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Walton County Community Band

Name: Walton County Community Band
Address: 1308 Coy Burgess Loop, Defuniak Springs, FL, 32435, US
Telephone: (850) 419-4005

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Walton County Community Band

Walton County Community Band is a nonprofit sharing music with our growing community. We welcome all skill levels. Join us to learn, play, and grow.

05/20/2026

Who We are Wednesday

Name: Kelly Morris
Instrument: Flute

Kelly Morris has been playing flute for more than 40 years, beginning in middle school band and continuing through wind ensemble and marching band in high school before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baylor University.

From 1997–2003, she served as a middle school band director, where she loved helping grow and strengthen the band programs she worked with. After her husband, fellow Music Education major and now chiropractor, graduated and shifted careers from band directing into chiropractic care, the two moved to DeFuniak Springs and eventually opened their own practice together.

Kelly has continued performing both professionally and with local community ensembles throughout the years. She has judged Walton All-County Band auditions and has also assisted the flute section at Walton County High School.

Today, rehearsing and performing with the Walton County Community Band remains one of the highlights of her week.

05/14/2026

Happy Birthday to member Libby Morris! There’s nothing that makes Libby happier than making music. Have a great day!

05/07/2026

Thankful Thursday - Community Sponsor Spotlight

Sponsor - Morris Family Chiropractic
Level - In Kind

Morris Family Chiropractic, located in DeFuniak Springs, has been serving the local community since 2004, and under the name Morris Family Chiropractic since May 2011. The practice is owned and managed by one of our members, Kelly Morris, and her husband, Dr. Joe Morris.

Both Kelly and Joe hold degrees in Music Education from Baylor University, but Joe felt called to pursue a career in healthcare, leading them to relocate to DeFuniak Springs in 2004.

Kelly and Joe are passionate about giving back and staying connected, actively supporting the community through charitable efforts, local events, and involvement in their church.

Contact Info: 850-897- 4636 (call) 850-204-7208 (text)

05/06/2026

Who We are Wednesday

Name: Karen Hollis
Instrument: Oboe

Karen Hollis played oboe throughout her school years, including participation in All-State ensembles and music camps, before stepping away from music at age 18. After a hiatus of nearly 50 years, she returned to the instrument when her brother restored her oboe as a Christmas gift.

She now performs with several local community bands, including Emerald Coast Community Band, and values the opportunity to reconnect with music and ensemble playing later in life. Karen currently serves as principal oboe with the Walton County Community Band.

04/29/2026

Who we are Wednesday

Name: Harvey Blankenship
Instrument: Bass Clarinet

Harvey Blankenship is a 1977 graduate of Walton Senior High School. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate specializing in turbojets (jet engine mechanic), and also trained as a Rescue Swimmer/Air Crew member for the SH-3 helicopter family.

Following his military service, Harvey pursued higher education at Okaloosa-Walton Jr. College (now Northwest Florida State College) and later at Berry College in Rome, Georgia. Initially a Music Education major, he transitioned to Psychology due to hearing challenges and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science. During his time at Berry College, he also participated in the U.S. Army ROTC program.

Upon graduation, Harvey was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He completed training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and served as a Test & Evaluation Officer at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. He was also stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he contributed to the design of communication systems.

In November 1991, Harvey was medically retired from the U.S. Army due to combat-related injuries sustained during training. He returned to DeFuniak Springs, Florida, with his wife and three children. All three of his children went on to serve in the U.S. Army and now have families of their own.

Since 2017, Harvey has been a dedicated and longstanding member of the Walton County Community Band, where he currently serves as the group’s principal bass clarinet.

04/22/2026

Who We are Wednesday

Director Spotlight: Dr. Joshua Bledsoe

We are proud to celebrate a successful first year under the direction of Dr. Joshua Bledsoe. Over the past twelve months, our ensemble has greatly benefited from his leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to musical excellence.

Dr. Bledsoe is a distinguished trombonist and educator who currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Walton County School District. His professional background is extensive, having toured with the internationally recognized Presidio Brass and served as the Principal Trombone for the Missouri Symphony Orchestra.

With a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University, Dr. Bledsoe’s career highlights include a solo debut at Carnegie Hall and winning the International Trombone Association Solo Competition. His experience as the former Director of Bands at Pensacola State College has been an invaluable asset to our group’s growth this year.

We are honored to have him at the podium and look forward to the music ahead.

04/21/2026

It’s Talk 2 us Tuesday!

What are some of your favorite songs you’d love to hear us perform in the future?

They can be popular, classical, nostalgic, movie themes—anything!

Drop your suggestions in the comments below and help us build our next setlist!

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from the Walton County Community Band!

This season is all about joy, renewal, and new beginnings—a perfect reminder of the value of connection and community. We’re grateful for the chance to bring people together through music and for the support of everyone who makes our little corner of Walton County feel like home.

Wishing you a beautiful day spent with family, friends, and loved ones, however you celebrate.

03/31/2026

We had a great time playing at Last Stop Brew Vault! We’ll be back to perform at the end of June/early July.

Address

1308 Coy Burgess Loop
Defuniak Springs, FL
32435

Opening Hours

Monday

6:30pm - 8pm

Telephone

(850) 419-4005

Website

facebook.com

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