For March, meet Marty Rench, a woodwinds player in the Naperville Municipal Band.
In what Naperville subdivision or other city is your home? Maplebrook II in Naperville.
Where did you attend high school? Morton West H.S in Berwyn, Illinois.
Who inspired you to play an instrument? No one in particular – My parents always wanted us kids to learn a musical instrument.
What Instrument (s) do you play? Clarinet and saxophone.
How old when you started taking music lessons? Ten years old (5th grade).
Do you wish you’d learned to play a different instrument? At times, yes.
Which one? A brass instrument like trumpet because it is louder.
How old were you with you joined the NMB? 35 years old.
How long have you played with the NMB? Since 1978 – 42 years.
What’s your favorite type of music / song / theme for NMB concerts? Classic overtures with the Concert Band; Big Band and Dixieland Jazz with the Naperville Jazz Bands.
What kind of music do you prefer to listen to in your car? Classical or quiet jazz.
Who’s your favorite musician or singer? On clarinet, Richard Stoltzman. On Saxophone, Paquito D’Rivera.
When not playing music, what are your other favorite past times? Baking and cooking. Baking bread is my favorite.
What’s your occupation or “day job”? I’m a retired engineer who worked at Bell Labs in Naperville. Now I teach clarinet and saxophone (private lessons).
Briefly describe the importance of music in your life.
Music playing and teaching lifts my spirits and creates joy in my life. It has also generated many great friendships over the past 40 years.
Any brief note that might inspire others?
After college I stopped playing music for 15 years. I got back into it after a colleague invited me to try out with the Naperville Municipal Band. He and I still play in the band and remain friends. To those who are reluctant to get back to playing after a long break, give it a try. It can be very rewarding, and fun.
