Concert band: the unsung heroes of music Everybody Geeks Out The term band geek might inspire strange images to those not familiar with the music world. How strange? That depends on the musical entertainment you’ve been digesting and your definition of band. Merriam-Webster defines band in the musical sense as “a group of musicians organized […]
Don’t Leave Your Music Behind!
I’m writing a book that I hope to publish later this year. It’s about a large section of the musician population, folks who seem to have become the underdogs of the music world: community concert bands. More Than Marches: Following Your Musical Passion in a Community Band describes the symphonic wind band experience, with the […]
Couples Who Met in Community Bands
Love is able to find us literally anywhere, including in community music ensembles. If you celebrate Valentine’s Day and enjoy learning how various couples met, this blog’s for you. Musicians can love just as much as anyone else! (And to my singleton readers: I will not judge you for defying or ignoring the holiday. Been […]
Switching Musical Gears
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 […]
Sight-Reading Tips for Musicians
My fellow musicians, you don’t have to be afraid of sight-reading. That piece of paper in front of you containing large handfuls of new notes and other little markings is not as complex as it seems. They’re the same notes you know and love, just in a different order with slightly different instructions. Most musicians […]