Community Bands

rdt1959 · 11-12-2003, 09:19 AM

I am starting my search for a community band in my little corner of Georgia. The main problem is that I live an hour from Atlanta, an hour from Macon, and 90 minutes from Columbus.

Still, with all the little towns down here there should be SOMETHING in the area!

Just curious to know if any of you have found yourselves in this position. Wanting to play in a community band/orchestra but not having any options close to home? What did you do? How far do you have to go to rehearse/perform?

Just curious. Thanks.

Tootsall · 11-12-2003, 09:37 AM

A suggestion, Dick. Try phoning the local high school (s) and ask for the music teacher. They will certainly know what is available in the area.

dizforprez · 11-12-2003, 02:18 PM

Where are you from? if you tell me the city might be able to give you some ideas...

from the time to major cities you put down it sounds like you are in the area of GA i grew up in....

rdt1959 · 11-12-2003, 03:03 PM

I live in Griffin, GA. I would be willing to drive to another town, but a hour drive seems a bit long (I would do it if I had to though).

I had not thought of calling the local music directors. I will try that!

:)

dizforprez · 11-12-2003, 03:13 PM

I grew up in Thomaston...I think griffin has a band you can play in..PM me for more info and i might be able to put you in touch with some of the local directors.

also Jonesboro has some bands, you could be there in 20 mins or so if you fly up 341.

also Barnesville was trying to start something up last year, dont know how it went.....

Jonesboro would be your best bet.

Bruce Lee · 11-13-2003, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdt1959

I am starting my search for a community band in my little corner of Georgia. The main problem is that I live an hour from Atlanta, an hour from Macon, and 90 minutes from Columbus.

Still, with all the little towns down here there should be SOMETHING in the area!

Just curious to know if any of you have found yourselves in this position. Wanting to play in a community band/orchestra but not having any options close to home? What did you do? How far do you have to go to rehearse/perform?

Just curious. Thanks.

D_i_c_k,

Try this link: http://turing.gcsu.edu/~midgabnd/gamorg.html

Looks like there are plenty of groups to choose from! :)

Good luck, D_i_c_k!

Best always,
Bruce

rdt1959 · 11-13-2003, 09:17 AM

Thanks everybody! There is some really good information here!

WUG · 11-13-2003, 09:43 AM

A good option is to play for your church, if they don't have a band, maybe play as an accompianist for the choir. If they don't have a choir, try to hook up with a few other brass players and form your own quartet/ quintet/etc. Practice some "church" hyms and music, there's plenty out there. Then approach your church to see if they would like some brass to enlighten the service. After forming a brass ensemble, and you don't belong to a church, then approach some local ones in your area. I'm sure that many pastors would consider an ensemble, especially when you do it for free; at least it gives you a venue.

Just some thoughts...

Tootsall · 12-17-2003, 10:43 PM

Hey, rdt! Did you find a place to play yet? Let us know what/where and how it's working out for you.

rdt1959 · 12-18-2003, 01:41 PM

Toots;

I have not found a community band to play with yet, but I have found leads for several in this area (i.e. within a hour drive). I definitely want to get into one after the first of the year. Frankly, I put off the hunt because this holiday season has been total chaos for me. Between my wife and I we have 6 kids, the youngest one is 18. So between Christmas shopping, getting settled into the new house and the day job, I have about 1 hour a day to practice!

Kind of a long story here, but if our church orchestra/band gets back together in January (and that is a HUGE if), that would be great, but I will still seek some other entity that is desperate enough to let me play.

There are several groups around here in Atlanta and Macon that I found on a website that was listed in an earlier reply, but they seem to be almost semi-pro in nature. I am not yet good enough to play in that type of group.

But there are options around, all I have to do is contact them really.

Anyway, thanks for asking and I will keep you posted.

11-12-2003, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
rdt1959 Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 182	Community Bands I am starting my search for a community band in my little corner of Georgia. The main problem is that I live an hour from Atlanta, an hour from Macon, and 90 minutes from Columbus. Still, with all the little towns down here there should be SOMETHING in the area! Just curious to know if any of you have found yourselves in this position. Wanting to play in a community band/orchestra but not having any options close to home? What did you do? How far do you have to go to rehearse/perform? Just curious. Thanks.
	__________________ Dick Taylor Georgia Comeback Player Benge 65B

11-12-2003, 03:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
rdt1959 Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 182	I live in Griffin, GA. I would be willing to drive to another town, but a hour drive seems a bit long (I would do it if I had to though). I had not thought of calling the local music directors. I will try that! :)
	__________________ Dick Taylor Georgia Comeback Player Benge 65B

11-13-2003, 09:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
rdt1959 Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 182	Thanks everybody! There is some really good information here!
	__________________ Dick Taylor Georgia Comeback Player Benge 65B

11-13-2003, 09:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
WUG New Friend Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando,FL Posts: 6	Try Playing For a Local Church A good option is to play for your church, if they don't have a band, maybe play as an accompianist for the choir. If they don't have a choir, try to hook up with a few other brass players and form your own quartet/ quintet/etc. Practice some "church" hyms and music, there's plenty out there. Then approach your church to see if they would like some brass to enlighten the service. After forming a brass ensemble, and you don't belong to a church, then approach some local ones in your area. I'm sure that many pastors would consider an ensemble, especially when you do it for free; at least it gives you a venue. Just some thoughts...

12-18-2003, 01:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
rdt1959 Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 182	Toots; I have not found a community band to play with yet, but I have found leads for several in this area (i.e. within a hour drive). I definitely want to get into one after the first of the year. Frankly, I put off the hunt because this holiday season has been total chaos for me. Between my wife and I we have 6 kids, the youngest one is 18. So between Christmas shopping, getting settled into the new house and the day job, I have about 1 hour a day to practice! Kind of a long story here, but if our church orchestra/band gets back together in January (and that is a HUGE if), that would be great, but I will still seek some other entity that is desperate enough to let me play. There are several groups around here in Atlanta and Macon that I found on a website that was listed in an earlier reply, but they seem to be almost semi-pro in nature. I am not yet good enough to play in that type of group. But there are options around, all I have to do is contact them really. Anyway, thanks for asking and I will keep you posted.
	__________________ Dick Taylor Georgia Comeback Player Benge 65B

11-12-2003, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	A suggestion, Dick. Try phoning the local high school (s) and ask for the music teacher. They will certainly know what is available in the area.

11-12-2003, 02:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
dizforprez Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,028	Where are you from? if you tell me the city might be able to give you some ideas... from the time to major cities you put down it sounds like you are in the area of GA i grew up in....

11-12-2003, 03:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
dizforprez Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,028	I grew up in Thomaston...I think griffin has a band you can play in..PM me for more info and i might be able to put you in touch with some of the local directors. also Jonesboro has some bands, you could be there in 20 mins or so if you fly up 341. also Barnesville was trying to start something up last year, dont know how it went..... Jonesboro would be your best bet.

12-17-2003, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	Hey, rdt! Did you find a place to play yet? Let us know what/where and how it's working out for you.

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