Richard Thomas is getting something off the ground that’s been a dream/goal of his for some time: a Community Band! While the DFW metroplex actually has one of the highest numbers of community bands per capita in the US, our area (I-35 corridor south of Dallas/north Ellis Co) pretty much has nothing. It is one of our core values for the band program here at ROHS that we instill a desire for life-long music making in our students.
Playing in a community band is something that we can do for the rest of our lives! (I’ve played in community bands with folks in their 60’s and 70’s many times!!). It is my hope that we can create a band of adults that love to play and miss having the opportunity to do so, while still being an ensemble of excellence – performing with technical skill and musicianship at a level that the players would greatly enjoy and be proud of. (the goal being at least around the Grade IV level)
SO…….I’m going to do a test-run of this concept by putting together a community band for the “Red Oak, White and Blue” festival on the evening of June 28th. We’ll do a couple of rehearsals the week before the performance, and the performance itself will be a park concert of round 25-30 minutes of music or so (patriotic, musical tunes, etc.).
If you could also pass this along to anyone you can think of who……
▪ used to play in HS band and would love the chance to play again (regardless of your current vocation!)
▪ still plays now, perhaps mainly at church or other civic locales
▪ plays in another community band or wind ensemble, but would love to come play with us also
▪ is a private lesson teacher in the area
▪ is a band director in the area
▪ is a church music minister who plays a band instrument
▪ can play at roughly a Grade IV level or higher (or could regain that skill after some practice!)
▪ has an instrument to play on (I won’t have any available)
Rehearsal dates will be Monday, June 23 and Thursday, June 26. Times 7:00-9:00 p.m. We’ll also rehearse at 6:00 p.m. prior to the actual concert. Rehearsals will be in the Red Oak HS Band Hall.
If you fit this bill, or know someone who may be interested, please contact me at richard.thomas@redoakisd.org and we’ll look at a couple of rehearsal dates before the June 28th date.
Thank you and please pass the word!!
Best,
Richard Thomas
Director of Bands
Red Oak High School
154 Louise Ritter Blvd
Red Oak, Texas 75154
469.437.8818
richard.thomas@redoakisd.org
www.redoakband.com