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Step 1
Meet with school officials and arrange for the use of the school’s facilities, music libraries and large instruments such as tubas, percussion equipment and music stands that individual band members would be unlikely to own.
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Step 2
Arrange a meeting with your community’s parks and recreation department to help promote and sponsor a community band. Initial costs would be minimal, but when the band gains momentum and popularity, financial support will be needed to help buy new music and equipment.
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Step 3
Take a survey of current elementary, middle and senior high students to see how many parents participated in music programs when they were in school.
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Step 4
Send a letter to those parents encouraging them to attend an informational meeting. Also talk to faculty members who may have been musicians and ask them and any friends they have who may be former players to attend the meeting.
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Step 5
Contact your local newspaper, radio and television stations and ask for their support by publicizing the band. If possible, get on a local news or talk show.
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Step 6
Set a rehearsal schedule at the meeting culminating with a date for the first concert.
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Step 7
Elect officers. The band officers will be a valuable help in recruiting new band members and making sure that members attend rehearsals. The officers can also take an active roll in organizing activities and take some of the pressure off the director.
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Step 8
Encourage the better players from the school music program to help fill in slots and give them a chance to play with mature players. Don’t be afraid to have some less experienced players from both the adult or student ranks; the purpose is not to produce great music but to provide an outlet for the musicians to perform and entertainment for the community.
