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PODCAST

String Band Sessions

Welcome to String Band Sessions, the official podcast of the Philadelphia Mummers String Band tradition! Be sure to stay updated as we release new episodes throughout the year, featuring stories, interviews, and inside looks at all things String Bands.

arts performing arts

All Episodes

00:09:15

Episode 31 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Quaker City...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/23

Host Jim Donio brings the String Band Sessions podcast to the Quaker City String Band for a behind-the-scenes look at "The Joker's Funhouse." Presentation Director Matt Farrell, Music Director Michael "Spanky" Brown, and Captain Jimmy Good (who will be leading the group for the 13th year) let us in on the colorful characters, obstacles and opportunities the mischievous Joker will try to take advantage of to keep control of his new funhouse attraction. A spirited musical score provides the soundtrack

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00:06:41

Episode 30 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Durning...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/23

Host Jim Donio travels to Gloucester City, NJ for the String Band Sessions podcast visit with the Durning String Band. He chats with Presentation Director Steve Palys, Music Director Rich Burr, and Captain Joe Pomante (who will be leading the group for the 17th year and also celebrating his upcoming induction into the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association Hall of Fame). They give us a behind-the scenes -- literally -- look at their "Be Our Guest" theme. Their production presents a

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00:06:50

Episode 29 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Uptown...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/22

Host Jim Donio and the String Band Sessions podcast went far north...of Philadelphia that is...to spend some time with the Uptown String Band and view the coming attractions for their "From Script to Screen" theme. Assistant Drill Master Ryan Radcliffe, Music Director Thor McLaughlin and Captain Kade Radcliffe reel us in to show how their Hollywood-centric production will unveil exactly what's involved in bringing a story to film. Movie-related songs we all know provide the soundtrack

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00:06:29

Episode 28 - The Road To New Year's 2026: South...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/19

Host Jim Donio and the String Band Sessions podcast have come to the South Philadelphia String Band to learn about their "BeWISHED" presentation for New Year's Day. Presentation Director Jim Browne, Music Director Lou Palena and reigning 1st Prize String Band Captain Denny Palandro (about to mark his 19th year in front of the group) share some exciting background details about how they have created what they describe as "an Aladdin spin-off," complete with classic Arabian

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00:05:57

Episode 27 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Polish...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/17

Host Jim Donio brings the String Band Sessions podcast to the Polish American String Band for a sneak preview of their "Log Jammin" presentation for this coming New Year's Day 2026. Presentation Director Rick Hagenbuch III, Music Director Chris D'Amore and Captain Nick Magenta (celebrating his 13th year in front of the group) take us behind-the-scenes of their action-packed, fun-filled journey to the Great Northwest. These happy-go-lucky lumberjacks promise a unique visual production with costuming

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00:10:25

Episode 26 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Jersey...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/17

Host Jim Donio travels to New Jersey for the next stop on the String Band Sessions podcast roadshow for a visit with the Jersey String Band and a trip back in time for their "Nifty Fifties Jukebox Jamboree." Captain Pat Walton, his brother Presentation Director Alex Walton, and Music Director Ryan Erikson share details about their nostalgic production bringing us on series of experiences during a fun-filled day in the 1950s complete with classic sights and sounds. At age 16, Ryan is the

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00:06:12

Episode 25 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Woodland...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/15

Host Jim Donio brings String Band Sessions podcast to the Woodland String Band to find out what we'll be experiencing from their jazzy "A Taste of Bourbon" show. We hear from Presentation Director Steve Bujnowski, Music Director A.J. Ford III and Captain George Balzer IV about how the Band's 100th Anniversary will be celebrated in traditional New Orleans style as we take in a variety of the Big Easy's musical, cultural and culinary delights.

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00:03:19

Episode 24 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Greater...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/12

Host Jim Donio takes String Band Sessions podcast out and about to see what the Greater Kensington String Band is planning for their 2026 theme "Adventurers Beware!" Presentation Director Matt Krohn, Music Director Matt Deininger and Captain Shawn Blubaugh share some details about how the jungle-focused journey will unfold. As the lead explorer, Captain Shawn will attempt to make his way past a series of challenging encounters -- some fun and some not so much -- to achieve his ultimate

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00:05:00

Episode 23 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Fralinger...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/11

Host Jim Donio's next stop for String Band Sessions podcast moves from land to sea for a preview of the Fralinger String Band's "Making Waves" production. He speaks with Presentation Director Bob Theil, Music Director Dave Zagorski and Captain Brad Bowen about their atmospheric oceanic spectacle. Bowen's King Neptune will guide us through a dramatic, theatrical blend of underwater sights and sounds, but with a few lighthearted moments splashed in for good measure.

