Information
The Ypsilanti Community Band currently has about 80 members. We welcome musicians of all ages to join the YCB! Membership is open to all musicians who play a concert band instrument well enough to contribute to the band’s programming. There is no audition required to join the band. In general, seating within the section is determined by the section leader and members.
Dues/folder fees
As the YCB is an independent group, we ask each member to pay a $20 fee per semester (Fall and Winter only). All dues collected go into the band’s general fund to purchase new equipment, music or other essential items.
When you first join the YCB we will ask for a one-time, refundable fee for a black music folder. The concert folder deposit is $10. The folder deposit is good each year you are a member and will be refunded upon returning your folder when you leave the band.
Membership Guidelines/Handbook
Please see the on-line Guidelines/Handbook for further information on the policies and procedures of the Ypsilanti Community Band. Near the end of the document is information about the Band's leadership, including contact information. In addition, a calendar of the 2008-2009 rehearsal and performance schedule is included. The Guidelines/Handbook is accessed from the "About Us" page.
Concert Dress
Our concert attire is as follows:
Indoor concerts. (Any time of year, any time of day). The Band’s dress for indoor concerts is “black.”
For men, this ordinarily means a dark suit, white dress shirt, and conservative tie. For women, this ordinarily means a black top (i.e., sweater, blouse) and black bottom (i.e., skirt or dress pants) or a black dress. In both cases, the garments are to be worn with appropriate footwear. Please obtain prior approval from the Conductor or his designee for exceptions.
The Conductor, or the Board, may relax the indoor concert dress requirement on a concert-by-concert basis, for example, permitting certain colored accessories for festive occasions.
Outdoor concerts. (Any time of year, any time of day). The Band’s dress for outdoor concerts is “khaki bottom (skirt, pants) and white shirt.” Appropriate footwear, which could include sneakers, but would not include flip-flops, is to be worn as well.
The Conductor, or the Board, may alter the outdoor concert dress requirement on a concert-by-concert basis. For example, warmer clothing or outer garments may be authorized. Or, especially in very hot weather, or when a concert is scheduled in connection with a picnic or outdoor festival, shorts and other sportswear may be authorized.
Inclement Weather Policy:
It will be the practice of the Ypsilanti Community Band to provide a safe and secure rehearsal and performance locale for its performing members and audience. On occasion, due to inclement weather or other situations, it may become necessary to alter or change the rehearsal or performance location and or even cancel the event completely. If such an event were to occur, it will be the practice to provide as much notification as possible. The following steps will be taken to notify its members and audience:
1. No later than two hours before the scheduled event, the director, will make the decision based on the best information available at the time.
2. If a rehearsal or event are to be cancelled or altered the director will make notification to local radio stations including WAAM radio, WJR radio and WWJ radio informing them of the change and request that a public service announcement be made.
3. The director will contact section leaders and appropriate board members of the decision. Section leaders will then contact members of their assigned sections and notify them of the information.
4. A temporary bulletin will be placed on the website (Ypsicommband.com) by the director with the appropriate information and updates.
5. A mass email notification will be sent to all members who request email updates by the director.
6. Members of the band, and our audience, are encouraged to monitor the listed radio stations and check the band website for updated information.
Because members of the band come from such a diverse georgraphical area, individual members are asked to evaluate their ability to safely travel on their individual basis. If he/she makes the decision that they will not be able to attend the scheduled rehearsal or event they are asked to notify their section leader. If the section leader believes that the amount of calls merits notification of the director than the section leader will do so. The director will use this information in his/her decision to continue the event or cancel it.
Safety of all is the primary concern in making such decisions.
Joining the Band
To have someone contact you about joining the YCB please contact us at:
ypsicommband@gmail.com
734.476.8381
