Hey music lovers!
I thought I’d go in a different direction this week and pull together some real-life examples of the potentially awesome gigs, events, and non-musical merriment you could be part of when in a community music group. This post is very personal, since I’ve created this list from my own life experiences, and while this decision may sound egotistical, I assure you it is not.
As the old saw goes, “Memories last a lifetime” – I’m just writing some of mine down. Take what you will from them.
Standing at Longmen Bridge that crosses the Yi River, near Longmen Grottoes,
an UNESCO World Heritage site that houses tens of thousands of Chinese
Buddhist carvings, about 12km south of Luoyang, in Henan Province, China.
And yes, it was a bracingly cold day in early January, 2018.
Performance Tours
I believe it takes a lot to keep die-hard travelers from spreading their wings and zipping around to all corners of the earth for exotic sights, experiences, people, and food. As a bonus for musicians, what’s not to love about traveling and getting to play your instrument for thousands of adoring international fans?
Well, as detailed in my post outlining an orchestral tour through northern China, any self-respecting realist knows there will be ups and downs with travel, depending on where you’re going. Oh sure, I made many new friends, we played exceptionally well (okay, maybe not that first gig, when jet-lag still stuck to us like marshmallow fluff), and there were lots of positive times, but there were other trips, too. For instance…
I was lucky enough to be part of the Columbia Jazz Band, a community jazz band that not only plays quite well, but also went to Europe every two years to perform in international jazz festivals. We were not unique in this respect – school and community music groups do this all the time (finances permitting), so if you did know, or if you’ve heard about it and never thought you could be part of such a cool trip, think again.
Here’s a smattering of what I experienced from 2008 to 2016 with this group:
Lake Bled, Slovenia – I realized just how much some Europeans love American jazz when it was apparent that we had achieved Rock star status. After our first set, my trombonist friend and I were the first to leave the stage, and the locals immediately inundated us, holding out copies of our CD and pens with which to sign them. This wasn’t just a few people, this was a full-on crowd. It was a surreal few minutes, especially for us wind players!
Additionally, this gig was part of Bled’s summer festival ”Bled Days,” and we witnessed one of the most amazing decorating ideas: eggshells are collected all year, then each is cut in half and filled with a candle. Then, after dark, someone (or many someones?) rows out onto the lake and sets thousands of these lighted shells on the surface of the water. Friends, it’s an amazing sight watching these little points of light gently float and spread out along the lake – I’m getting chills just writing about it!
Perugia, Italy – The Umbria Jazz Festival is host to thousands of people every year – I believe it’s one of the largest in Europe. So imagine my excitement when I see the play list for this gig, containing a fun tune called Little Big Gumbo (Victor Lopez), in which I get to improvise a solo. When I got up to the mic and stood between the two other awesome players who would share that spotlight, I saw a sea of people in the piazza. Five roads converged on this open area, and all of it was covered by a jazz-loving crowd. Soloing between those two gentlemen that evening is a treasure I’ll always keep with me.
For those readers who have no desire to improvise, I hear you. It’s nerve-wracking, and truth be told, I don’t remember if my solo was anything to truly cheer about. But hey, it was still a fantastic moment and I’ll never forget it.
Other European venues – We played at the famous Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), the exceptionally professional Wigan Jazz Festival (England), the always relaxing Jazz a Juan Festival (France), and a handful of others. We also performed at small neighborhood inns and taverns. Again, my point here is not to boast (much), but to show that if your group has the talent, gumption, and organizational skills to travel abroad for gigs, you can do it!
Local Gigs
“That’s all very nice, but I’m quite happy right where I am,” I hear some of you say from your comfortable rehearsal halls and practice rooms. Hey, it’s all good. Travel is not for everyone; certainly finances, ensemble size, and the willingness of the members are all major factors when deciding whether or not to collectively uproot yourselves for a trip.
So how does a solid group secure a unique performance opportunity when travel is not in the cards? Bring in some special guests from the outside! If a band member—or better yet, your director—has connections to local, regional, or even national talent, see if they can make a deal, provide a stipend, or otherwise make your stage a tempting diversion for your talented connection.
