Klarinet Archive - Posting 000268.txt from 1996/08

From: "Joie Canada , Jcanada713@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: new entry
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 1996 13:26:07 -0400

Have to comment on community bands--as a member, board member and librarian
of one. Communities often don't realize what a service we do. They DO miss
us if we aren't there for Fourth of July, Arts Festivals and Ice Cream
Socials, Labor Day and all the places a rock band or a symphony orchestra is
just NOT the thing. We do all the usual stuff--marches, show music,
transcriptions, modern stuff (which is sometimes very well recieved!) Still,
the community does not always recognize the work we do, and even mix up our
name, so we find we are always working on publicity to make sure we are
known, because people sure write to the paper to complain if we aren't there!
It is a great feeling to be able to bring live music to rest homes,
community functions and festivals all over the area. We get the fun of
continuing to play even though we all have "real" jobs and they take up a lot
of our time and energy, but the fun we had when we played in school we can
continue to enjoy and share with others. I've played in opera orchestras and
symphonies, done street busking and played in small groups all over for years
but the community band is still the most fun! We have players who are just
great--professionals who play with us to give back to the community or just
for fun--and we have players who are pretty rusty when they start and have to
really scramble to get up to our standard. Still we don't have auditions--we
let people audition us--they know if they can cut it or not--these are
grownups, after all. Even so, we sometimes have some pretty awful players
but they learn and grow or they drop out. Community bands are real people
playing real music for the folks who we know appreciate us. Get out there,
you folks, and join us!

Joie