The community band that I'm a part of has grown too popular for it's own good. And as baby boomers find they have more time because the kids have left the nest, we have more and more applicants. Our concert band is something over 60 musicians and the adjunct jazz ensemble has waiting lists and still has ten saxes; we were at thirteen at one time!
So almost two years ago I set out to split the jazz ensemble to two bands. This was no trivial task as I had to find a whole new rhythm section and some new bones. Then there was the practice venue, band name, director, and approval. But the outcome would be a band where players got more chance to play in a correctly sized band, performing more solos, and get more individual attention. I thought it was a slam dunk. The first year we tried to sell it to the members it was voted down.
Why! Well there were a number of concerns. First and foremost, very few people wanted to be in what was considered the B band. Even if they, most are late bloomers, would never be able to do the funk and harder jazz pieces any justice, they didn't want to move to an 'easier' band. I tried to sell the aspect of leadership opportunities, playing some really good charts, and specializing in Big Band music. No deal.
Then as it looked like some of our best players were considering moving on, I tried again this year to sell the idea of two jazz bands. But this time, it wasn't my idea. It was the jazz program director's and band president's idea. With these too very popular and sharp promoters we got a grudgingly-allowed green light to move forward.
To be sure, there are some really unhappy people who will be asked to be in the Big Band vs. the Jazz Ensemble. But I think we have a chance to make this work. And as the events coordinator, I know there are plenty of gigs for both bands. I consider this effort to be a huge step forward and wonder about some of y'all and the stories you might have about starting up a quartet/quintet, community band or orchestra, and the like.
So almost two years ago I set out to split the jazz ensemble to two bands. This was no trivial task as I had to find a whole new rhythm section and some new bones. Then there was the practice venue, band name, director, and approval. But the outcome would be a band where players got more chance to play in a correctly sized band, performing more solos, and get more individual attention. I thought it was a slam dunk. The first year we tried to sell it to the members it was voted down.
Why! Well there were a number of concerns. First and foremost, very few people wanted to be in what was considered the B band. Even if they, most are late bloomers, would never be able to do the funk and harder jazz pieces any justice, they didn't want to move to an 'easier' band. I tried to sell the aspect of leadership opportunities, playing some really good charts, and specializing in Big Band music. No deal.
Then as it looked like some of our best players were considering moving on, I tried again this year to sell the idea of two jazz bands. But this time, it wasn't my idea. It was the jazz program director's and band president's idea. With these too very popular and sharp promoters we got a grudgingly-allowed green light to move forward.
To be sure, there are some really unhappy people who will be asked to be in the Big Band vs. the Jazz Ensemble. But I think we have a chance to make this work. And as the events coordinator, I know there are plenty of gigs for both bands. I consider this effort to be a huge step forward and wonder about some of y'all and the stories you might have about starting up a quartet/quintet, community band or orchestra, and the like.