
Rehearsal Policy
The band meets on Tuesday evenings from 6:50 PM, SHARP or earlier if band attendance has reached a critical mass, to approximately 8:30 PM, often dismissing a bit earlier, at The Margaret L. Vetter School at 3 Grant Avenue in Eatontown, NJ when school is in session. Early is on time, and on time is late.
Rehearsals for the new fall/winter concert season start in early September and last until the final fall/winter concert. The band takes a hiatus during the winter holiday season, and begins spring rehearsals in January for our final concerts in April and May.
Several rehearsals each season will dedicate time with our vocal soloist, David. Those rehearsal evenings will be full band rehearsal from 6:50 PM to around 8:00 PM at which time those who do not accompany David are excused. Rehearsal will continue with David and those accompanying him until around 8:30.
Here are a few tips when accompanying David:
-
Those with the melody do not play while David is singing the same melody.
-
In general, play as softly as possible.
-
Play a little louder during interludes featuring the instruments. This is often the melody when David is not singing.
-
Follow the tempo of the director who will be following David's tempo.
-
In general, the final few bars are played faster since David may be singing an extended note. We want to finish before he runs out of breath.