Community Bands--Your Experiences in them?

[Woodwindswins]

I've been reading about the many active community bands that dot many cities & towns across the country,as well as the U.K. Since I've never experienced any opportunity for music during my school years,I'm thinking this would have to be the closest thing to a school band for adults.Does anyone have any stories of how they became a part of theirs? Did you have any kind of audition process? How were the personalities of those you worked with?(God forbid they should be anything like what I'm reading in these high school band threads......oy chihuahua....... :shock:)Lastly,what's the best advice to give someone who may be interested in checking them out? Blessings be to all you blowers........THANKS! :)

[Hurling Frootmig]

I play in a community group during the summer and I enjoy it (and likewise don't enjoy it) because we sight read 30 or 40 tunes I've never seen. The people are very nice and it's a great way to get in some additional playing.

If you are a newer player and looking to play easier music you might want to see if there are any "new horizon" bands in your area.

Here's a link that lists a fair amount of community bands in the U.S. http://www.acbands.org/members/orgsbystate.html

I would contact the director of the group you are interested in checking out and inquire about the group and if they have a need for your instrument. If it sounds like a match then ask if you can sit in for a night and check them out or find out if they have an upcoming concert so you can listen to them.

[Gandalfe]

I play in one of the many community bands in the Seattle area. I'm not good enough to gig regularly, although I get called in periodically because I'll play alto, tenor, or bari and there are a lot of intermediate dance bands in the area too.

I called up the band two years ago to find out how to audition and they said just show up, you're in. I like the variety of music they play from Sousa to Sammy Nestico Blues medleys. It can be hard to get a full sax section to show up, but when they do we have fun.

Now in my second year with the band I really enjoy the practice sessions and have even solo'd a couple of times. And it gives me a great reason to practice.

I say, just do it. 8)

[wainsworth]

I have found the players in the community band I played for to be very tolerant of my poor ability when I first started playing third clarinet. I have found that there are two main problems with community bands. The first is that they tend to be very unbalanced. At times there are too many trombones and at another time too many flutes and so on. In my experience with the bands there was no audition and no one turned away because a section was already filled. The other problem was that the better players were often bored with music that was too easy for them and if the conductor chose more difficult music, of course the less skillful players were frustrated. These problems seem to me to be insurmountable. Even so I love playing in a community band. Did anyone else have those experiences and what is the solution, if any?

[Woodwindswins]

You see,that would be MY fear with any band I'd try for.....that the players who've been down the beaten path & back would be muttering under their breath & rolling their eyes at those who were encountering a brand new world of sorts,so to speak.I would think that those who were helpful,warm & encouraging would be in short supply out there.I think that most people who know the route with their instrument want to forget what it was like when they first were placed with a music teacher,or with a band.Memories are short that way..............

[Hurling Frootmig]

A lot of the players I've enountered are either music teachers playing for fun, former music majors playing for fun, or hobbyists looking to play with a group. The people that I'm playing with this summer are very laid back and the group has a variety of skill levels.

[Troy]

You see,that would be MY fear with any band I'd try for.....that the players who've been down the beaten path & back would be muttering under their breath & rolling their eyes at those who were encountering a brand new world of sorts,so to speak...

Go for it! I bet any players THAT good or THAT egotistical will not be in a community band. They'll be off gigging on their own...or trying to find some other way to become a star.

[Transcriber-arranger]

Concert band music was never my first love, but I played in a community band for several years. In fact, I was one of the founding members. The experience kept me in playing condition. It also afforded me the opportunity to try out my concert band arranging skills.

But ultimately, the real value proved to be networking. For 22 years I've played in a Dixieland band that was an offshoot of that community band, and through contact with various community band members, I was recruited by a big band. I've been writing for, and playing in big bands ever since.

[Al Stevens]

I'm a professional fulltime jazz musician, and I play when I can in the local community concert band. Usually I play trumpet because that's what they need most often. It's a chance to practice reading and to play time signatures other than 4/4 and 3/4. Skill levels range from mediocre to professional. Member ages run from high school students to senior citizens.

Everyone is tolerant of each other. New players are instantly welcomed.

We play about four concert programs a year and special events such as Flag Day and July 4th. We rehearse weekly.

As with any volunteer organization of this size, sometimes egos get into it, and a bureaucracy runs things. No more (less, actually) than you'd expect if you joined the PTA or got active in a condo association. Rehearsals are conducted professionally, though, and all the members respond accordingly. When the conductor is on the podium, everyone pays the proper respect and attention.

It's a satisfying experience both musically and socially. I recommend giving it a try.

[BruceW]

I too joined a community band and my only disappointment is that I didn't join sooner. It has been a great experience.

