The Stonewall Brigade Band
Fact And Policy Page
Telephone at any time of day: (540)332-3835
Questions - Contact Board members at stonewallbrigadeband.com
How events are guaged to real world:
(Pending) Engagements subject to Board approval and requisite membership sign up and sponsor approval.
(Firm) Engagements for which the Band is committed but are subject to cancellation owing to weather conditions (no cover).
(Rain or shine) Engagements that are subject only to cancellation owing to dangerous weather conditions; i.e., lightning, destructive winds, hazardous driving conditions (ice, snow, flooding, etc.)
In all cases, an engagement could be canceled owing to an insufficient number of members or needed instrumentation.
Auditions are not required to begin a relationship with this Band. However, anyone who desires to continue this relationship with the idea of becoming a member must embark on a personal program of musical discipline and training such that his skill and art will materially contribute to the quality of the Band's playing performance. Amongst us, there is an infinite variation of levels of skill and musical proficiency. Whatever they may be, it is wholly a personal challenge and the individual's obligation to himself and to the Band to improve upon them to the oveall benefit of the Band first and then to themselves next. It should be said that in addition to developing his or her own musical talent each individual is expected to be of general good civic behavior and character and abide by the laws of the Commonwealth.
The basic principle of seating will be that of seniority. Adult players (18 years or older) have precedence; but may defer to a younger player if the adult prefers to do so. At no time shall time of arrival at a rehearsal or performances determine where a member shall sit.
Because of the cost of music and because many different musicians play with the Band each week, the Board must insist that original music never be taken from the Band room or the performance area. Equipment or instruments may be borrowed only with the permission of the Board and must be signed for on the equipment sign out sheet.
We members believe we have a responsibility to keep this historic organization alive and to take care of the equipment, music, and facilities entrusted to us by the community. We all share a duty to help with the work of the Band and to perform and to improve musically and behave professionally and personally on a high moral plane for the greater good of the Band, our fellow members, and ourselves.
Uniform For Performance: The uniform is: Upper torso, White shirt, blouse or Golf Style T-Shirt (with collar, no lettering, slogans, or designs except for Band's logo). White long sleeve sweatshirt for cool weather. Lower torso: Black or very dark blue pants, slacks. Shorts are discouraged - male or female. No hats or caps while on a covered stage. Members: please store instrument cases off stage.
Performance Admission: The Stonewall Brigade Band, Inc. does not charge admission nor does it charge sponsors for performances by the Band proper, the Stonewall Brigade Band Brass Ensemble, or any other musical segment organized under the auspices of the Corporation. All performances are totally free to the public. For certain public community service functions, expenses for food, travel, and lodging are contracted for events in excess of a fifty (50) mile radius of Staunton, Va. Donations of a reasonable amount consistent with current pricing performance standards may be made for the Band's participation in promotional, political, or fund raising functions for non profit or other organizations, associations, or other civic groups deemed by the Corporation to be engaged in activities that are constructive and beneficial to the general community. A determination of such is subject to the review and approval on a case by case basis and is wholly a matter under the cognizance of the Stonewall Brigade Band, Inc. In any activity for which the Stonewall Brigade Band has been so engaged to perform
no person is to be denied attendance to the Stonewall Brigade Band's performance by the sponsor for any reason other than inappropriate social or public behavior.:
no person is to be denied attendance to the Stonewall Brigade Band's performance by the sponsor for any reason other than inappropriate social or public behavior.:
The current policy is to rehearse or play scheduled concerts every Monday night regardless of the celebrations of others or the falling of holidays on such nights except for dangerous weather. When dangerous weather conditions are forecast, a cancellation notice is sent to the membership by Email or by enabling a message at (540)332-3835. The decision to issue a cancellation notice is usually made by 5 pm on the day of the event. A decision not to cancel is based on a best estimate of expected conditions for the contiguous Staunton roads and area. Such conditions may not be the case for members outside the immediate Staunton area. Those members that have to travel long distances must make a road and area conditions assessment for themselves.
Commitment To Instrumentation And Event Attendance Honor Code: The Stonewall Brigade Band, upon accepting an engagement to perfom, posts and asks its members to sign up for their attendance. The purpose of the sign up sheet is to provide instrumentation information to the director; and, to assure the Stonewall Brigade Band that adequate numbers of playing members will be available to field a credible concert band ensemble. If the numbers or instrumentation are not sufficiently indicated, other choices are available -- the most unwanted and undesirable being cancellation of the event. Signing the sheet and the actual attendance at the event is a personal honor code matter incumbent upon each member. Other than for an emergency, again a matter of personal honor for the individual member, members who have said that they will attend an event are expected to honor that commitment or personally communicate with and advise the director that they are unable to meet their obligation with sufficient lead time so as to allow the director to adjust for their absence as necessary. This is particularly important for instrumentation purposes making its execution an absolute must requirement -- again a matter of personal honor to accomplish.
Rehearsal Hall Use: The organization encourages the use of its rehearsal hall by any member or members in those pursuits that promote and enchance the status and reputation of the Stonewall Brigade Band. A calendar is posted; and, the date and times of proposed usage must be penciled in by those wishing to reserve use of the rehearsal hall. Other than for the needs of the Stonewall Brigade Band and its Librarian, reservations are generally on a first come basis. However, final authority for the proposed use of and the amount of time of use for the rehearsal hall rests with the President. Officers and those members who have been granted unlimited access to the rehearsal hall are expected to defer to reservations that have been properly posted in advance of the intended use of the rehearsal hall.
Pictured above: The Stonewall Brigade Band Brass Ensemble
The Stonewall Brigade Band was honored by the Covenant Presbyterian Church "Thursday Morning Music Club" on 14 May 2005. The Stonewall Brigade Band Brass Ensemble gave a concert for the club members and the public.
The Stonewall Brigade Band in performance for the Staunton "Victorian Festival" - Saturday 23 April 2005
This page was last updated on: January 22, 2009