A rich history with noble roots...

Founded in 1984 by Dr. Paul Droste¹ (pictured adjacent right sidebar), the Brass Band of Columbus has been at the forefront of the resurgence of the brass band movement for over twenty years. The band’s instrumentation is brass and percussion only, following the tradition of British brass bands. Membership of this 45-piece ensemble includes over thirty active or retired music educators and a wide range of other professions.

¹ Dr. Paul Droste, Emeritus Professor of Music at The Ohio State University and former director of the renown OSU Marching Band.

In the near future, we hope to share a detailed historical document about the BBC.

Leadership comes in many forms...

For the first twenty years, the BBC was under the baton of Dr. Paul Droste. Tim Jameson was selected as Director in July 2005 after Dr. Droste’s retirement in December 2004. Adjacent photo: Passing the baton (L-R) Dr. Paul Droste, Tim Jameson, Tony Zilincik and Les Susi.

Tim Jameson fulfilled the role of BBC Director until his resignation in February 2010. Mr. Jameson's last concert with the BBC was the God & Country Concert on Saturday, March 13, 2010, and he was presented a plaque acknowledging his nearly five years of service — taking the BBC through its Silver Gala and into the next quarter century.

The BBC embarks on a new chapter as it pursues artistic direction with an active search and plans to appoint a new Music Director by the beginning of September 2010. Brian Stevens returns to the BBC to assume the role of Interim Music Director through Summer 2010.

Leadership in this organization takes on many forms in addition to its Directors. The first twenty years found a trio of leaders driving most of the band operations to the awe and amazement of everyone: Dr. Droste and fellow emeritus members Les Susi (Associate Director) and Ray Spillman. Charter members also took on additional roles beside that of musician - such as Band Chairperson. Lisa Galvin functioned as chairperson until recently to afford time for other ventures while remaining our Principal Horn. The role of band chairperson is now assumed by Christy Farnbauch who leads the BBC Executive Committee.

With Dr. Droste's retirement and that of other active members, a new Board of Directors now helps provide support in meaningful ways. The operational functions of the the band continue to thrive through the leadership of osthers to include a business manager, content webmaster, and our BBCEO chairperson (educational outreach). See Contact Us.

Performances - where we've appeared...

The Brass Band of Columbus averages over twenty appearances per year at indoor and outdoor venues, community events, and church services.Major appearances include The Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, The Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky, the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference, and state, national, and international conferences of musical organizations.  In 2000, the BBC performed as a part of the British Open Brass Band competition in Birmingham, England.

Following is an alphabetic list of venues where the BBC has performed over the past 48 months:

• Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH (x7)
• Capital Theater, Columbus, OH (Annual God & Country Concert); Guest Artist Chris Jaudes, Trumpet
• Capital Theater, Columbus, OH (Annual God & Country Concert); Guest Artists Pendel Brass and Singers
• Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH
• Church of the Master, Westerville, OH
• Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH; OMEA Conference
• Columbus Maennerchor, Columbus, OH (x2)
• Delphos Gazebo, Delphos, OH
• Dublin Coffman HS (Educational Outreach Series) Dublin, OH (x2)
• Dublin Irish Festival, Dublin, OH (x2)
• Friendship Village, Westerville, OH (x2)
• Galion Theater, Galion, OH
• Grace Brethren Church, Worthington, OH
• Granville Park Series, Granville, OH
• Great American Brass Band Festival, Danville, KY; Guest Soloist: Phil Smith, Trumpet
• Grove City Park Series, Grove City, OH
• Hannaford Brass Festival, Toronto, CAN
• Heath HS (Educational Outreach Series), Heath, OH
• Hilliard Darby HS (Educational Outreach Series). Hilliard, OH
• Hilliard Davidson HS (Educational Outreach Series), Hilliard, OH
• Hoover Auditorium, Lakeside, OH
• Indian Run Church United Methodist Church, Dublin, OH
• Infirmary Mound Park, Granville, OH
• Jeffery Mansion, Bexley, OH
• Lancaster Campground, Lancaster, OH (x4)
• Linworth United Methodist Church, Dublin, OH
• Marion Palace Theater, Marion, OH
• Maumee Community Arts Center, Maumee, OH; Joint event with Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps
• Mees Hall, Capital University, Columbus, OH (x2)
• Mershon Auditorium, Annual God & Country Concert; Guest Artist New York Staff Band, Columbus, OH
• North American Brass Band Association Competition, Louisville, KY (x2)
• Northwest Christian Church, Upper Arlington, OH
• Ohio Brass Arts Festival, Westerville, OH
• Ohio Brass Arts Festival, OSU Weigel Hall (x2)
• Ohio Village, Columbus, OH
• Park of Roses Gazebo, Columbus, OH (x4)
• Powell United Methodist Church, Powell, OH
• Prince of Peace Lutheran, Dublin, OH
• Scioto Park, Dublin, OH (x4)
• Seacrest Auditorium, Zanesville, OH (x2)
• Southern Theater; Columbus, OH
• Southern Theater; Columbus, OH, Guest Conductor Geoffery Brand
• Southern Theater; Columbus, OH, Guest Conductor/Composer James Curnow
• St. John Church, Columbus, OH (x4)
• The McCoy Center for the Performing Arts, New Albany, OH
• The McCoy Center for the Performing Arts, New Albany, OH - Guest Conductor/Composer James Curnow - Gala Concert
• Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Bexley, OH (x4)
• Tuttle Crossing Mall, Dublin, OH
• Weigel Hall Auditorium, OSU, Columbus, OH - 24th Annual God & Country Concert with Montclair Citadel Ban
• Westerville Central HS (Educational Outreach Series), Westerville, OH
• Worthington Lutheran Church, Worthington, OH

