Overview

The Verona Area Concert Bands (VACB) organization consists of two bands. Each band has a weekly two-hour rehearsal, and the bands perform four joint concerts each year. Both bands perform repertoire that represents diverse styles and composers in the wind band repertoire, from classics like the Holst Suites to contemporary pieces by new composers. Performing members are expected to regularly attend rehearsals, and both bands have opportunities for musicians to join the sub list to stay involved during concert cycles when they have limited availability.

• Four concerts each year (typically October, February, May, and August) on Thursday nights
• Weekly two-hour rehearsals
• Our Concerts page lists repertoire from all of our past performances

There are four ways for musicians to be involved with VACB.

Concert Band

VACB Concert Band rehearses on Tuesday nights and is open to all musicians without an audition. Sign-up is required to play in Concert Band and is on a per-concert basis. Performing musicians are asked to commit to attend almost all rehearsals and to perform in the concert. We’ve designed Concert Band sign-ups to be flexible so musicians can take a concert cycle off when their availability is limited. During the 2024-2025 season, Concert Band averaged 85-95 performers per concert.

Concert Band Performer

• Tuesday night rehearsals
• No audition required
• Commit to attend almost all rehearsals and perform in the concert
• Sign-up per concert (quarterly)
• New members join at the beginning of a concert cycle
• Take a concert off when your availability is limited (consider signing up to sub instead)
• No caps on sign-ups for the 2025-2026 season

Concert Band Sub

• Cover planned and last-minute rehearsal absences
• No audition required
• Sign-up per concert (quarterly)

Wind Symphony

VACB Wind Symphony rehearses on Thursday nights. Membership in Wind Symphony is open to musicians by audition which allows the ensemble to perform challenging repertoire at a very high level. To ensure balanced instrumentation, Wind Symphony is limited to about 60 performers. Performers are asked to commit to perform in all 4 concerts in the season (exceptions will be considered on an individual basis.)

Wind Symphony Performer

• Thursday night rehearsals
• Members are selected by audition
• Commit to a season of 4 concerts
• Commit to attend almost all rehearsals and to perform in the concert

Wind Symphony Sub

• Cover planned and last-minute rehearsal absences
• May have the opportunity to move into a performer spot for a concert cycle, if needed
• Subs are selected by audition

Ready to Get Involved?

Join our musicians list to tell us about yourself and to receive information about upcoming opportunities to get involved, including:

• Concert Band sign-up information. This information is typically sent in August, October, January (about one month prior to the start of the concert cycle.)
• Periodic information about Wind Symphony sub list and performer auditions
• Upcoming Concert Announcements

Information for Current Performers

Missing a Rehearsal

If you will miss a rehearsal that you didn’t mark “Can’t Attend” on the concert registration form, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing attendance@vacbmusic.org.

Concerts

Schedule Changes Due to Extreme Weather

Occasionally, extreme weather affects our planned schedule. We will communicate any schedule changes through email.

If the Verona Area School District cancels school or evening activities, VACB rehearsals and concerts are also cancelled. You can find information about school closings on the VASD homepage and on local TV and online media.

Member Dues

Your member dues cover many costs:

• Renting our rehearsal and performance spaces
• Music purchase and rental
• Percussion and other equipment rental
• Performance rights for the music we perform
• Concert posters and programs
• Folders, paper, toner, and supplies

Member dues can be paid any time before the concert. You can pay online, or you can pay at rehearsal using mobile payment, credit card, cash, or check.

Don’t worry if you forget; we’ll send you a friendly reminder.

If member dues are not affordable for you, please reach out to us. We want to make VACB accessible for everyone.