I started this whole music thing rather late in life, picking up the saxophone for the first time in my thirties. I was limited to playing at home and taking lessons. When I saw an article in the paper about a community band in Edmonton, I decided to audition. Now, in our band, everyone is welcome. The only reason for the audition is to decide where to place you. We have 3 or 4 different bands, all with different skill levels. I ended up in the middle group and have had great fun.

Good luck.

[GirardKen]

I joined a community band about 2 years ago and am now the lead tenor. After 9 yrs of playing alto and bari in grade school up through high school I put the saxophone down and didn't pick it up for almost 20 years. A music instructor from my old HS decided to start up a community band and asked me to join. We are still fledgling group, but with help from another community band in the area, we are able to get enough members to put together practices 2 or 3 times a month and a performance every 4 to 6 weeks. My wife is also in the band and plays euphonium. We also have a smaller group to make a 7 piece dixieland band that I'm very proud to be a part of. It gives me a chance to get some improvosation in which for a tenor player is very important. My community band experience is very positive. :)

[goodsax]

This thread is a bit old, but I thought I'd add my CB experiences. I'm now a member of three community concert bands and, in a way, they each have their own personality. I joined the first one by learning from a local music store that I should attend a rehearsal and complete a short info sheet about myself while there. This I did and was invitied to return the following week with my alto. It's been about eleven months now and I've been completely accepted by the rest of the group. But, it didn't happen the first couple of weeks, or even months. It took some time for me to prove myself, and I'm not sure of any specific event associated with the feeling of acceptance, but it came and now I belong.

Starting with the second band was a quite different experience. I just showed up to one of their practices and spoke with the director about my experience and background and he seemed rather skeptical, to put it mildly. But, he gave in and told me to sit in with Alto II for that evening. At the end of rehearsal, he asked if I wanted to join the band and I said of course. So, he told me to come back the following week and play Alto I. When I told him the tenor sax player was wondering if I could sit in for him the following week, he said don't worry about the tenor, I want you playing first alto. I've been with them now for about four months, and not only have I been accepted by the other band members, I've received a lot of encouragement from them in the form of compliments during and after every practice session. It's a real confidence builder being a member of this band.

The third community band was an even different entry experience. A friend of mine plays in that band and asked if I would sit in for him at second alto in their dance band ensemble because he couldn't make the gig. I did and the dance band leader asked me if I would stay on call, which I accepted. Less than a month later, the leader called and asked me to sit in for their lead tenor at a concert where both the concert band and dance ensemble were to play. I played tenor for the concert band at that gig, sight-reading the entire performance, switched to dance band in the middle where again I did a lot of sight-reading, then back to the concert band for the finish. The conductor of the concert band asked if I would like to join the concert band full time as lead tenor. I accepted, and have been accepted by the rest of the band.

So you see, each band is a bit different. How you're accepted by other members has a lot to do with the band's group culture, and by the director's leadership and attitude. Of course, it also has to do with your playing ability and whether you maintain a positive and cooperative attitude while your with the band.

I wouldn't trade my experience this past year with these groups for anything. It's been very rewarding and I've made several friends as a result of my association with each group. I even ran into someone I played in high school band with over 47 years ago. What a small world!

[Gandalfe]

Needed: sax players for the Woodinville Community Band in the Seattle area. PM me or check out the Web site in my sigline. :)

[newagain]

Well, this thread is old but I'll post my first experiance here since my post was lost when the form went down.

For me, I was over my head but the attitude was one of welcome. Seems you play what you can and try to follow along when the runs are too fast or too hard. At least thats what I did :o It was a very open excepting feeling. I noticed the people that played well naturally filed into the first chair, I was there first but knew to go to the last chair :lol:

I'm going back if nothing else to learn to sight read better and maybe in a year or so I can give something back in my playing!

[retread]

I played into college (clarinet in concert bands, tenor in dance bands), then stopped for 40 years. A couple of years ago I got the urge to play again and joined a community band that welcomes everyone and needed a tenor player. It was embarrassing for the first year, but the skills do return with effort. Then I joined a second concert band to work on clarinet. Due to players leaving, I'm now on bari in both bands, and was recently invited to join a local big band on third sax book--alto, tenor and clarinet. These guys are all older pros, and once again I'm hanging on by my fingernails, but improving.

What it's taught me:
1. Perserverance pays. The skills come, but not effortlessly.
2. Community bands can provide valuable contacts.
3. If you have a choice, DO NOT play tenor in concert bands. The parts are dull and many arrangers just use it to double third horn or bass clarinet (even to extent of leaving in notes that don't exist on sax). Bari is fun, and of course clarinet gets great, and tough, parts for all three sections.
4. Many community bands welcome everyone and will be supportive if you put effort into improvement.
5. I firmly believe you must play with others to develop your skills. And each band I'm involved with has its share of music teachers who are more than willing to give advice when they see you are eager to accept it. Willingness to learn and welcoming contructive criticism are vital.

