About Us

Community Band South rehearses Monday nights from 7:30pm until 9:30pm in the Band Room at Upper St. Clair High School.

Our History

In 1987, Dean Streator, former teacher of Instrumental Music at Bethel Park High School and James Bennett, former Director of Bands and Chairman of Fine Arts for the Upper St. Clair School District, founded Community Band South. It was created to provide the opportunity for former high school and college band members to continue to play. The Upper St. Clair School District supported the idea and accepted CBS as part of its outreach activities.

EST1987

1987

2015

2016 & 2023

2024

TODAY

Established

Community Band South is established by Dean Streator and James Bennett.

Third Conductor

Max Gonano, retired Director of Bands and Chairman of the Music Department at California University of Pennsylvania, was added as the third conductor.

Loss of Co-Founders

CBS suffers the loss of its Co-Founders, Dean Streator (2016) and Jim Bennett (2023). Their legacy continues through the lives that they touched and with Community Band South. Our motto: “Music Is For A Lifetime.”

Additional Conductor

CBS adds Mr Chad Hill, an instrumental music specialist with the Pittsburgh Public Schools, to its team of conductors.

Where We Are

CBS continues to provide entertainment for the communities from which its membership is drawn. The band performs an average of 12 concerts a year in the Western Pennsylvania area, including such diverse venues as churches, senior citizens centers, festivals, community centers, shopping malls, community events and joint concerts with high school and university bands.