Thanks for your interest! If you used to play in a high school or college band and are at least 18 years old or a high school grad, have we got a deal for you! We've saved all the best parts of marching band and eliminated as much dreck as possible. We think you'll have a great time.
In addition to its musical ranks, the band sports a twirling squad, dance team, and flag-spinning color guard. Got a spouse who doesn't play but would love to be part of the band with you? Our Support Team carries banners and flags, keeps the band watered during parades, and has all the fun of being on the street accepting the cheers of the crowd.
Out of practice? No problem – so was everybody else when they joined the group! We're a friendly bunch, and you'll enjoy playing your way back into shape.
See below for more info about uniforms, music, time commitment, music style, cost, and more. You can also contact us at info@thebeatgoesonmb.org with any questions and we'll get back to you promptly.
Even better, just go ahead and take the plunge. Fill in our incredibly brief enrollment form and we'll soon have you back on the street!
In a nutshell, what is The Beat Goes On Marching Band (TBGO)?
TBGO is an all-adult marching band that retains all the best parts of being in a marching band without the regimentation. The band marches in local, regional, state, national, international events. And it's a blast getting back out on the street in a parade playing rock 'n' roll to the crowds. The band also performs lots of concerts. So if you can't march, these are for you!
Can I be in the band?
Requirements are:
Who is in the band?
The band ranges in age from 20s to 80s and is made up of:
I haven't picked up my instrument/baton/flag in years.
Almost everyone in the band has been in your shoes. Most folks get back into the swing of things before long. Embouchures come back, fingerings are remembered, flag and baton moves are relearned, dance steps are picked back up… Whatever you did before will come back. And there are plenty of us to help you relearn what you used to know.
This all sounds like fun, but I'm not sure I'm ready to sign up.
That's ok. We know it can be a bit intimidating to try something new. Many of us felt the same way. The best way to figure out if you want to be in the band is to come to a rehearsal or two. We've found that's often the best way to get new people. If you're a musician, you should definitely bring your instrument if you own one. We'll introduce you to people in your section so you can sit with them and get the real band experience. If you're interested in one of the auxiliaries (Dance Team, Twirling Squad, Color Guard), it works a bit differently. We'll touch on that below…
How do I sign up?
Go to the website (if you got this far, you've found it!) www.tbgo.org. Click on the 'Join TBGO' button near the top and click on 'SIGN UP' near the middle of the page. Or just click right here to go there directly. Your information will be immediately forwarded to the band director.
I signed up! What happens next?
You'll receive a detailed introductory email with all the tidbits of information you need to get started. You'll learn about how to get music, purchase uniform parts, and other cool stuff. You'll also be added to the TBGO mailing list so you stay abreaast of all the latest information.
I'm interested in one of the auxiliary teams.
Your signup information will be forwarded to the appropriate team captain and he/she will contact you with next steps. The twirling squad and color guard add members throughout the year; the dance team holds auditions once a year in the Fall.
I've heard that the band does some traveling. How does that work?
Travelling with your best band buddies is one of the most fun things to do with the band. One of the band's board members has been a travel agent for over 40 years and he knows his stuff. For day trips, we often charter a motor coach for those who want to leave the driving to someone else. The band subsidizes a portion of the cost and band associates pay a modest amount for a seat on the motor coach. For regional, national, and international trips, the band's travel agent puts together the itineraries and books the travel (flights, motor coaches, hotels, etc.). Band associates can book through the travel agent or they can book their own travel. To encourage people to sign up early, we often offer an early booking discount. For all band trips, there are sign ups so we know who's going and can plan accordingly. We often do surveys to gauge interest in trips. The band also has a long-range plan for trips so people can plan for them and save their quarters. You can find long-Term Travel Plans under the 'Members' section of the website.
Do you have uniforms?
Why yes, we do! The uniform consists of a TBGO logo shirt and cap, to which you add appropriate matching pants and shoes. There are also some optional uniform parts such as jackets that are available periodically. To lower expenses for members, we use the same uniform parts for multiple years. There are basically two versions of the uniform: informal/warm weather and formal/cooler weather. For each event, the band director decides which version of the uniform the band will wear and posts it to the Event Information page of the Members section of the website. You can learn all you need to know about uniforms by on the Uniforms page in the Members section of the website. Once you've purchased your uniform, you can pick it up at rehearsal. If you're not sure of your size, we always have a selection of shirts at rehearsals that you can check out to see what size works best for you.
What kind of music do you play, and how do I get the music?
Though our musical tastes are eclectic, TBGO features a high-energy, brassy, rock and roll style – we may be a marching band, but we're more likely to play Bruno Mars than John Philip Sousa! Our current show is still heavily rooted in rock and roll favorites, but we also play patriotic tunes, funk, jazz, soul, a polka or two, and yep, even a couple of marches. We introduce new music to our repertoire on a regular basis. New music is available from the Music Librarian at rehearsals; you can email the librarian in advance at librarian@tbgo.org to ensure that a music packet will be ready for you.
Is there help for practicing the music?
If you want to practice music outside of rehearsals, you can hit the website and click on the Member Info drop-down menu and click on Rehearsal Music. Many of the pieces we play have links so you can play along. There are also tips for tricky rhythms.
How often do you rehearse?
Rehearsals are two hours long and occur approximately every two weeks, generally on Sunday afternoons. Most rehearsals are currently held at Garden Home Recreation Center, 7475 SW Oleson Rd. During our heavy performance period (summer), we have fewer rehearsals. We like you to attend as many rehearsals as you can, but we also understand that some band associates can't make all rehearsals. Reasons generally are scheduling conflicts, not living nearby, etc. If you can't make regular rehearsals, we encourage you to rehearse on your own if you plan to participate in upcoming events.
How is the band organized?
TBGO's Board of Directors consists of seven members plus up to four non-voting adjunct members. The seven members include a president, secretary, and treasurer. We added the adjunct members to broaden the input we get from band associates. The seven board members' terms run for two years and are staggered so about half the terms are up every two years. Adjunct terms run for one year. Both board members and adjuncts can be re-elected.
What if, after reading this fabulous FAQ, I still have questions?
If you have questions, you can ask any band associate. Each section in the band has a section rep who is there to help you. The section rep is someone who has agreed to make sure everyone has music and to answer questions. Having section reps helps keep the band director from being inundated with questions the section reps can answer. For most questions, you should check in with your section rep first. If he/she can't help, then your section rep can determine who is the best person to answer your question. You can also bring comments and issues to any member of the Board.