Question 1

How do I join the FCMB?

Accepted Answer

You can reach out to us at info@fcmb.ca, or you can tag along to a rehearsal with a current member of the band!  We rehearse Monday evenings from 7 to 9 PM in the band room of George Street Middle School during the school year - access to the band room is via the Brunswick Street/Barrack Lane parking lot.

Question 2

What instruments are you looking for?

Accepted Answer

We are a standard concert band.  Concert bands, also sometimes called wind ensembles or brass and reed bands, consist of woodwind (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone), brass (trumpet, cornet, trombone, french horn, tuba, euphonium), and percussion instruments.

We accept any instruments that can play in a concert band, and we are especially looking for those who can play clarinet, saxophone, french horn, or percussion in particular.  If you or someone you know can play one of these instruments, we highly encourage you to come out and give the band a try!

Question 3

Do I have to audition?

Accepted Answer

No – we are a non-auditioning volunteer community band with members at a wide range of skill levels. If you are a high school band student, or if you played in a high school or university band, even if it was many years ago, then you are probably suited for us. We do not expect new members to be able to play every note at first. Come and play what you can, and our veteran players will help you out.

Question 4

What if I cannot play at all?

Accepted Answer

While we are a non-auditioning group, we are not a beginner band. You will need to be able to read music and have some playing experience. We encourage adult beginners who wish to learn how to play an instrument to explore other options such as the Second Chances program.

Question 5

What if I don't have an instrument?

Accepted Answer

We have a limited number of instruments available for loan to our members. If we do not have the instrument you need, rentals at reasonable rates are available from local music stores such as Long & McQuade.

Question 6

Are there membership fees?

Accepted Answer

No, there are no membership fees. As the Official Band of the City of Fredericton, we are funded through Fredericton Tourism.

Question 7

What is the schedule like?

Accepted Answer

Rehearsals are once per week. We typically perform one concert in the fall term and one in the winter/spring. In addition, as a civic group we perform two concerts each summer as part of Fredericton Tourism’s Outdoor Summer Concert series. We also march in the local Remembrance Day, Santa Claus, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Canada Day parades, as well as occasional parades in other cities.

Question 8

Do I have to march? I don't know if I can!

Accepted Answer

Marching in parades is not mandatory; we have many members who are not able to march. If you haven’t marched before, though, we would suggest you give it a try before saying no, as it is a lot of fun! We only do straight-forward street marches, not the extravaganzas you see at football half-time shows. If you can walk a couple of kilometres, you can probably march with us.

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