Posted by TubaDave on July 05, 2002 at 14:27:43:
In Reply to: july 4th gigs posted by Mark McMahon on July 04, 2002 at 20:19:18:
Yes, community bands are alive and well in Iowa. In fact, if one had the time and motivation, one could participate in rehearsals and band concerts just about every day (or night) of the week in this part of the state! Last night I played in a community band concert in Washington, Iowa. The band director is Norm Brooks (also a tuba and trombone player) from Crawfordsville, Iowa. Norm has been putting together the programs and directing the band for at least the last ten years (since I've been in the area). We played some of the patriotic favorites. The weather was not too warm, no insects and a good sized audience. The local community avidly supports their local band. Sometimes other events on the town square are performed in conjunction with the weekly band concert. It's great fun to play in this type of group, where there is only one rehearsal and then a concert a couple of nights later. One gets to play alot of good music over the course of a summer.