Our Leadership Team

CONDUCTOR

Ray earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. He served as Band Director at Kirby School District 140 in Tinley Park, IL, for 32 years until his retirement in 2018. Throughout his career, he taught all facets of the program including Beginning Band, Jazz Band, and Symphonic Band. His bands consistently earned Division One rankings at every contest and festival they participated in throughout his career.

Since retiring from full time teaching, Ray remains very active in the music community as an adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician for various contests and festivals in the area. Currently, he teaches part time band in Kirby School District 140 and maintains an active performance schedule on saxophone throughout the Chicagoland area.

Ray joined the Southwest Community Band in 1988, as a member of the saxophone section and in 1989 was appointed the assistant conductor. In 2001, Mr. Forlenza became the band’s fourth conductor.

Through the Southwest Community Concert Band outreach program, Mr. Forlenza founded the SWCCB Winter Band Day for area junior high and middle school band students. The annual one-day festival is non-competitive and is open to all middle school and junior high instrumentalists. Winter Band Day provides an opportunity for all kids to experience a festival format, regardless of ability. In 2007, he initiated the SWCCB Summer Band Camp program for area junior high students. The weeklong camp is one of only a few summer band camps available to students, within the Chicago area. Both of these events have attracted nearly 3,000 students, since the program’s inception.

In 2010, Ray was the recipient of the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award sponsored by Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. In 2021, he was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from VanderCook College of Music. Ray is also a member of the Illinois Music Educators’ Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and National Association For Music Education.

PRESIDENT

John has been a dedicated member of the SWCCB for over 30 years, stepping into the role of President in 2024. A multi-instrumentalist who began his musical journey on alto sax in 4th grade, he currently serves as the band’s trumpet section leader.

Professionally, John is an accomplished Computer Scientist and IT leader with an extensive career managing large-scale software development in the Financial Services and Healthcare sectors. As President, he leverages his background as a "builder" to ensure the band has a sustainable foundation for the future.

John lives in Westmont, IL with his wife, Donna.

VICE PRESIDENT

Nancy is a retired music educator, freelance musician, and longtime Orland Park resident with a lifelong passion for music and teaching. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, along with certification in Music Education, from the University of Illinois at Champaign, and a master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum (Reading Education) from Northern Illinois University.

Nancy began playing flute in 1967 and has spent decades sharing her talents as both an educator and performer. Since retiring from teaching in 2013, she has remained active as a freelance musician for community events and church organizations while continuing to teach private flute lessons.

She is an active member of the Southwest Community Concert Band and Flute Choir, where she serves as Flute Section Leader and Board Member. Her additional musical affiliations include the West Suburban Flute Orchestra, New Lenox Community Band (Flute Section Leader), Moraine Valley Community College Flute Choir, Moraine Valley Community College Orchestra (Flute Section Leader), and Encore Community Band, where she also serves as Flute Section Leader and Board Member.

SECRETARY

Molly grew up in Chicago and began playing clarinet in 1983. Over the years, her musicianship expanded to include oboe and English horn, which she played through college, as well as tenor saxophone in various ensembles. She has performed with groups including the Northwest Chicago Symphony Orchestra, UIC jazz band and has been an active member of the Southwest Community Concert Band since 2018. Now living in Orland Park, she also serves the band as board secretary, communications and media specialist.

Beyond music, Molly spent a short but meaningful time as a high school science teacher before devoting the majority of the past 18 years to being a stay at home mom. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Arts in Education Curriculum and Instruction from St. Xavier University.

With deep Chicago roots, a lifelong instrumental background, and a genuine love for community music making, Molly brings both heart and dedication to the Southwest Community Concert Band.

TREASURER

Carolyn has been deeply involved in music since fifth grade, when she first picked up the euphonium. What began early grew into a lifelong commitment to instrumental performance through high school, college, and beyond. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she performed in both the concert and marching bands, and over the years she has continued to expand her musical abilities in impressive ways.

During the COVID pandemic, while many people were learning to bake bread, Carolyn took on a different kind of challenge and learned to play bassoon. Along the way, she has also performed baritone in brass band settings and has remained an active, accomplished ensemble musician.

Carolyn also built a long and respected career in the field of optometry as an optometrist for more than 40 years in Chicago’s western suburbs before retiring.

She has been a member of the Southwest Community Concert Band for more than 11 years and has served as Treasurer for the past seven, offering both careful stewardship and faithful service to the organization. Her musical life remains full today through her work with the Fox Valley Brass Band, Prairie Brass Band, Frankfort Brass Band, the SWCCB Brass Ensemble, and SWCCB itself.

A lifelong resident of Willowbrook, Illinois, Carolyn lives with her husband, Chuck, who is well known in the band as a volunteer extraordinaire. She is also an avid reader, an obsessive knitter, and a devoted cat owner.

MUSIC LIBRARIAN

Cheryl brings extensive musical expertise to the SWCCB. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music and has served as a career band director in School District #89 since 1987. An active Chicago-area performer, Cheryl has played with numerous ensembles, including the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra.

A member of the SWCCB since 2000, Cheryl is a vital part of our organization, serving as our Music Librarian, a Brass Ensemble member, and a dedicated instructor for our Band Day and Summer Band Camp programs.

Dr. Cindy Bennett-Valtman has been a vital member of the SWCCB since 2003, serving as both a performer in our Brass Section and an instructor for the SWCCB Winter Band Day. She holds a Doctorate degree from Lewis University, following a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Performance from DePaul University.

A dedicated educator, Cindy teaches elementary music for Coal City District Unit #1 and serves as a Music Instructor at both Lewis University and the University of Saint Francis. In addition to her work in higher education and her private studio, she has performed with the Illinois Brass Band and numerous professional ensembles across Chicagoland.

Dr. Larry Woodruff brings a wealth of diverse experience to the SWCCB, ranging from military service to executive leadership. A former member of the U.S. Navy Band, Larry holds a PhD in Music Theory from the University of North Texas, as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s from Northern Illinois University.

In addition to his musical accomplishments, Larry spent 20 years in software engineering and executive management, including 15 years with the global news organization Reuters. Now a resident of Orland Park, Larry remains an active performer in the SWCCB and the Starlighters Swing Band, while also sharing his expertise through private music instruction.

Roger Barton, a member of the SWCCB since 1992, is a seasoned educator and freelance professional with over 45 years of experience teaching woodwinds and school bands. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from DePaul University and has led public and Catholic school programs throughout Chicago, Joliet, and the south suburbs.

As a versatile performer, Roger is active in classical, rock, pop, blues, and traditional Irish music, as well as local musical theater and the occasional performance with a live old-time radio theater troupe.

A resident of Frankfort IL, he has been a SWCCB Summer Band Camp instructor since its inception in 2007 and continues to teach private lessons in flute, clarinet, and saxophone.