The Path to Performance
Joining the Stonewall Brigade Band is more than a musical endeavor; it is a commitment to our community's heritage and the joy of live performance.
Rehearsals
We have just under 85 people in attendance. We usually have between 55 and 60 for performances. Our members include high-school musicians who have only been playing for a few years; adults who have been playing for their whole lives; and adults who returned to instrumental music after years of not playing. Our repertoire includes music at varying difficulty levels so that everyone can have music that is challenging and music that is just fun to play. The SBB is a respectful, collegial environment in which to be an active musician!
Not feeling quite ready to play in a concert band? Consider spending time with our Prep Band that rehearses on Tuesday evenings (autumn through spring).
Join Us!
Membership in the Stonewall Brigade Band is open to any individual who is able to read music and play an instrument.
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There’s no audition required.
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All members are volunteers; there are no dues or fees.
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Members are expected to provide their own instruments. We have a limited inventory of larger instruments. The SBB has percussion equipment including sticks/mallets.
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The SBB provides music stands for rehearsals and performances. For some venues, members may be asked to bring their own stands.
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Rehearsals are held every Monday evening 7:30pm to 9pm except during the summer (this is concert season) and the month of September. Concerts run June, July and August starting at 7:30pm.
The band actively seeks adult members who were successful in their high school or college bands and youth members who are proficient players and sight-readers. The band always welcomes members in all sections.
The SBB plays music from a variety of genres and difficulty levels. Much of the music in our library was purchased at the recommendation of SBB members or given to us by generous donors. The Director welcomes suggestions from members about music to include in our performance schedule.
While we encourage perfect attendance, we would expect that a new member would attend at least two-thirds of the rehearsals in the fall rehearsal season and three-fourths of the rehearsals in the spring rehearsal season. Individuals become “associate members” upon participating in a rehearsal or concert, and become full members for life when voted upon by the membership after six months active participation by attending at least half the rehearsals during that time. Active full members have the privilege of voting in band business meetings.
Full members who do not attend at least one rehearsal during each three month period are placed on the inactive list until participation resumes with attendance at half or more of the rehearsals during a three month period. Placement within sections of the band is determined cooperatively by members of each section, under the direction of a section leader.
Prospective members can contact the band, any current band member or a board member for more information about joining. You can expect to be invited to attend a rehearsal and “give it a try for a few weeks” to see if you enjoy the band enough to make it part of your weekly routine. Most new members discover how much fun it is to play different music each week in a band filled with volunteer members who truly love making music.
Has it been a while since you played your instrument? We have refresher booklets for all instruments that you can download. They start at “the beginning” and take you through most of the range of your instrument and most of the keys used in band music, with familiar tunes that make it easy to tell when you’re right.
Support the Band
Donations
Donations to the Stonewall Brigade Band can be made by mailing a check to:
The Stonewall Brigade Band Inc.
c/o Treasurer
600 Thornrose Ave
Staunton, VA 24401
To donate to the Bob Moody Scholarship Fund please enter “Scholarship Fund” in the memo line.
Sponsorships
You or your business may sponsor one or more of our Summer concerts. A joint sponsorship with two people/businesses may sponsor the same concert for $250 each; an exclusive sponsorship is $500 for one concert. Sponsorship opportunities are for this year only, and will become available again next year. (Please note that concert titles and dates will change)
For availability please contact the band at StonewallBrigadeBand@gmail.com. You can claim a sponsorship by:
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Monetary donation
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In-kind donation, such as free advertising in newspaper, on the radio or on TV for the amount equivalent to a sponsorship
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Underwriting purchase of instruments and equipment
Secure your sponsorship by mailing a check:
The Stonewall Brigade Band Inc.
c/o Treasurer
600 Thornrose Ave
Staunton, VA 24401
Membership
There are currently around 85 active members on our rolls. We usually field about 50 to 60 players on stage at a typical concert. Our members include high-school musicians who have only been playing for a few years; adults who have been playing for their whole lives; and adults who returned to instrumental music after years of not playing. Our repertoire includes music at varying difficulty levels so that everyone can have music that is challenging and music that is just fun to play. The SBB is a respectful, collegial environment in which to be an active musician!
