Frequently Asked Questions |
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When is the next concert?
Visit the Concert & Event Schedule for a complete list of upcoming performances for each group!
The Emerald City Swing Orchestra has a regular gig at the Emerald City Ballroom on the last Friday of every month. (Find the next date here)
The Emerald City Swing Orchestra has a regular gig at the Emerald City Ballroom on the last Friday of every month. (Find the next date here)
can I join a group?
Of course, that's why we're here! Each ensemble has a slightly different process for joining:
Dublin Wind Symphony – Membership is open to all players without audition. Please REGISTER HERE to join us! (All Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion players welcome.)
Dublin Metro Brass – Membership is open to all players without audition. (We do ask for a season-long commitment for those who join – this group prepares to compete at DFOB, NABBA Championships, and OBAF each year.) Register for next season here. (Brass/Percussion only)
Dublin Youth Brass Band – Membership is open to all students in grades 6-12, no audition necessary. Please visit the DYBB page for registration information. (Brass/Percussion only)
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
Dublin Wind Symphony – Membership is open to all players without audition. Please REGISTER HERE to join us! (All Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion players welcome.)
Dublin Metro Brass – Membership is open to all players without audition. (We do ask for a season-long commitment for those who join – this group prepares to compete at DFOB, NABBA Championships, and OBAF each year.) Register for next season here. (Brass/Percussion only)
Dublin Youth Brass Band – Membership is open to all students in grades 6-12, no audition necessary. Please visit the DYBB page for registration information. (Brass/Percussion only)
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
how Do I Get Started?
Dublin Wind Symphony – Please read through the FAQ’s so you have an understanding about the makeup and requirements of the DWS. Then, you can register to attend a rehearsal.
Dublin Metro Brass – A [British-style] “Brass Band” is different from a Concert Band or Wind Symphony, and includes only these instruments: Soprano and Bb Cornet, Flugelhorn, Eb Tenor Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Trombone, Eb and Bb Tuba, and Percussion. (If you have experience with any brass instrument, you may be comfortable switching to learn a new part!) Read through the information on the Metro Brass page and fill out the registration form if you are interested in joining. The band manager will get in touch with you.
Dublin Youth Brass Band – Traditional brass bands use the specific instrumentation listed for Dublin Metro Brass above. DYBB is a little more flexible with bringing in students on their current school instrument to start. Part of the learning process may include transferring to a new instrument or learning to read a new clef when students are ready. Please visit the DYBB page for registration information, or email director Amy Bliss with any questions you may have!
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
Dublin Metro Brass – A [British-style] “Brass Band” is different from a Concert Band or Wind Symphony, and includes only these instruments: Soprano and Bb Cornet, Flugelhorn, Eb Tenor Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Trombone, Eb and Bb Tuba, and Percussion. (If you have experience with any brass instrument, you may be comfortable switching to learn a new part!) Read through the information on the Metro Brass page and fill out the registration form if you are interested in joining. The band manager will get in touch with you.
Dublin Youth Brass Band – Traditional brass bands use the specific instrumentation listed for Dublin Metro Brass above. DYBB is a little more flexible with bringing in students on their current school instrument to start. Part of the learning process may include transferring to a new instrument or learning to read a new clef when students are ready. Please visit the DYBB page for registration information, or email director Amy Bliss with any questions you may have!
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
Do I have to be a Dublin resident to join?
Nope! The Dublin Community Bands welcome members from Dublin, the Greater Columbus area, and any of the surrounding communities. If you can drive here, you belong here.
How much does it cost?
The participation fee for each “year” (August-July) is $50 per member. Dues go directly to the Community Bands Organization to fund things like sheet music purchases and rentals, equipment, venue rentals, instrument transportation, and contest fees. Dublin Community Bands is a 501(c)(3) entity.
Multiple Ensemble Discount:
If you participate in more than one ensemble in any year:
$50 for the first ensemble
$30 for each additional ensemble
Family Discount:
If you have more than one family member participating in the same ensemble:
$50 for the first member
$30 for each additional member
Student Discount:
$30 for each ensemble
Multiple Ensemble Discount:
If you participate in more than one ensemble in any year:
$50 for the first ensemble
$30 for each additional ensemble
Family Discount:
If you have more than one family member participating in the same ensemble:
$50 for the first member
$30 for each additional member
Student Discount:
$30 for each ensemble
What are the age limits?
Musicians of all ages are welcome, from students to the most “seasoned” of veterans. Community members, music educators, college students, high school or even exceptional middle school students can participate!
Middle school students are asked to submit a recommendation from their school band director or private teacher, and to carefully consider with their parents what it means to commit to an outside performing group. School responsibilities should always be a student’s first priority.
Middle school students are asked to submit a recommendation from their school band director or private teacher, and to carefully consider with their parents what it means to commit to an outside performing group. School responsibilities should always be a student’s first priority.
How do I know if I am good enough to join?
Dublin Wind Symphony – There are no individual auditions and the band is open to all who have a firm commitment to participate and a desire to perform to the best of their abilities. We suggest you bring your instrument to a Monday night rehearsal and sit in with us to try it out. After a couple of rehearsals you should be able to determine if you and the band are a good fit.
Dublin Metro Brass – There are no individual auditions, and the band is open to all who are interested. This group is a “Community Band” and “Competition Band” hybrid – preparing competition repertoire requires a more rigorous rehearsal schedule and a commitment to individual practice. If you are interested, sit in during a rehearsal to see if you’re up for the challenge!