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00:05:27

Episode 22 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Ferko...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/10

Host Jim Donio is taking the String Band Sessions show on the road as he visits all 14 bands in the next three weeks to get a backstage preview of their productions for New Year's Day 2026. Next up is the Joseph A. Ferko String Band with their theme "Soul Station," a nostalgic look back at the popular Disco and Soul music of the 1970s all set in a train yard. Jim chats with Music Director Matt Gibson, Presentation Director Byron Friend, and Captain Scott Ratzke, Jr. about their

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00:04:47

Episode 21 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Duffy...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/09

Host Jim Donio takes the String Band Sessions roadshow to the Duffy String Band for a behind-the-scenes look at "Music Store Galore." He gets a preview from Music Director Tony Ovecka, Presentation Director Sharon Crowe, and Captain Jake Kudrick about their production that will literally bring music to life...animated instruments, sheet music and more! Duffy has the distinction of the youngest marching String Band Captain in 19-year-old Jake -- who will take on the role of the shopkeeper

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00:03:25

Episode 20 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Avalon...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/05

Host Jim Donio's next stop on the String Band Sessions roadshow is a visit with the Avalon String Band. He speaks with Music Director Joe Urzillo, Presentation Director Jeff Crompton, and Captain Bobby Gagliardi about their bakery production "Confection Perfection." All of our favorite cakes, pies, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, and more are brought to delicious life...with genre-bending melodies and of course some Philly flavor mixed in for good measure. Avalon is making sure we know that

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00:07:16

Episode 19 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Hegeman...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/04

Host Jim Donio is on the road again with String Band Sessions at the Hegeman String Band to get a glimpse into their 2026 theme "Viva Las Hegeman." Captain Kelliann Gallagher and President Ryan Echols let us in on what we can expect to see and hear as they show us how much fun a trip to Vegas can be from casinos, showgirls, magicians, and more with classic Vegas tunes blended with contemporary pop hits. We also meet the youngest Hegeman musicians -- 11-year-olds Eve and Penny -- who remind

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00:02:28

Episode 18 - The Road To New Year's 2026: Aqua String...

String Band Sessions ·

2025/12/02

Host Jim Donio is taking the String Band Sessions show on the road as he visits all 14 bands in the next three weeks to get a backstage preview of their productions for New Year's Day 2026. First up is the Aqua String Band with their theme "Shamrock Shenanigans," a whimsical celebration of all things Irish. Jim chats with Music Director Andrew Maminski, Presentation Director Ed Maminski, and Captain Austin Tilley about their roles and challenges leading up to the big day when they all

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00:21:59

Episode 17 - Moms of Mums: Colleen Kudrick

String Band Sessions ·

2025/11/14

Our final guest in the "Moms of Mums" series, where Jim Donio chats with the mothers of String Band captains, is Colleen Kudrick, whose son Jake is Captain of the Duffy String Band. Among the String Bands, Colleen is the only mother who is also a musician marching behind her son as Captain. Colleen shares the heartbreaking, and ultimately heartwarming, story of the sudden loss of her husband, Duffy's former Captain Ted Kudrick, in October 2017, which led to Jake becoming the youngest

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00:11:31

Episode 16 - Moms of Mums: Paula Tilley

String Band Sessions ·

2025/11/07

Our next guest in our new "Moms of Mums" series, where Jim Donio chats with the mothers of String Band captains, is Paula Tilley whose son Austin is Captain of the Aqua String Band. Paula was actually the inspiration for this series after she posted photos of Austin on Facebook with the caption..."I just love watching you do what you love!" Of course, we had to explore how much a mother's support and encouragement means to their children as String Band leaders.

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00:12:41

Episode 15 - Moms of Mums: Joann Walton

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/31

Our next String Band Sessions podcast series is entitled "Moms of Mums," where Jim Donio will be chatting with the mothers of string band captains. The love, support and pride that mothers give to their families is like no other. When it comes to the Mummers, you may find a mom who enthusiastically cheers from the sidelines or at home, takes care of everyone with food and drink, pushes props as a marshall, makes costumes and sets, or is a marcher or musician herself. Our first guest is

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00:43:25

Episode 14 - How Are the String Bands Judged?

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/10

Episode 14 of String Band Sessions podcast is a Special Episode that answers the question..."How Are the String Bands Judged?" Host Jim Donio speaks with Judging Committee Chairman Louis Speziale, who delivers a master class in the current judging process, as well as reliving his experience in real-time following the 2025 Parade that resulted in an unprecedented tie for 1st Prize between the Quaker City String Band and the South Philadelphia String Band. Lou also shares some of his

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00:46:24

Episode 13 - Putting It Together: John Wernega

String Band Sessions ·

2025/10/03

Episode 13 of String Band Sessions podcast continues our series "Putting It Together" as host Jim Donio chats with experts about how they contribute their unique talents to help the bands complete their productions. In this episode, masterful arranger John Wernega shares his musical journey as a veritable "one man band." We learn about his early string band career as a member of the Broomall String Band and the Polish-American String Band, and how he came to weave together the

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00:29:55

Episode 12 - Putting It Together: David Rigler

String Band Sessions ·

2025/09/26

Episode 12 of String Band Sessions podcast continues our new series "Putting It Together" as host Jim Donio chats with experts about how they contribute their unique talents to help the bands complete their productions. In this episode, costume and set designer David Rigler shares his professional background and experience bringing his visions to life for many Mummers groups. We get to see glimpses of his work, including Hegeman String Band's 2013 "Just Imagine" and Aqua

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