Competition - True Champions...

The Brass Band of Columbus is a member of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA), an organization devoted to promoting brass bands and brass banding in North America.  Each year NABBA hosts a competition for its member bands.  At these contests, a highly-esteemed panel of international judges critiques bands in five different performance divisions, called sections. 

The BBC competes in the top division, the Championship Section, and has been awarded First Place ten times, most recently in April 2006.  No other North American brass band approaches this record of excellence.  The BBC hosted the contest in 1987, 1992, and 1996.

In the adjacent photo, Lisa Galvin, former BBC band chairperson accepts the First Place Championship Section banner at NABBA, April 2006.

 

 

Recordings - an audio legacy of musical excellence...

The BBC's first commercial recording, Lead On!, was released in 1994.  Its second recording is called The Champions and was released in 1998.  American's We was released in 2000 in conjunction with the band’s trip to England.  Brass Band Christmas was released in 2001. The band’s recording entitled Gifted Leadership – An Anthology of March Masterpieces, was dedicated to the band’s founder Dr. Paul Droste and was released in 2006.

The bands newest recording, Strike Up The (Brass) Band was released in July 2008. If interested in purchasing any BBC Recording, access our CD Order Form or look for our BBC Merchandise table at any concert or special event.

 

Guest Artists - renown musicians have joined the BBC...

The BBC has been joined over the years by guest performers and conductors of local, national and international acclaim. Guest performers include Mark Baker (vocal), William Broughton (trombone), Nicholas Childs (euphonium), Robert Childs (euphonium), John Harner (trumpet), Chris Jaudes (trumpet), Lars-Otto Ljungholm (cornet), Katrina Marzella (baritone), Cabot Rea (vocal), Rob Richardson (baritone), Helen Tyler (baritone),  and Philip Smith (trumpet, cornet).

Guest conductors include Geoffrey Brand, Nick Childs, Steven Cobb, James Curnow, Jack Evans, William Himes, Ron Holz, Craig Kirchoff, Donald McGinnis, Phillip Sparkes, Ron Waiksnoris, and Jon Woods.

James Curnow is a renown composer and conductor who has previously joined the BBC on numerous occassions. However, as part of our Silver Celebration, Mr. Curnow returns to Columbus and the BBC podium as Guest Conductor, but also to premiere his BBC commissioned work The Ellacombe Chronicles [pdf].

Mr. Curnow returns as Guest Conductor for the 2010 Ohio Brass Arts Festival when the BBC will reprise its performance of The Ellacombe Chronicles under the baton of its composer. See related news story.

 

 

As part of our Silver Celebration, Aaron VanderWeele, International Euphonium Player of the Year Award in 2007, joined us for two electrifying concerts in December, 2008.

Adjacent photo: Aaron VanderWeele

 

Also in February, 2009 internationally renown tuba soloist, Øystein Baadsvik joined us for an extraordinary evening. We're delighted to announce that in addition to Mr. Baadsvik's participation, this was a joint concert with the New Albany High School Band as part of our BBCEO Shared Concert Series. We especially enjoyed the experience in a new venue for us - the McCoy Arts Center in New Albany.

 

 

Look for more information soon...

Outreach - we give back to our community and support music education...

The Brass Band of Columbus Educational Outreach (BBCEO) program exists to:

1. Advocate the importance of music education in the schools.

2. Foster a deep appreciation for quality music-making in a live setting.

3. Promote music as a lifetime experience.

This exciting program includes our Shared Concert Series and the Young Artist Competition. Learn more...

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Support - as an all volunteer non-profit, we need your support to sustain our mission...

Financial support for the Brass Band of Columbus comes from concert fees and the kind donations of individuals and families.

The BBC also receives annual grants or generous financial gifts from:

• The Community Arts Fund of The Columbus Foundation
• The Ohio Arts Council

In-kind support is received from:

• Colonial Music
• Dublin City Schools
• Ologie
• Buckeye Brass & Winds
• Creative By Clark,

Learn more about our Corporate Supporters and how you can help us...