General Information

The band is open to all adult instrumental musicians in Summit County and the surrounding area. Membership in the band is offered to the community through the Hudson Community Education & Recreation program. Current and former members have come from Akron, Aurora, Bedford, Canal Fulton, Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Glenwillow, Hudson, Kent, Macedonia, Maple Heights, North Royalton, Peninsula, Ravenna, Sagamore Hills, Stow, Streetsboro, Twinsburg and Willoughby. New members are always welcome. No audition is required

The band plays a wide variety of music including marches, overtures, transcriptions, contemporary, classical, instrumental/vocal solos, Broadway show tunes, jazz, popular and patriotic music. We feature instrumental soloists, vocal soloists and ensembles from within the band membership.

Who We are

The Western Reserve Community Band, founded in 1997, has grown to over 50 members from 19 surrounding communities.  Our mission is to provide FREE musical entertainment and cultural enrichment to communities throughout northeastern Ohio.

Where We Play   

The ensemble has performed at Hattie Larlham, Hudson Works, Hudson Memorial Day Parade, Laurel Lake, The Elms, Hudson Ice Cream Social, Aurora Fourth of July Festival, Twinsburg Ice Cream Social, Twinsburg Concert on the Green, St. Barnabas Festival, Macedonia Longwood Park Festival, Stow Days Ice Cream Social, Stan Hywet Hall, Cuyahoga Falls River Square Amphitheatre, Hudson Fireworks, Hudson Pancake Breakfast, Hale Farms, Hudson Summer Music Festival, Blossom Family Days, St Joan Of Arc Summer Festival, Aurora Independence Village Concert, Vermilion’s Woollybear Festival, Chapel Hill Mall, Carols on the Green, Hudson Holiday Walk, St. Barnabas Christmas Concert, Hudson Library Holiday Concert and our annual Teddy Bear Picnic Children's Concert.

The Music  

The band plays a wide variety of music including marches, overtures, transcriptions, classical, contemporary, instrumental/vocal solos, Broadway show tunes, jazz, popular and patriotic music.  We feature instrumental soloists, vocal soloists and ensembles from within the band membership.

Rehearsals

The WRCB rehearses Thursday nights from 7:00p - 8:30p at Hudson Middle School located at 77 South Oviatt Street in Hudson, Ohio. Membership is open to all adults without audition. (Map)

Contact Us

For more information, contact Director Ralph Meyer at 330-656-5113 (wrcband@windstream.net)  or Band President Jim Virost at wrcband@windstream.net.

Frequently Asked Questions

Download the FAQ PDF document Here

Q. When was the WRCB Founded?
A. 1997

Q. Who Founded the WRCB?
A. Dave Bucey and Ralph Meyer

Q. Who Conducts the WRCB?
A. Ralph Meyer

Q. Who are the Assistant Conductors of WRCB?
A. Ken Granville and Ed Wiles

Q. Where does the WRCB Rehearse at?
A. Hudson Middle School Band Room. (77 N. Oviatt Street, Hudson, OH  44236)

Q. What evenings do you rehearse on?
A. Thursday nights

Q. What time is the Rehearsal?
A. 7:30PM till 9:00PM

Q. What is the status of the WRCB?
A. 501(c)(3) non profit organization

Q. How does the WRCB get funding?
A. Individual donations, Grants, Honorariums, Sponsorship, Gifts

Q. What kind of expenses does the WRCB incur?
A. Climate controlled Storage facility for Music Library Music. Equipment (music stands, chairs, percussion, stand lights, folders)

Q. What kind of instrumentations does the WRCB have/want?
A. Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet/Coronet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba, Percussion.

Q. Does the WRCB have any business meetings?
A. Yes. The last Thursday in September is the WRBC business meeting. Officers are elected for the upcoming year/season.

Q. How long is your season?
A. Our season runs from October thru September.

Q. How many concerts do you play in a season?
A. Approximately 9 to 12 performances. (Holiday Concert in December, Spring Concert in late March or early April, Hudson Memorial Day Parade in May, Hudson Ice Cream Social in June, Possible Patriotic Concert in July, Independence Village concert in mid July, Hudson Summer Music Festival in Early August, Taste of Hudson Concert Labor Day Weekend, Teddy Bear Picnic Children's Concert third Sunday in September.)

Q. What are the attendance requirements?
A. There is no specific attendance policy - family and jobs come first. Most members make most rehearsals. Most members use common courtesy to let the conductor know if unavailable for a performance. members are asked to let their section leaders know if unavailable.

Q. Will I have to audition?
A. No audition is required. We expect each member to realistically place her/himself within a section where she/he is comfortable and where she/he will make the most valuable contribution to the overall musical benefit of the band. Directors reserve the right to suggest and advise placement to adjust balance and technical requirements.

Q. How do you seat your musicians?
A. Seating is determined by the conductor & section leader. The conductor expects the section to work out part rotation and coverage.

Q. What does it cost to join WRCB?
A. Membership in the WRCB is offered through the Hudson Community Education and Recreation for an annual registration fee of $30.

Q. How do I get to the concerts?
A. Members provide their own transportation to concert sites. Car-pooling is recommended. A bus may be chartered for distant performances.

Q. Do I have to bring a music stand?
A. Music stands are provided for regular rehearsals and concerts. It's also a good idea to have clothespins or other clips to keep your music from blowing away during outdoor concerts.

Q. What does the band wear in concert?
A. We wear one of our two "uniforms" to our performances. Specified concerts: All Black (shoes, socks, pants, slacks, long skirt, blouse, shirt) Summer concerts, parade: sneakers, jeans and white (or band) shirts