The community of Tracy has a long history of community bands, dating back to the late 1880s. The current organization was started in 1982. Three of the founding members still perform in the band. The Tracy Community Band is comprised of approximately 55 amateur and professional musicians. The youngest musicians are high school students who perform at the recommendation of their high school director. And the oldest musicians are retired professionals with a long history of serving the community of Tracy. The community band includes a traditional concert band, a jazz band, and a small jazz ensemble. They meet weekly for a rehearsal and regularly perform for the community. Their season is August-May and includes concerts of various themes, including a highly popular Christmas concert. They end their season by playing for the Tracy Memorial Day Service at the cemetery each year. The community bands are available to perform at community events and seek to provide quality arts education to Tracy and surrounding communities.
Discipline: Arts Education
Tracy Theater Arts Collaborative
Tracy Theater Arts Collaborative (TTAC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is a self-sustaining full production house who provides education, teaching and performing theater arts opportunities across the greater Tracy area. Co-founders Maggie Foresee-Griese and Grace Reinheimer, have a professional production team eager to share the insights of theater performances, including drama and musical theater.
Maggie Foresee-Griese
With over four decades of experience, Maggie is a co-founder of TTAC and brings extensive expertise as a Director, Stage Manager, Costumer, Actress, Singer, and Vocal and Music Director. She is responsible for representing TTAC and overseeing the administration of the team.
Grace Reinheimer
With over 20 years of experience, Grace is another co-founder of TTAC. She specializes in Stage Management and oversees talent management and costuming. Grace’s experience extends to acting, elementary dance, and driving the administrative duties and website content.
Sarah McGuire
Sarah plays a key role in providing top-notch vocal coaching and music direction, with over 20 years in the field. Her expertise includes Directing, Vocal/Music Direction, Instruction, Acting, Choreography, and curriculum development for educational programs. Sarah is the theater and choir director at River Islands High School as well as a consultant for all TUSD high school theatre programs.
Geri Neylan
Geri spent 35 years teaching, inspiring students from grades 3rd-12th. She discovered her voice and lifelong love for the stage while performing in her first school musical. That experience sparked a deep belief in the transformative power of collaboration in theatre. “Miraculous things can happen when you work together, and that’s what theatre is to me,” she says. Now retired from full-time teaching, she continues to share her expertise by supporting local drama programs and exploring the world with her husband.
To learn more about TTAC, please visit www.ttheaterarts.org