Generations Chamber Ensemble Musician Page

Chamber Ensemble Director: Jim Garcia

Jim Garcia attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Music Education. His principal instruments are oboe, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. While attending West Chester University, he played alto saxophone in the Golden Rams Marching Band. Jim is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer... more info...

Our Musicians

The chamber ensemble is comprised of adult musicians from the community. The ensemble performs a repertoire of chamber music from the Baroque and Classical eras. Music selections are played by various combinations of instruments which includes clarinet duet/with piano accompaniment, flute trio/with piano accompaniment, flute or clarinet solo/with piano accompaniment, flute trio, clarinet trio and/or quartet, woodwind trio, and woodwind quartet.

Musician Biographies

Sandra Cowperthewaite – Pianist
Sandra began her musical career at age nine at the piano with Mr. Alex Molnar of California. Two years later she began studying the organ with Mr. Arthur Luckin, also of California. She has played the organ professionally since age twelve in Bethany Lutheran Church and First Methodist Church in California. Locally, she has played in St. Luke Lutheran Church in Dublin and is currently Music Director at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Dublin, PA. Sandra has also studied the harp under the direction of Jan Christiansen. For the past ten years, Sandra has accompanied the Pennridge Cluster Choir in Perkasie and many other local soloists. The Generations Chamber Ensemble is her latest musical endeavor.

Ginny Arana – Flutist
Ginny started playing flute in 1953 under the direction of Warren Grim, then Bert Wavrek, and continued with Joseph Blewett. Enjoying playing in groups, she was a member of the Citizens Band in Quakertown, Red Hill Band, and Ambler Symphony. Most recently she has been playing with the flute choir at First United Church in Quakertown. She also enjoys teaching flute, playing hand bells, and singing.

Peter K. Cowan - Bass Clarinet.
Pete plays bass clarinet with Generations, the Clarinetwork Quartet, and the Quakertown Band.

Director Jim Garcia (continued)

Jim is a retired Master Chief Petty Officer who spent twenty-five years on active duty in the United States Coast Guard working as an electronics technician. While in the Coast Guard, he was involved and performed with various community bands and ensembles. In 1986, he joined the Southern Maryland Concert Band and was a member of the band until 1997. During this time, he played clarinet, alto saxophone, and flute. In 1989, while assigned to Coast Guard Headquarters, he formed and managed a Coast Guard jazz band in Washington, DC. The band was comprised of volunteer military and civilian employees. In 1995, he organized and directed the Peace Chamber Ensemble that was sponsored by Peace Lutheran Church in Waldorf, Maryland. In this ensemble, he played flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, and bass clarinet. In 1998, Jim decided to make a career change and retire from the Coast Guard to attend college to major in music. He found his musical experiences to be very rewarding and resulted in his decision to pursue a career in music education. He worked on the Central Bucks High School Marching Band staff as the woodwind instructor for the Fall 2004 marching band season. He currently plays flute with the Quakertown Band. Jim’s favorite music to perform is in small ensembles. His latest endeavor was to form Generations Chamber Ensemble.