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Community is the first word used to describe our band. The members of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, which is comprised entirely of volunteer adult musicians, donate considerable time and effort throughout the year to make the GRSB a quality ensemble. Individual practice time, weekly group rehearsals and performances put demands on the musicians’ already busy schedules, which include work, family and church activities. The band members understand the importance of contributing to the continuing music education of area high school students and the general public, and value the opportunity to do so.
Outreach to senior citizens is accomplished through offering special ticket prices, sending direct mailings to senior groups offering group discounts, as well as booking venues with sufficient handicapped-accessible facilities.
To allow us to reach as many patrons as possible, the band performs free concerts annually at the Grand Rapids Festival for the Arts. We have also performed at the Fourth of July Fireworks on the Grand.
The GRSB also has several smaller performing ensembles, including the Grand River Big Band, which performs six to eight concerts a year throughout West Michigan. Other ensembles that have played as representatives of the GRSB include the Brass Band, Flute Choir and the Bavarian Quintet Plus One.
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The GRSB strongly believes in the continuing music education of all people in West Michigan, which is due, in large part, to the number of band directors and music instructors in its membership. Maintaining memberships in educational organizations like the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association allows us to keep abreast of developments in music education.
Our Attend-A-Live program allows middle and high school band directors the opportunity to receive low cost tickets for one concert; each ticket admits a student and chaperone. This popular program offers students and their parents the opportunity to attend a quality concert band performance, and demonstrates to them that music can continue to be an important part of their lives after high school and college. In addition to the tickets for their students, middle and high school band directors receive a half-day clinic with a musician of their choice from the GRSB.
Each year the band sponsors its Youth Soloist Competition, in which one Michigan high school student will be selected based on an audition to play one piece of his/her choice with the band during its last concert of the season. As an incentive, a monetary scholarship is awarded to the winner, to be applied toward their college education.
Several outreach concerts and collaboration concerts over the last few years are proof of the band’s commitment to promotion of concert band music. Since September of 2000, the GRSB has collaborated on stage with Strike! Percussion Ensemble, Forest Hills Central High School, East Kentwood High School, East Grand Rapids High School, Cedar Springs High School, Coopersville High School, and Interlochen Academy of the Arts. These concerts not only showcase the talent of West Michigan high school students, but also inspire them to continue to reach new heights in their performances and to continue to perform at an advanced level after high school.
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