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| Venus de Milo, Agasandros or Alexandros, ca.100 BC |
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| Was her wish to join the Classic City Band? |
What's a Community Band? It's a band of volunteer musicians from the commmunity who perform concerts for the public.
There are some inherent problems related to this. One can best be described by a story told by the late Huey Kent, a Classic
City Band member who conducted our band as recently as our Greensboro, GA concert of 21 April, 2007. It seems that there was a community band that had the good fortune of having an upcoming concert with a prominent guest conductor.
The guest conductor was able to practice with the band through several rehearsals. He was dismayed that many of the musicians
were unable to attend all of the rehearsals. At the last rehearsal prior to the concert, he lavished praise on the concertmaster,
who had faithfully attended each of the rehearsals. She answered, "I thought it was the least I could do, since I will
be unable to attend the concert." The Classic City Band consists of volunteer members from 90+ years of age all the way down to middle school students. Members
share the love of playing music with each other for live audiences. The band welcomes all new players. There are no auditions,
chair positions, challenges or dues, though you should be at least a level 2 player. Especially welcome to play in the band
are any persons who wish to continue to improve upon previous musical experience. The band performs in the Athens, GA area
and outside of the city (but no further than 45 miles away) in nearby counties between 6 and 9 times per year. Travel is at
the expense of the individual players. Various ensembles form and have included a clarinet choir, a brass choir, a European
Polka Band, and a Dance Band. Contact either Herb Meyer (706 549 8533) or Tom Cooper (706 546 8426) for details, or come to
a rehearsal. The Classic City Dance Band is a 17 piece non-profit ensemble that features music from the 1930s through the 1960s in the
swing band tradition.
Membership in this elite organization is somewhat restricted as to play level, availability,
and need. The Dance Band is made up of members of the Classic City Band plus some other top performers from the surrounding
areas.
The Dance Band performs and operates independently from the concert band, though it follows the by-laws and
rules of the band and shares equipment. It does perform on the same venue as the Classic City Band a few times each season.
The Dance Band plays at least twice each month, performing at civic and service functions, and retirement homes in the community,
and travels more extensively than the Classic City Band. Scheduling fees are negotiable. Scheduling is handled through Herb
Meyer (706 549 8533).
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