Dublin Youth Brass Band – This is a learning ensemble! Two years of experience with school band or private lessons is a good basic guideline. If you're not sure about being ready, email director Amy Bliss for more information! Participating in a summer session can also serve as a good preview for the longer Fall and Spring seasons.
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
Dublin Metro Brass – There are no individual auditions, and the band is open to all who are interested. This group is a “Community Band” and “Competition Band” hybrid – preparing competition repertoire requires a more rigorous rehearsal schedule and a commitment to individual practice. If you are interested, sit in during a rehearsal to see if you’re up for the challenge!
Dublin Youth Brass Band – This is a learning ensemble! Two years of experience with school band or private lessons is a good basic guideline. If you're not sure about being ready, email director Amy Bliss for more information! Participating in a summer session can also serve as a good preview for the longer Fall and Spring seasons.
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Membership in these groups is by audition/invitation only. Please visit the band pages for director contact information.
How will seating be determined?
Seating for the bands will vary from ensemble to ensemble.
Dublin Wind Symphony – chairs are rotated and determined by the director and section leaders. Members of a section could rotate parts from concert to concert and even from piece to piece within a concert. Everyone can benefit from playing different parts, and there should be a good distribution of strong players across every part. This rotation enhances the balance of the group, and listening skills will improve as players gain a different perspective. This policy should establish an atmosphere of cooperation, learning, and encouragement so that we create a quality musical experience for all.
Dublin Metro Brass – Placement and Solos are determined by the director for the benefit of the whole band. In the event of high enrollment, it may be necessary to rotate players in and out between pieces to adhere to competition regulations for instrumentation.
Dublin Youth Brass Band - Students will be placed into the section that best matches their ability level. DYBB is a unique program that allows students to rehearse side-by-side with mentor musicians from Silver Band and Metro Brass as they learn new music (sometimes on a new instrument!).
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Placement is determined by the director
Dublin Wind Symphony – chairs are rotated and determined by the director and section leaders. Members of a section could rotate parts from concert to concert and even from piece to piece within a concert. Everyone can benefit from playing different parts, and there should be a good distribution of strong players across every part. This rotation enhances the balance of the group, and listening skills will improve as players gain a different perspective. This policy should establish an atmosphere of cooperation, learning, and encouragement so that we create a quality musical experience for all.
Dublin Metro Brass – Placement and Solos are determined by the director for the benefit of the whole band. In the event of high enrollment, it may be necessary to rotate players in and out between pieces to adhere to competition regulations for instrumentation.
Dublin Youth Brass Band - Students will be placed into the section that best matches their ability level. DYBB is a unique program that allows students to rehearse side-by-side with mentor musicians from Silver Band and Metro Brass as they learn new music (sometimes on a new instrument!).
Dublin Cornet Band, Dublin Silver Band, and Emerald City Swing Orchestra – Placement is determined by the director
What if I don’t have an instrument?
A limited number of high-quality brass instruments are available for members of competition bands. For other groups, we are developing partnerships with both Rettig Music (6321 Sawmill Rd., Dublin) and Buckeye Brass & Winds (7445-A Montgomery Dr., Plain City) to create an adult instrument rental &/or step-up program.
Percussionists will be responsible for providing their own sticks/mallets, but other percussion instruments will be provided at the rehearsal sites.
Percussionists will be responsible for providing their own sticks/mallets, but other percussion instruments will be provided at the rehearsal sites.
What if I have an instrument but it needs repair?
Both Buckeye Brass & Winds and Rettig Music offer extensive service in instrument repair and replacement. Both are strong supporters of the Dublin Music community and would be happy to help you get your instrument concert ready.
Can I donate AN instrument (and is that tax deductible)?
We appreciate receiving any instruments in good to excellent condition. Every instrument received by the organization will be valued and used by a band member, or if it duplicates one we already have it will allow us to acquire other needed instruments. We would encourage you to consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your donation. Dublin Community Bands is a 501(c)(3) entity.
What are some benefits for having Dublin Community Bands?
• Volunteer musical organizations provide an important musical, social, and creative outlet for amateur musicians, and serve as a telling indicator of the cultural richness of a community.
• It provides a meaningful participatory musical, social, and creative experience for musicians of all ages and of all skill levels.
• Community musical organizations can serve as ambassadors for the city, demonstrating Dublin’s cultural depth to potential residents, businesses, and visitors.
• A community band provides a medium by which world-class musicians can be brought into the community to perform as guest artists.
• Performances and festivals by community musical organizations draw non-residents to the city, helping fill hotel rooms, restaurants, and other retail establishments.
• It provides a meaningful participatory musical, social, and creative experience for musicians of all ages and of all skill levels.
• Community musical organizations can serve as ambassadors for the city, demonstrating Dublin’s cultural depth to potential residents, businesses, and visitors.
• A community band provides a medium by which world-class musicians can be brought into the community to perform as guest artists.
• Performances and festivals by community musical organizations draw non-residents to the city, helping fill hotel rooms, restaurants, and other retail establishments.
How is a brass band different from other bands?
As the name implies, there are no woodwind instruments in a Brass Band - a very specific set of brass instrumentation is used along with a percussion section. Brass Bands have a rich history, deeply connected to to the communities where they form, and championship competition is a vital part of the artistic experience. Learn more at this link: What is a Brass Band?
