Frequently Asked Questions

Where do you rehearse?

Rehearsals are at Western Technical-Commercial School, 125 Evelyn Crescent, Toronto (near Bloor Street and Runnymede Road). Here is an interactive map from Google Maps of our rehearsal site.

When do you rehearse?

Rehearsals are Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., from September to June. We do not rehearse in the summer, and we take breaks for Christmas-New Year's and the March school break.

Do you perform concerts?

Yes, we play concerts at retirement homes throughout the Toronto area, usually about six a year. We also have a "Family and Friends" concert at Western Tech to conclude our season in June. Concerts are usually scheduled for Thursday evening, in the time slot usually used for rehearsals, so that band members do not have to change their weekly schedule to attend the concert.

What instruments are you looking for?

We are a concert band that performs standard concert band arrangements. These have parts for most woodwind and brass instruments, plus percussion. If you play a "non-standard" instrument (e.g. soprano saxophone, alto horn, etc), don't hesitate to contact us. We can very probably accommodate you.

Do you have room for one more trumpet/saxophone/whatever?

Yes, certainly. Some other bands have a limited number of "chairs" for each instrument, and only accept new members when there are vacancies. One of our goals is to maximize participation, so we don't work that way. We always have room for new members.

Do I have to come to all of the rehearsals and concerts?

We hope you'll find the rehearsals and concerts fun, and will want to attend as often as possible. Regular attendance will help both you and the band as a whole to perform better. That said, we understand that band members have family, work and other responsibilities that sometimes prevent them from attending. That's quite all right.

How good a player do I have to be?

Our band members have a wide range of abilities. You'll need to know the basics of performing on your instrument -- we don't provide instruction for absolute beginners. Novice players are very welcome, though. The author of this FAQ had been playing his instrument for about four months when he joined the band. Players returning to music after a layoff of a few or many years are very welcome, too.

Do I need to audition?

No, there are no auditions. Just come to a rehearsal (or two), sit in with the band, play along, and decide if you fit in. You won't be asked to perform a solo (unless you really want to). Please contact us before coming to a rehearsal, so that we'll know to expect you.

Do I have to pay to join?

We levy a small fee to cover the costs of renting our rehearsal space and to pay a stipend to our conductor. The amount varies, depending on the number of members in the band. Our season is divided into three terms: September-December, January-March, April-June. The fee is typically $30-40 per term. Full-time students receive a discount.