• To provide a premier performance group consisting of greater Grand Rapids area musicians with advanced proficiency in which the area and its musicians can take pride.
  • To stimulate continued interest and freshness in performance by participation in conferences, clinics and outreach concerts.
  • To provide innovative programming for performers and listeners.
  • To continue to promote the concept of community bands by supporting, encouraging and assisting similar groups as well as students within the state.

The Grand Rapids Symphonic Band was formed in 1978 to fulfill a need for an adult concert band in the West Michigan Community. The band presents an annual concert series of five to six concerts at various locations in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. The band has also played outreach concerts in the Muskegon, Grant, South Haven, Whitehall and Hudsonville areas. Three times the band has been honored by playing at the prestigious Midwestern Conference in Ann Arbor as one of the invited performing groups.

Barry Martin is the GRSB's current conductor. In addition to conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Varsity Bands at Grand Valley State University, he directs the University Marching Band and teaches conducting and marching band techniques. He also has numerous arranging credits and writes music performed by the GVSU ensembles.
John Stanley Ross, the GRSB's most recent former conductor and music director, pushed the band to a new level of performance. Under his direction, the band commissioned two new works, and performed with several professional guest conductors and soloists.
Under conductor and music director, Kennistan Bauman, the band grew in every facet of performance and service to the West Michigan community. One of the highlights of his tenure was the 1996 performance for the 44th Annual Convention of the American School Band Directors Association in Dearborn, Michigan.
The band's first commissioned work was The Grand Rapids Suite by Dr. John P. Zdechlik. This piece was commissioned in honor of William Root, founding conductor and music director for the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band's first ten years. The band was honored to premier the Meyer March as arranged by Dr. Zdechlik to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Meyer Music.
The band has also had many collaborations with students, including the annual Youth Soloist Competition and many shared concerts with local high school bands and wind ensembles.

 
 
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• Grand Rapids Symphonic Band 2003 • Feedback to GRSB Webmaster•• Last update 4-06-08 •