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There's nothing
quite like a band
to get your toes
tapping, especially if you recognize
the tune. More than three decades
ago, a few musicians--most of them
teachers--recognized the need to
launch a local performance group.
The
Fauquier Community Band
(FCB) formed in the spring of 1986,
grew to about 20 members, and that
September performed its inaugural
concert, conducted by then Taylor
Junior High School band teacher
Richard Griffith.
Since then, it has grown as an
organization and acquired 501(c)
(3) nonprofit status, but its premise
remains unchanged: "It's a community
band in every sense of the word,"
says current FCB secretary Sandy
Ludes. "It's free to be a member and
all concerts are free."
It's also a true representation of our
community, made up of musicians
of all ages (from middle school all
the way up to octogenarians) who
come from Fauquier, Culpeper,
Prince William, Rappahannock, and
beyond. Skill levels run the gamut from
near beginner to professional, and
everything in between. Sandy notes
that many FCB musicians played
in high school and/or college and
took a break
for several
d e c a d e s
while raising
their families,
before having
time to pick
up their
instruments
again! The
band often attracts more than one
family member--spouses, siblings,
etc. While the number of band
members varies throughout the year,
concerts usually feature 50 or more
musicians.
Auditions aren't necessary. If you're
a percussion, brass, or woodwind
instrumentalist who can read music
and commit to practicing on your
own as well as attending FCB
~ Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire
Fauquier Community Band:
Making Music for Over 30 Years!
rehearsals before a concert, you're
welcome to join! During the school
year, rehearsals are held on Mondays
from 7:008:30 p.m. at Fauquier High
School (FHS). Simply show up, and
you'll quickly be greeted by a friendly
band member who will lead you to
your instrument section. During the
summer, the group alternates holding
rehearsals between the Warrenton
Community Center (430 E. Shirley
Avenue) and the Warrenton Visitor
Center (33 N. Calhoun Street).
A violinist, Sandy joined the band two
years ago--as a percussionist! Her
husband, who plays the euphonium,
joined a few years prior, and he told
her they were looking for additional
percussion players. Because she
could read music, Sandy quickly
learned to play the xylophone, chimes,
and glockenspiel!
The Fauquier Community Band
holds four regular annual concerts,
and the next one is right around the
corner. Head to the FHS auditorium
on Monday, June 4, at 7:00 p.m. to
enjoy the return of a favorite concert
theme--The 20th Century in Music.
From Dixieland, The Charleston,
and Big Band music, to rock, pop,
and disco from the Beatles, Michael
Jackson, and more, they'll play a song
for each decade!
If you're a fan of fireworks, go to the
WARF on Friday, June 29, when the
FCB will play at dusk--before and
during the fireworks show! You'll also
find them in Old Town Warrenton near
the courthouse on Wednesday, July
4, at 10:00 a.m., when they'll perform
during the Warrenton Children and
Pets Parade and again on Friday, July
6, at 7:00 p.m. during First Friday.
They'll be back at FHS to perform
in October and then of course in
December for their Christmas
concert. The Fauquier Community
Band is currently conducted by
Paul Hicks, who has taught band
at Marshall Middle School since
2001. Katie Bryant, who relocated
to Virginia from Maine in 2015,
serves as the assistant conductor.
Since its inception, the Fauquier
Community Band has existed
to provide enjoyment for local
residents. Although the all-
volunteer organization's expenses
are low, they still incur costs for
music, rehearsal space, and
program printing. Please consider
supporting this incredibly dedicated
group through an online donation,
or an onsite donation or raffle ticket
purchase during a concert. To learn
more or to make an online donation,
visit
www.fauquiercommunityband.
com.
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