Posted by Tony Z. on July 15, 2002 at 21:06:31:
I think that one of the brightest areas of the future of tuba playing is the British style brass band. I conduct one and play in one. Both are community groups and both enjoy great popularity in our city (we actually have 4 brass bands in the area) We reach a wide demographic with more and more young people coming to concerts, and learning the instruments unique to the group. The orchestras are bloated, immovable critters that keep spewing forth the same tunes, but brass bands (and concet bands) offer different fare. There are few pro groups, but the community music making in this country is strong. The brass band movement grows stronger each year. It seems to me that this is where we are heading. There are more opportunities to play, harder parts, MORE parts (two distinct and individual parts in the BB, often divisi) If we make this move, perhaps more paying gigs can come of it.
How many of us "brass band?" (odd verb, I know)
Your thoughts..