by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Musician, music director, professor – and pilot?
Dr. Marc Dickman is very into music, both as a job and hobby, and flying adds that little extra something outside of his life of music. Just a week ago he was only known as a musician, professor and a pilot, but now he is the music director for the St. Johns River City Band, too.
Michael Davis resigned from the position earlier this year.
Dickman is no stranger to the St. Johns River City Band. He has been a member of the band since 1986, the same year he accepted a teaching job at the University of North Florida. Dickman is a distinguished euphonium player and studied with internationally known jazz educator Rich Madison.
Dickman said he has seen some tough times in the past 20 years, but he has also seen growth.
“Thanks to the people before me, they have kept this organization going,” he said. “It is tough keeping a non-profit arts program going for this long.”
While director, there are two things he would like to accomplish, he said.
“I want to increase the visibility of the band and also have more frequent concerts with our bigger bands,” said Dickman.
He is hoping by making the band more visible, it will increase sponsorships as well.
“I think the economy is still going strong and there are donors out there that have never been tapped,” he said.
The St. Johns River City Band is funded by the State of Florida, the City of Jacksonville and through private donations. The band’s largest fundraiser is “Taste the Music & Dance.” This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event and it will be held from 6:30-10:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at The Aetna Building.
The St. Johns River City Band is designated as an official band for the State of Florida as well as the City of Jacksonville.
Dickman added many people in Jacksonville don’t realize what the St. Johns River City Band has to offer and some don’t realize the city has a talented band right in its backyard.
“We have something that is world class right here in Jacksonville,” he said. “We have excellent jazz musicians and I would put them up against any musician anywhere.”
The St. Johns River City Band produces world class music with a focus on America and jazz music. Many of the musicians hold full-time jobs and others are retired ex-military band musicians who still love to play.
A few programs that Dickman has looked into starting again or expanding include the youth band and Sunday afternoon concert in the park.
Dickman said he would like to start an Honors Jazz Ensemble for children interested in participating in another band in addition to their school band. He added that they would rehearse at UNF and perform a few times with the St. Johns River City Band.
“I would also like to try and reinstate the Sunday afternoon concert in the park,” he said. “The band pioneered (the event) about 15 years ago.”
He added that it is expensive to put on a concert, but it is a way to get the band out in the community.
Dickman’s full-time job is as an associate professor of music at UNF. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education at Troy State University, his master’s degree from McNeese State University and his Doctorate in music performance at the University of North Texas.
Aside from playing, teaching and now directing music, Dickman took up flying three years ago. He and a friend recently bought a 1950 Piper PA 20, Pacer. The plane goes about 100 miles per hour and he has flown out of Craig Airport to Valdosta, Ga. to see his mother as well as Palatka and Tallahassee. Dickman is also a member of the North Florida Soaring Society located at Herlong Airport off Normandy Boulevard.
“My father was an Air Force pilot and I used to build model airplanes,” he said. “This is my other hobby so it is nice to have something else other than music.
“I am blessed to be able to do what I like doing. It really is a dream.”
The types of bands the St. Johns River City Band offers
• Brass Band
• Satin Swing
• Jazz Big Band
• Contemporary Jazz
• Dixieland Band
• Brass Quintet