(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) – The Greater St. Petersburg Area Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Marching Band enters its 41st season with a new band director and a renewed focus to provide former high school, college, and military band members the opportunity to march one more time.
Second Time Arounders Co-Founder Bill Findeison hand-picked his successor, Mark Deen, to take the helm of the organization at the close of the band’s historic 40th season, which included a performance in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. Findeison ,who has served as director since the band’s inception, will continue to advise the organization as Director Emeritus.
A member of the Second Time Arounders since 2018, Mark Deen is a retired band director with more than three decades of experience as a music ministry educator and director at large congregations around Tampa Bay and in Georgia. Deen is an avid composer and arranger of both choral and band music, has designed marching band half-time shows, and worked as a drill instructor. He’s the co-founder of Bones South, a trombone ensemble and rhythm section that performs regularly in the community, and he plays trombone in several concert bands in the Tampa Bay community. A Pennsylvania native, Deen holds a B.A. in Music from Gettysburg College, and earned his Florida Teacher Certification in Instrumental Music Education from the University of South Florida.
“I’m honored and humbled to be the new director of The Awesome Original Second Time Arounders,” added Deen. “Bill has done an absolutely phenomenal job over the last 40 years and I know I have big shoes to fill. The Rounders culture is fueled by passionate volunteerism, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. I look forward to preserving that culture and history while providing fresh creativity for our both our returning members and our next generation of members.”
The Second Time Arounders’ 41st season includes a return to field show performances where members march in a variety of different patterns as they play their instruments. The marching band will also perform in several parade performances during the Holiday season.
This year’s theme is “Viva La Musica” which features Tampa Bay’s Hispanic heritage in sight, sound, and narrative. Musical selections include “Malaguena”, “Cup of Life”, “Fireball”, and “Land of Make Believe.”
In addition to musicians, the Second Time Arounders includes a color guard (flags and rifles), twirlers, dancers, and an honor guard. The organization draws members aged 18-80 from all over Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Orlando, and other parts of Central Florida. The Rounders also count seasonal residents from as far away as Germany, New York, and California among its ranks.
The Second Time Arounders always welcomes new adult members with marching band experience who want to experience the exhilaration of performing one more time. Rehearsals for our 2022 – 2023 season will begin in September. Auditions are not required of musicians. The band is especially looking for low brass, clarinet and saxophone players, and percussionists.
The only requirement for all members is a desire for excellence and a willingness to attend rehearsals and performances. The season will run from September through December and includes five performances and parades, including the Universal Studios Christmas Parade in Orlando.
Our History
The Second Time Arounders was co-founded by former high school band director, Bill Findeison, and colleague, Herb Melleney. The Rounders is believed to be the first all-adult community marching band in the world. Others have followed The Rounders’ example, but the band remains one of the few still organized.
Throughout the years, the Rounders have been invited to perform at many well-known parades and festivals throughout the U.S. and internationally. In 2019, The Second Time Arounders performed for a worldwide television audience at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It was the band’s second invitation to perform in the legendary parade. Other performances have included the Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Canada, Portland, Oregon’s Rose Festival, the San Antonio Fiesta Celebration, and Washington, D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival.
To learn more about the Second Time Arounders or to explore becoming a member, visit our website, www.secondtimearounders.org.
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