[newagain]

Retread,

Thank you for those words, glad to see its not only me! I got pretty red faced on the first score we played but did settle down some when I realized they weren't gong to kill me :lol:

I did realize right away that this was a way for me to grow quicker than I would on my own (short of a tutor).

Now the next trama, when I showed up the director saw I was a sax and said "great! we didn't have any saxes last practice" (there were three of us this time) so I'm thinking......MAN if I'm the only sax next time I'm in BIG trouble :oops: I missed so many notes it wasen't funny!

Well, all things pass in time and I hope I feel as comfortable with my chops in a year or so as you do now.

[retread]

newagain, I hope neither of us is ever comfortable with our chops.

[goodsax]

I suspect the awkward moments never end. At community concert band rehearsal last night I used my newly acquired Antigua A590LQ sop to play the soli segment in "Slava!" and my G# key decided to stick. About 80 of our 100 member group were sitting there when I played G natural at least four times in a row where a G# was supposed to be while desperately mashing the G# key until, finally, it came open when the note was supposed to go from G# to A and it sounded like I played G, G# then A. The director noted that I had added a note that wasn't on his score. I was helpless and was not given the time or the opportunity to defend myself.

As I said, it never ends. But, I can assure that I will make sure the G# key pad is fully operational before I begin the next rehearsal.

[gary]

I suspect the awkward moments never end. ...my G# key decided to stick.
You got that right, LOL.

Last Fall the regional Symphonic Wind Ensemble I play in gave two concerts on two respective days. Early in Shostakowitch's "Waltz nr. 2", I had the main theme as a solo, complete with several G#'s. Right. I played a wonderfully modal version courteousy of a sticking G#. I also got a puzzled look from the conductor and this orchestra is not filled with musical illierates, so nothing was lost on them.

The next night as we were milling before the concert, I noticed some of my colleagues were standing over my music stand laughing as they read my newly-pencilled reminder at the top of my music:. "Check the G# key before you play, dummy!"

[saxgal58]

I'm a 9-month newbie late-bloomer and recently joined a community band here - I'd forgotten how much fun it was to play in a group (last experience was 30 years ago with the Salvation Army.......!!!) - ages range from high school players to late seniors - but we have a blast! I've learned SO much in just a few weeks - now trying to figure out how not to lose count during those 18 bar rests!!!
Just wish it was everynight!!!! Gotta find more bands!!! :o

[DeltaBlues]

I started by joining my church orchestra. I am the only sax and I'm stuck back with the low brass. However, it was a good way to get my chops back into shape. Now I'm also playing in a community concert band and stage band. Lots of saxes. I'm glad I got back in shape before being around other sax players. I've also started playing in a contemporary praise & worship band at church. It's fun. I'm playing in four different groups and each group plays a different style of music. It really challenges me, going from one group where I play by ear or transpose as I go along, to playing technical pieces where everyone has to be in sync.

[alfaniner]

... I've learned SO much in just a few weeks - now trying to figure out how not to lose count during those 18 bar rests!!!...

I've found it easier to count 1-2-3-1, 1-2-3-2 , 1-2-3-3 , etc, instead of 1-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, 3-2-3-4, because with the second way, by the time I hit "4" I've forgotten which number I started with!

[goodsax]

saxgal58: It may be old fashioned, but I keep track with my fingers; hand on thigh, starting with my index finger I count 1 - 5 with each of the fingers (& thumb) and start over again to 10, then 15, etc. I've noticed other band members doing the same.

I signed up with another community band last Tuesday night and talk about acceptance, the two tenor players I was asked by the director to join had been playing together for 30 years. When they noticed I was getting out a tenor sax to join them they pulled up a chair between them and motioned me to sit there, and they were very gracious and friendly the rest of the 2-hour practice. It was a great night, and the first time in a long time that I sat between two sax players older than me, and I'm 64.

Community bands provide a great opportunity to gain experience playing with others, improving sight-reading skills and blending with an ensemble. I wouldn't replace it with any other hobby as long as I'm able to play.

[jazzbluescat]

Community Bands--Your Experiences in them?