Here are a couple folks I’ve been lucky enough to rehearse and perform with:
Gordon Goodwin – If you’ve not heard of this 3-time Grammy winner, go Google him (when you finish reading). He’s a monster saxophonist and pianist, and has composed and arranged numerous jazz band charts of various difficulty levels. He also leads the L.A. based Big Phat Band, one of the best big bands in the industry with a couple handfuls of amazing albums to their name.
In 2014 the then director of the CJB was able to woo Gordon out here to Maryland to rehearse and perform with us. Everyone in the band was thrilled at this opportunity, and we played our asses off, not wanting to disappoint him or our audience. It was one of those nights where it felt as if we could do no wrong. It was, in a word, electrifying!
Keith Brion – This next story switches from jazz band to concert band; specifically, a recreation of a traditional John Philip Sousa band concert. I was able to meet Mr. Brion, who has guest conducted uncountable American symphony orchestras and professional bands, including most of the service bands.
The then director of the Rockville Concert Band brought him to rehearse and direct one of our themed concerts. I remember him being a quiet, yet powerful director – he never raised his voice, but his tone and words got the intended results. His Sousa program virtually transported us back 100 years, as we performed the various styles and pieces that the elder J. P. Sousa himself would have chosen.
For concerts, Mr. Brion not only wears an authentic early 1900’s military-style band director’s uniform, but he has perfected Sousa’s stage mannerisms and conducting style. I will always remember it as one of our best concerts!
Small Ensemble Gigs
I’ve found that, with a few exceptions, most small music groups (read: about a dozen players or less) have a tough time traveling or getting special guests. Also, depending on how much research your group does when deciding whether or not to accept a gig, your performance may turn out differently than expected. This doesn’t happen as much with the larger groups.
As much as I enjoy the various small ensembles that I’ve been (and continue to be) a part of, the following unfortunate scenarios have been etched into my memory:
- Directing about a dozen flutes as background music for a formal gala. After about 15 minutes, the sound of the chatting guests overwhelmed the musicians sitting right in front of me.
- Playing in a trumpet quintet for what I’m calling a “cultural” gig. The culture that was overwhelmingly represented? Urban inner city. And we were five classically-trained wind players.
- Playing in a brass quintet along a walkathon route, so that participants could hear some upbeat music to help keep them going. The frigid November wind was not our friend.
But these gigs were few and far between.
On the positive side, I’ve been able to enjoy a vast majority of gigs that were well-received, inspiring, and sometimes profitable. Also, groups that I play with annually or semi-annually are usually excellent vehicles for self-improvement.
- My Fugitive Brass Quintet has played some excellent July 4th gigs, holidays concerts, cultural festivals, and plenty of church services. We continue to expand musically.
- I was also lucky enough to direct 16 French horns (plus rhythm section) in a very cool arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody. Traditionally classical instruments rocking out with drums, piano, and bass? Damn straight!
You can do this, too. Small ensembles are great if you’re keen on growing as a musician.
Percussion Shenanigans
While playing percussion requires more skills than some people might think, being in a community band percussion section, for me anyway, has been a complete blast! However, I recommend that you always keep tabs on the condition of your equipment. Also, especially in a community band setting, be ready for the unexpected.
For example:
I helped with an amazing 15-minute set-up time for a piece requiring no less than eight different cymbals, four woodblocks, three triangles, two vibra-slaps, two brake drums, two floor toms, rain stick, and many other toys, plus all the normal percussion equipment. Curious? Windy City Holiday, by Gary P. Gilroy.
A missing suspended cymbal stand forced one member to rig up a mallet/clamp contraption off the edge of a table. Another time, a weakened suspended cymbal strap finally gave out during a roll.
From the sublime to the silly:
- Two fellow percussionists once “high-fived” with crash cymbals during a rehearsal.
- We toss candy to the wind players at the rehearsal before Halloween, every year.
- Our section tries to outdo the clarinets with goofy hats for holiday concerts.
- We have a stuffed animal mascot – a shark, a name for whom we cannot agree on.
So yeah, never a dull moment back there.
The point is: you can make your time in an ensemble as unique or boring as you want. I hope my personal memory trip has at least inspired you to check out the local music scene, if you’re not yet in a band or other group.
Seen other shenanigans?
Witnessed a colossal concert?
Have questions about this post?
Leave comments below! Thanks!