join the BRFB... |
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No Audition Required!
Open to all wind
players, brass, percussionists, and string bass players! We are a
diverse group of musicians who gather to develop our musicianship
skills and perform for LGBT and other events.
Our members
have a wide range of skill levels. We play concert band literature,
marching band literature, popular music, classical, early music,
20th century compositions, holiday tunes, jazz, and more! Join us at
a rehearsal to see what we are all about!
If you are planning to join us at rehearsal as a new member,
please email
tommy@brfb.org so we can have music ready for you. |
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frequently asked questions
WHEN DOES BRFB REHEARSE?
The Blazing River Freedom Band rehearses every Wednesday evening
from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Rehearsals are held at Franklin Circle Christian
Church, 1688 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113. Enter through the door
on Fulton marked “Office”
DO I HAVE TO READ MUSIC OR HAVE PERFORMING
EXPERIENCE?
We do prefer that you have a basic background in reading music. We
do have members at all levels of performing. Some merely played in
high school, some are professional musicians. Others learned to read
and play music when they joined the band. Most of us come to the
band with a high school level of playing ability. We do our best to
accommodate everyone and make sure everyone is having a good time.
I HAVEN’T PLAYED IN A WHILE. IS THAT OK?
Most definitely. Many of our members had not played for years, some
for decades when they first joined. You will find that playing your
instrument is much like riding a bike. It will come back to you very
quickly. We have plenty of resource material available to new
members to get them reacquainted with their instrument.
IS THERE AN ATTENDANCE POLICY?
In short, yes. However, we realize that everyone has constraints on
their schedules, and making it to every single rehearsal can
sometimes be a bit unrealistic. All we ask is that you contact the
director if you are going to miss or be late to a rehearsal.
Excessive absences make it difficult for the member to be fully
prepared for a performance. It is up to the director if a member has
missed too many rehearsals to perform an event.
ARE THERE ANY COSTS TO BEING INVOLVED?
Membership dues are an important part of our budget. Dues are
currently $10 per month, or just $100 if you pay for the entire year
by the end of February. New members are exempt from dues their first
month of membership. Other costs that you would incur would be the
purchase of the BRFB polo shirt for marching band participants,
travel and accommodations costs for optional out of town
performances, and registration fees for LGBA conferences. Many of
these are optional opportunities, and scholarships are available for
those in need.
While we rely on membership dues to help pay our bills, we do not
want to exclude talented, dedicated musicians because of inability
to pay dues. Please communicate with our Treasurer or President if
finances are an issue. No one will be turned away because of
inability to pay dues.
HOW MANY PERFORMANCES DOES BRFB DO EACH
YEAR?
It varies, however we usually do two concerts (one in spring and a
holiday concert in December), as well as a few Pride parades
throughout June. Cleveland Pride is one of our most visible
performances, but we have also traveled to perform with our fellow
LGBA bands in their hometown Pride parades in Indianapolis,
Cincinnati, Columbus, Chicago, Rochester, and Lansing. These are all
optional performances, and as a member, you can be as active as
you’d like performing with some of these other bands. Many of them
invite us every year, so you will soon have friends in bands all
across the country!
I DON’T PLAY AN INSTUMENT, BUT WOULD LOVE
TO HELP. IS THERE A PLACE FOR ME?
ABSOLUTELY!! We are always looking for volunteers to help out with
designing programs or flyers, aiding us the day of a performance by
being an usher, carrying a banner in a parade, keeping us hydrated
during a parade, etc. We are also looking to have a color guard for
our marching band. Anyone interested in any of these should contact
the President.
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