Dunedin Concert Band Announces Changed Venue for Music Reading Workshops

From Dunedin Concert Band:

Some call it the “dog days of summer;” others call it “just plain hot and sultry,” while many band musicians throughout the Tampa Bay area simply lament, “what do I do now that band season is over?”

It’s that time, somewhere between the end of May and the beginning of September, when most community bands take time off from rehearsals and performances and their members go into musical withdrawal until their next season.

But no longer! As announced in our previous press release, the Tampa Bay Music Reading Workshop series was launched in May as a way to get band “geeks” out of their hibernation and playing again.

Consisting of seven sessions every other Tuesday evening through Aug. 23, these musicians provide an opportunity for all woodwind, brass and percussion players of all skill levels and from all musical organizations to come together to sight-read and play pieces chosen by our guest conductors with absolutely no judgment, no audition, no recruiting and no cost.

The numbers are in, and if the first two sessions are any indicator, we have a hit! For whatever their reason - be it to play for “their conductor,” to reunite with former musical friends or to just play and socialize - folks are flocking to the workshops. Our first session drew almost 70 participants, while the second session drew 89.

As visiting clarinetist Evelie Davis of the St. Pet Petersburg Community Band says, “It’s a good time to keep up your musical skills over the summer, play under the direction of many different talented directors and meet other fine musicians in community bands throughout Pinellas County.”

Former “ROUNDERS” member Pete Foret tells us, “I’ve been going to Dunedin's summer reading program for about four years. It is fun, keeps your lip in shape; you meet a lot of old friends from other bands; you play a lot of music you may not have seen before, and there are often guest conductors to help you along. I look forward to it.”

Conducting our next session on June 28 is Mr. Bill Findeison, co-founder and executive director of the original Seonc Time Arounders marching band. His music selections? Holy music!

Interested attendees must note a change of venue. In anticipation of another expected record crowd, the June 28 session will be held at The Conmy Center, located at 750 San Salvador Dr. in Dunedin, a mile from the Dunedin Community Center.