Not feeling quite ready to play in a concert band? Consider spending time with our Prep Band that rehearses on Tuesday evenings (autumn through spring).
New Member Information
Welcome to the Stonewall Brigade Band! We hope that you will enjoy playing with us and getting to know other local musicians.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are from 7:30-9pm every Monday evening, including most holidays. Members may arrive as early at 7pm so that they can be tuned up and ready to play by 7:30pm.
Rehearsals for the summer season begin in early January. Although it may not be feasible for everyone to have perfect attendance, the SBB does expect members to attend at least 75% of the rehearsals to ensure adequate familiarity with the music. The summer concert season begins the first Monday of June and runs though the last Monday of August.
After a break during the month of September, rehearsals resume the first Monday in October to prepare music for the Holiday Concert (usually the second or third Monday of December) and to preview music for the next summer season. Again, perfect attendance is ideal but the SBB expects musicians to attend at least two-thirds of rehearsals.
Absences
Let your section leader know as soon as possible when you will be unavailable for a rehearsal or a performance so that parts can be reassigned if needed. The section leader will inform the director if enough members of the section will be absent to impact the music selected for a rehearsal or performance.
Inclement Weather
The SBB provides information about potential rehearsal cancellations through email.
Because summer concerts in Gypsy Hill Park are under the cover of the band stand, rain is not enough to cancel a performance! If severe weather is in the forecast, the Music Director may cancel a concert out of caution for SBB members’ and the audience’s safety.
Parking
During rehearsals, parking is available in the field across the street. Because there is not a streetlight at the intersection between the field and the band room, we suggest carrying a flashlight to help you be more visible to drivers after dark.Be careful not to block cars. Do not block the entrance by parking between the light pole and the sign post. Convenient summer concert parking is behind the Stonewall Brigade Band gazebo in Gypsy Hill Park. Please do not park on any mulched area.
Music
The SBB plays music of different genres and of varying difficulty. Summer concerts may have different themes, such as Halloween in August or Broadway Shows. Music suggestions are welcome!
Rehearsals- Please be aware that the flute ensemble rehearses in the museum side before SBB rehearsal and keep noise to a minimum. During rehearsal keep your music in order and return to the shelf before you leave. The librarian appreciates your help in making her job easier! SBB music is NOT permitted to leave the building. Those who would like to practice more difficult passages are encouraged to take photos with their phones or to make use of the copier by the music shelves.
Concerts– All music is placed in formal black folders and kept in black boxes according to instrumentation. It is each member’s responsibility to retrieve and return music folders to the appropriate boxes. Remember music may not be taken home. Please keep the music in concert order. The librarian will have the black boxes set up at each concert venue.
Concerts
In addition to the summer concert series in Gypsy Hill Park, the SBB may play at other community events and venues. Specific dates will be announced and sign up sheets available in the band room.
Concert Attire
Effective May 27th, 2024, SBB concert attire is all black.
For a more uniform look, it is preferred that members wear a polo shirt with an embroidered logo. Polo shirts may be purchased at or brought to Shenandoah Awards & Apparel (https://www.shenawards.com/) for embroidery. Please allow 7-10 days for the work to be completed.
Skirts or dresses should be long enough to cover the knees when one is seated.
Fees
There are no dues or fees required to join the SBB. All members are volunteers.
Board of Directors
The Stonewall Brigade Band is an all-volunteer band and has a Board of Directors who meet once a month to deal with the business of the band. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. There are several committees you can serve on that helps the band in many ways. If you have any advice or thoughts, please let one of the board members know.
Full Membership
Individuals become “associate members” upon participating in a rehearsal or concert and become full members for life when voted upon by the members after six months active participation by attending at least half the rehearsals during that time. Active full members have the privilege of voting in band business meetings.
Full members who do not attend at least one rehearsal during each three-month period are placed on the inactive list until participation resumes with attendance at half or more of the rehearsals during a three-month period. Placement within sections of the band is determined cooperatively by members of the section, under the direction of the section leader.
If you have any questions you may contact your section leader, any board member, or call or text Tanya Faidley, new member contact, at 540-416-3512 or email at percussion205@gmail.com
Welcome and have fun!