THE STORY OF THE FCCB
The Ferndale Community Concert Band was founded in February, 2015. The idea for a local concert band came out of the handful of surveys that the Ferndale Arts & Cultural Commission took during big events in downtown Ferndale.
The Ferndale Community Concert Band began with a survey in the spring of 2014 distributed by the Ferndale Arts & Cultural Commission. In the survey residents were asked a series of questions pertaining to how Art should be a part of the community and what genres are preferred.
When the surveys were evaluated Visual and Performing Arts and Art in the Park topped the list. During the discussion of how to move forward to bring Ferndale what they most wanted, Tim Brennan and Sharon Chess, as members of the Commission, decided to narrow the search. and Another survey was conducted with options of a community orchestra or a community band. The community band won by a narrow margin.
The results were brought to the FACC. Tim and Sharon were given the opportunity to build on the results. In consultation with community member and retired Cass Tech orchestra director Marc Haas, the groundwork was laid for how to proceed with the formation of a band. In February of 2015, Rachel Akers began assisting with email, website, social media, and other electronic communications to get the word out that the Ferndale Community Concert Band was looking for local musicians to join our fledgling ensemble.
There was an enourmous and encouraging turnout for the FCCB's first rehearsal, where we ran out of chairs, and it only went up from there - our first concert was performed with almost 60 players!
With the co-operation of Mr. Roger Smith (former band director and Principal of Ferndale High School) and Mr. Elon Jamison (Director of Bands at FHS), we have been able to use Ferndale's spacious facilities for our rehearsals and concert venue. Mr. Jamison has also served as our guest conductor in the absence of Mr. Quick.
With very little experience playing together the band had a sound as if it has been together for years. Each of our many musicians brings great passion and experience. Our membership is made up of collegiate marching band alumni, recent high school graduates, and healthy mix of amateur and professional musicians alike.
The first official season was a huge success. The FCCB had a number of guest artists collaborate with them during the 2015-2016 season, including Carlos Whitlow and Generation Praise, the award winning Gospel singing group based in Detroit; Mr. Pette Moore, an outstanding bass/baritone who works for the Michigan Opera; Mr. Damien Crutcher, the Director of the Farmington Community Band; and Ms. Ava Ordman, Professor of Trombone at Michigan State University.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Ferndale Community Concert Band, please contact us via the form under the "contact us" tab, and we will respond with our membership application. We look forward to playing with you!
