HADDAM, Conn. -- A Haddam retired teacher is combining his love of music with his desire to help people with special needs.

Norman Hanenbaum is the leader of the band of musicians, the Alleluia Players. For the past 20 years he has been picking up the musicians across the state.

"I live in Haddam and I go all the way to Manchester, and then I make the route all the way through Hartford, Newington and New Britain," he said.

Hanenbaum said the band's musicians all have special needs. Several of the members are visually impaired and several have mental dysfunctions and learning problems, according to .Hanenbaum

Despite their challenges, Hanenbaum said he recognized that they each had a talent for music and invited them to join the band.

"I got the group together and said, 'Guys, we're going to go out and we're going to play and we're going to entertain," he said.

The group has been together since the 1980s.

Hanenbaum said he has possessed a love of music throughout his life.

"I graduated Hartt College of Music and I taught in Wethersfield for eight years," he said.

He led the high school band in the 1960s, but then decided to focus on special education, using music as a teaching tool.

He helped form the original Alleluia Players in the 1970s with his father, Joseph Gengras. The father-and-son team's goal was to highlight the abilities of the disabled.

"I became musical director of the show and we did eight shows all together. … There was no outlet for these people. There was no place where they could perform, be heard, be seen, and in addition, hear applause. That's so important to all of us," he said.

He said the band's current eight members thrive on performing.

"Being in the band lets you feel like you're doing something and it makes you feel like you forget about your disability," said Kenny Davis of the band.

Cathy Wright Davis echoed the sentiment.

"It gives you an opportunity to let the community know that you can do things," she said.

Hanenbaum, who has also volunteered his time to the Connecticut Special Olympics for 30 years, has brought his band to some of the world's most elite venues.

The band performs about 20 shows per year.

"They have enough musical ability to sing on pitch and come in and do harmony as well," Hanenbaum said. "I think a lot of people who are, who do not have a handicap probably couldn't measure up to some of the voices I have or sing harmony."

The group has performed in Toronto, at Carnegie Hall and at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Most of its shows are performed locally, however.

"We're doing a gig Oct. 13 at Macy's Department Store in Milford from noon to 2 p.m.," he said. "We have a few Christmas gigs. Each year we do the Elmwood Community Center, we play there. We go to Waterbury, we go up to Willimantic."

All of the group's traveling is done in a big blue van purchased by Hanenbaum.

"He is a tremendous person," band member Mike Robinson said of Hanenbaum. "I really can't say enough about him. … I just love him, as we all do."

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