Q. When/where are rehearsals?

A. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings at the Gulfport Senior Center at 5501 27th Ave S. in Gulfport.  The Jazz Band rehearses first from 4:00 to 5:45.  Then the Concert Band rehearses from 6:00 to 8:00 and includes a brief break.

​​

Q. What's your rehearsal and concert schedule?  

A. We have 3 "seasons":  Fall, Winter and Spring. 

Fall season begins in early September for 14 weeks.  On the first Sunday of November we do an outdoor "combo concert" with Concert and Jazz bands.  Our V-Band performs outdoors for Veterans Day.  There are two Christmas concerts in mid-December for the Concert Band.

​​

Winter season begins in early January, also for 14 weeks  About 7 weeks later we do an outdoor combo concert.  There are two Spring Concerts at the end of the season (mid-April) for the Concert Band.

​​

Spring season begins around late April/early May for 10 weeks and ends with a concert at the end of June for the Concert Band.  Our V-Band performs outdoors for Flag Day.

​

There are 3 ensembles: 1) Concert Band, 2) Jazz Band, 3) Flute Choir.  Each with their own director and all ensembles start/end their seasons as described above.  Each ensemble creates its own concert schedule.  The schedule above is for Concert Band (and includes the Jazz Band for a "combo concert").

​​

See our calendar for further details.  

​

Q. Are you off for the rest of the summer then?

A. We may offer a "Workshop" for the first 4 weeks in August which covers more in-depth skill building.  It may include a jump start on a more difficult piece for the Fall season.

​

Q. Where do the bands perform?

A. Concert and Jazz Bands perform in Gulfport in the Casino (when open), the Hickman Theater, the Pavilion at Clymer Park and at the Town Shores Auditorium (which is private).  The Jazz Band and Flute Choir do concerts at various locations around the Pinellas area.  We also have a V-Band is comprised of volunteers from the Concert Band which are able to attend Gulfport's patriotic event.  ​​

​

Q. Does it cost to be a member?

A. Yes, it's usually between $30 - $40 per season each for the Concert and Jazz Bands.  This goes towards the purchase of music and other band expenses.  It's also a charitable contribution.

​​

​Q. Do I have to buy a uniform?

A. No but we usually have color requirements such as "White shirt, black pants" for an indoor concert; "Red or Green shirt, black pants/skirt and festive accents" for Christmas; Hawaiian shirts or "jewel tone" solid color shirts for outdoor concerts.

​

Q. How good do I have to be?

A. If you can be in the Florida Orchestra - we welcome you with open arms!  ;-)

Otherwise, you need to be able to read music while playing your instrument.  If you haven't played for some time, this can be an opportunity to "shake off the rust" and you might surprise yourself!

​

Q. Is the music boring?

A. We like to perform a variety of styles for each concert - usually music people have heard of and enjoy.  We may include something "American", a ballad, something Latin, a popular medley, a rock or jazz song, something classical, a march.  And we may also do songs you may not have heard -- which helps improve your skills!

​​​

Q. How hard is the music?

A. The pieces usually range from a grade 1 to grade 3.  Or in other words, "easy", "medium easy", "medium".

​​

Q. Can I sit in a rehearsal to see if it's right for me?

A. Absolutely!  There are plenty of chairs, so come down to a rehearsal and see how we operate.  Maybe you'll think it's right for you and want to join!