“Music is a universal language, a part of culture everywhere – a beautiful thing.” Those words came from local musician Marko Santoy.

Sitting around the comfortable kitchen table in the Santoy’s home just northwest of Mineola, Marko and his brother Eduardo were sharing their thoughts about music, the Lake Country Symphonic Band and the community that is Mineola.

 Particularly noteworthy was the fact that the two brothers are young – Eduardo is just 33 years old and Marko 30. Despite this youth, the two represent some of the magic of the city of Mineola and Wood County in general.

That magic stems from young folks who are born and raised here, and unlike youngsters in many other small towns, do not flee the area, but rather remain to contribute to the social fabric which makes Mineola, Mineola.    

The brothers grew up not far from Lake Holbrook, the sons of Anna and Refugio Santoy.

“Our parents were always very supportive of us,” Eduardo remarked, “and we love them so much.”

That comment explains a lot about the upbringing which shaped the brothers. A look at the multitude of family photos covering the walls of the dining area in their home also speaks to a close-knit, proud and supportive environment.

Separated by three grades as they progressed through Mineola Schools – Eduardo is class of 2009, Marko class of 2012 – both had a fascination with music and excelled in the band program.

Eduardo played the euphonium – a low-brass instrument very similar to a baritone – while Marko took up the French horn. Their time at Mineola preceded the long run of success the band program has recently achieved. They both expressed regret that they had not been part of that success, but each still greatly valued the scholastic music experience.

One thing became clear to them both, music had become a part of their lives. Eduardo blazed the path forward. He earned an associate’s degree in music at Tyler Junior College and then a bachelor of arts in music education at Stephen F. Austin University.

The brothers explained the strict requirements of the collegiate music programs, and each confided that they likely reached their peak of musical skill on their instruments during their collegiate studies.

“We learned so much from the music study,” Eduardo explained, “the history, the theory, the mechanics and especially the exposure to all genres.”

A year’s worth of student teaching rounded out the degree program at SFA.

Eduardo taught at Lindale schools and Marco – who followed on the same path – did his time with Lufkin schools.

Naturally, the brothers had developed their own musical tastes as they matured, and both became skilled guitarists: Marko on the guitar and Eduardo on the bass.

It followed that they must make a decision. Did music remain a main focus of their lives or do they move on? They decided to continue making music.  

They foresaw, however, that they would need capital to pursue their vision. So it was that they each pursued managerial roles in local fast food businesses. Those career paths created the needed capital but also allowed the flexible scheduling they sought.

The brothers launched ‘Say Goodnight,’ a pop-punk band with Eduardo providing vocals and bass and Marko on lead guitar. The duo has met with some degree of success in a tough, tough business.

They have made a number of tours including a Midwest tour, a California tour and a sortie to New York City. Next month, the boys will climb into their 1995 Chevy van and head south by east playing at venues in Lafayette, La.; Orlando and Miami, Fla.

By their own admission, they are making headway.

Eduardo explained that practically all their exposure is through social media, and their steadily growing fan base has made it more and more difficult to keep updating all the social media platforms. In today’s world of fine arts, that is a measure of success.

 Launching ‘Say Goodnight’ was not the only means by which Eduardo and Marko kept evolving as musicians. In 2017 the brothers approached Lake Country Symphonic Band director Mike Holbrook and arranged for a try-out. Within a few bars of musical score, Holbrook welcomed them both to the symphonic band. A lasting relationship between the band and the Santoy brothers began.

They both had reservations about fitting in with the band, but as Marko explained, “The excellent quality of the musical choices is just the right amount of challenging, and the band was just so welcoming.”

Eduardo likewise lauded the band as a group of intensely loyal musicians. About half the symphonic band is from the immediate local community and half from other communities in East Texas.

Now in their seventh year with the band, the brothers feel as though they are beginning to be ‘old hands’ as area music directors often refer their best high school musicians to the symphonic band for that unique experience.  

On occasion director Kelly Bennette will have the Santoy brothers put down their brass instruments and contribute with their guitars. It is a unique and often unexpected touch to the performance.

Despite the wide-ranging variety of music offered by the symphonic band, it was above all else the Christmas music concert which they enjoyed the most. That admission was simply because of how strongly the crowd responds to the music, they acknowledged.

The concept of music appreciation is central to the character of both young men. Eduardo described the power of music as a “bridge bringing people together.” He admitted that playing music is not about being the best musician, but rather about appreciating the creativity that is music. And the more one plays, the more people are affected and the more music that is made.

They also represented those personality traits which are nurtured through the serious study of music. They named discipline as the foremost, and also mentioned punctuality, dedication and hard work.

“The fine arts in general are a very disciplined field,” Marko noted, and Eduardo added, “It takes discipline to dedicate one’s life to a craft.”

Fortunately for the Lake Country Symphonic Band and the community in general, the Santoy brothers also see the lasting relationships in Mineola as something worth preserving. The duo have no intention of leaving Mineola.

“It is a special place and has a special place in our hearts,” Eduardo said.

The next performance of the Lake Country Symphonic Band – the Fall Concert – will be Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.