoy that we have people from all ages.” The band has had players, from teens to mid-70s. “That shows you can bring people, any age, into music … a universal language.” Swart said they had no idea how many musicians would show up at the first band rehearsal. “Since then, we have grown to 80-plus members, and we keep growing.” He also directs the HCCB Jazz Band, which debuted at the December 2019 holiday concert. He was born and raised in Atlanta, Ind., and graduated from Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia. He plays the trombone, directed Lapel Community Band for four years and worked with NHS band on staff for many years. “This is a passion of mine,” said the Ball State University music education college major who works for IGT Indiana on behalf of the Hoosier Lottery. Both of his sons, Noah, 20, a percussionist, and Ethan, 17, a trumpet player, have played in the HCCB. Noah is also in the snare line section of Cap City indoor drumline, and DCI Group, The Cadets. Ethan is a junior at Hamilton Heights and is a diver and won the Boys IHSAA Diving State Tournament last year. Swart’s wife Melissa plays flute in HCCB and is an attorney for the State of Indiana Department of Child Services. Swart’s stepson, James, 23, also played in the jazz band before taking a job with the DCS in southern Indiana. As far as HCCB, Swart said, “We try to have music for everyone.” He chooses all of the band’s music for concerts and invites all levels of musicians into the band. For more information or to join their rehearsals, visit https://hamiltoncountycommunityband.com/ or call Swart at 317-507-3283 or visit the Hamilton County Community Band Facebook page.