I just left a concert band I’ve played with for 25 years. Naturally, I have mixed emotions. Stick with any group of people for that long and you’ll eventually get some life-long friends. I’ll miss seeing these friends on a weekly basis, but I’m also excited to (audition and, presumably) start rehearsing with a relatively young local jazz band that meets on the same night as the concert band; hence, the switch.
Choices
When dealing with community music ensembles, it all comes down to personal choice. And sometimes, what is most important to you as a musician changes over time. Now and then, you might ask yourself:
- What music styles do you enjoy playing most?
- How far are you willing to travel for a weekly rehearsal?
- Do you enjoy the company of your fellow musicians?
While I still enjoy concert band repertoire and community, it can be frustrating when handfuls of people in a band stop showing up, for various reasons. Personally, it also bugs me when musicians who’ve been playing for decades still can’t hear when they’re out of tune with everyone else, no matter what genre they play.
The other part of my specific situation is that I’ve not played regularly in a jazz band for a couple years now, and I sorely miss it. I can’t go back to the jazz ensemble I was in previously because of schedule changes, so I kept my eyes and ears open for another high-quality group on a different night.
Results
I’ve always enjoyed all the different styles a jazz band can play. Besides traditional big band charts or contemporary swing, you also get Latin, Dixieland, Rock, Funk, ballads, and others. To play these styles alongside of folks who can truly understand and produce the necessary notes and rhythms is nothing short of fantastic. I love it!
A slightly longer commute is also not a problem. How far would you drive on a weeknight to a rehearsal? I would guess half an hour is well within most people’s personal limits.
This change meant saying goodbye to some concert band brethren. No problem. It wasn’t really goodbye, it was more of a “See ya later” thing. As a bonus, the last piece I played with this concert band (quite well, actually) was Sleigh Ride, a favorite of mine. (No, I didn’t do the horse whinny.) I also happen to know half the players in the jazz band, so I’ll be cultivating these newer friendships.
New year, new band!
Have you ever switched groups like this? Was it worth it?
Do you enjoy playing or listening to different music genres?