We haven't had a community band in seven or eight years because "we" seem to put it way down the list of priorities. Before, we always had a good group of players. Then as the older folks began loosing interest we started supplementing with students. Some of the older folks resented this and they stopped participating. Their point being the comm band was a place to play after you finished school. Needless to say we don't have a quorum, no band. The old farts. :twisted:

[goodsax]

Community Bands--Your Experiences in them?
...Needless to say we don't have a quorum, no band. The old farts. :twisted:
We have members ranging from a WWII veteran to a 12 year old oboe prodigy and all ages in-between, and I (another old fart) think we are one of the finest community bands in southern California with over 100 members. It's too bad your group didn't accept the common ground of a love for music performance in an ensemble, no matter how many years you have on this planet.

[cleger]

Nothing to add yet, but I was approached last night about playing with our local community band. I was having a session with my instructor when a guy came in to pick up a horn that was there for some work. He heard me play a bit and asked me if I was interested in joining them. I think I will check it out, particularly after reading the stories in this thread, it sounds like a lot of fun. It also would force me to improve my music reading skills, which wouldn't be a bad thing.

[spiderjames]

Any community bands in the Orlando Fl area. I did a web search but couldn't find any.

[JoshuaOneSix]

I joined a newly formed Community band 1 month ago... Love it! But as I play tenor, most parts are BBOORRINNNGGG! However, I look at it as an hour and a half "long tones" practise session. :) This has helped my chops since I'm returning to the Sax after a long hiatus.

[ClariBariGal]

Ive been playing in our community band since it turned concert from brass when i was 15, and its been a huge experience. I think at the moment the ages are from about 10 (the kids that we ourselves started teaching who are now in the band) to about 80+? with an accent on enjoyment. My clarinet students and my brother on trumpet who have been playing for about 18 months wont get all the notes all the time, but then again who does? They play what they can and absorb so much of whats going on around them musically that it doesnt matter. The adults in the band are able to play in a group thats not overly demanding at the end of the work day. And the older highschool kids like i was ended up teaching, and ebing section leaders a lot of the time, which, esp teaching, is the best experience ever. There have been conflicts etc during the time that ive been there, and we've played some horrendous gigs, but we've also made some beautiful music and had fun :)
If anybody is in Australia, near warrnambool, come n play!

[Fred76]

I played Clarinet in High School (senior year after lessons in Jr. year) Was drafted in the Army during Korean War. I started playing again after 42 years. I joined a Community Band, after being introduced to the director, and he encouraged me to join. I played Clarinet for a year, and then taught myself to play Alto Sax. I am now 76, and have been playing sax for about 10 years now. The other members of the band welcomed me and were very encouraging when I joined. I still am not pro Quality, but my tone fairly good, and I am enjoying myself immensly.

I encourage anyone who loves to play, check out the Community Band in your area.

[themusicalone]

I was looking through some posts and how some of you said that no one was turned away or the playing ability was off center.

In the community band i'm in you have to have high-school experience. Our director lets you come to rehearsal and see how you make out. If you're ok, then you get to stay. So far we haven't had any problem with too many of one section, there could be one or two less trumpets, for the sake of the saxes ears, but it's not too bad. I wouldn't mind some songs that didn't always feauture the trumpets though...

Anyway, if you come to any of our shows it says right on the phamplet to talk to our director, or you can go to our site and make a request or soemthing like that. That's only us, i gues you'll have to search around.

[Bar-Ron]

I joined our local community band 5-6 years ago and have almost gotten my high school skills back after a 30 year absence from playing. The tolerance extended to me is now something I need to practice as skill levels vary along with personal. We have the high schools music director and jhs band director rotating their superb assistance to our tutoring.
We developed a music selection committee that researches and recommends music to the directors who then select the ones they wish. This has helped strengthen the groups satisfaction in being a member.
We spun off a flute ensemble and a sax quartet(with a Bass sax).
Some of us are attempting to start a Jazz band. So far we have some good players, but need alot of work in getting consistant players.
The community band experience is as interesting in characters and diversity as high school was but actually more fun. We aren't getting graded!
I even ended up rekindling some friendships with some old friends I hadn't seen since HS Band.

Our band is involved with sponsoring a student scholarship fund that we fund with a dinner/auction/Pops concert every Spring that is held in a very Classy local country club hall. Seats 230 or so guest at tables eating and enjoying our three groups. Our local polititions have been very supportive in attending . I think the community band experience is the most fun Ive had in years and offers a great oppurtunity to help your local community too.

We are rigging a landscape trailer to hold 1/4 of the band to play in a local parade, as a float. Big pizza party and fireworks in the evening.

Timberlane Com. Band Plaistow , NH. USA.

[mountainman]

I played high school band and big band 40 years ago. I disdained the pro career for a career in engineering. Eighteen years ago a community band braught me back. We started with 7 and are now 40. We play every Thurs.night for the last 15 yeqrs for 400 peope.

Dixie is my first love followed by big band, jazz combo, and church. Community band is what holds it all together.