About the Band

Who we are
The Fairbanks Community Band, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation for the presentation and support of rehearsals and concerts by adult musicians who want to continue performing as a lifelong avocation and to support the musical development of members of our community. Donations to the band are tax deductible for the donors. We are supported by donations from individual and corporate sponsors, grants, and revenue from ticket sales. Participants are all volunteers and come from a wide variety of roles within the community. Most of us received our early training in public school music programs. Some of us continued to study music through college or in the military. A number of our members are active or retired music teachers in public schools, looking for a chance to play their instruments as well as lead their school groups.
What we do
We presently include three major ensembles and some ad hoc small groups formed for special occasions. The concert band (sometimes called a wind symphony or symphonic band) includes about 55 people who play woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone), brasses (trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba), or percussion (tympani, snare and bass drums, cymbals, chimes, xylophone) instruments. Our performances are drawn from the full range of the concert repertoire from marches to symphonies to popular compositions both old and new. This group meets from September into May and plays four concerts each year in a local auditorium.
The Big Band is a group of about 16 performers, typically including 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, bass, and drums. A vocalist or a guitar may be added to the basic group. The Big Band is modeled after the popular bands of the 20s-50s, many of which continue today. The history of big band music includes well known names like Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Woody Herman, and many others. The music is meant for dancing and includes swing, foxtrots, waltzes, ballads, latin styles like samba, rhumba, and tango, and a bit of jazz. The music often features instrumental solos by band members.
The Big Band is available for hire throughout the year for weddings, dances, and celebrations. The Big Band also plays occasional concerts and appears with other local performance groups. We occasionally join with the Concert Band for a combined concert. The Big Band music library is available on our web site.
The Park Band is slightly smaller than the Concert Band, and is active from May through July, playing outdoor concerts in parks or at Pioneer Park. The Park Band plays from a float in the annual Golden Days Parade. The Park Band repertoire features music more suitable for the outdoors environment than the Concert Band repertoire, but may include some of the same pieces. These two bands share a common library, which is available on our web site. Audiences often move about during Park Band concerts. Kids and families are especially welcome as are picnic lunches or snacks. Park concerts are free and informal.
Keeping up with the band
To receive announcements by email about band events, or for information about this week's rehearsals and tips on what to practice, subscribe to one or more of our newsletters. We have separate newsletters for active members of each band, and a low volume newsletter announcing concerts or other activities for the general public.
Rehearsals
All rehearsals are held at 7-9 pm at Interdecor . Which band has which day varies by season. The next rehearsal and next concert are announced on our web site and via email to anyone who requests it. The rehearsal and concert schedule for the year is published on our web site.
Performances
Our concert schedule is divided into three seasons:
  • fall -- September through mid-December,
  • spring -- mid-January through early May, and
  • summer -- roughly June through August.
Seasons roughly correspond to university and public school terms.
During the fall and spring concert seasons our home stage is the Pioneer Park Arts Center . Currently we do not charge admission for public concerts. Donations are welcome.
In addition to our concert schedule, the Concert Band provides music for graduation ceremonies of the Adult Learning Programs of Alaska, and potentially for other small schools which cannot provide their own music. We are proud to provide this community service to enhance the experience of students completing their high school education.
During the summer, the Park Band and Big Band play several outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings, 7-8 pm at Golden Heart Plaza in downtown Fairbanks. The Park Band is a regular participant in the Golden Days parade in July. The Park Band takes a break during August while the Big Band plays at the fair.
How to join
Although the bands have no formal entrance requirements or audition process, members must provide their own instruments (except for percussionists). You must be able to read music and play at a high school level or beyond. If you would like to play in any of the groups of the Fairbanks Community Band, please contact our Bandmaster by email.