Syracuse University Brass Ensemble: Statement of Mission and Expectations

September 15, 2006

Who are we? The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble is an American brass choir composed of excellent amateur players from around Central New York.

Name and History: The group was founded in 1988 as an outreach to community musicians by two faculty members at Syracuse University, Dr. Robert Spradling director of bands and Chemistry Professor Dr. Jim Spencer. The College of Arts and Sciences has sponsored the group for a number of years as its “Ensemble in Residence”. The group practices Mondays form 7:30 to 9:30 PM at Hendricks Chapel on the University quad. The group is composed of faculty and staff from the university as well as many other educational and governmental institutions and businesses from around the area. The group plays for several official university functions and offers about 15 concerts a year at venues around the region. The group has played and competed nationally and won its division at the North American Brass Band Association competitions in 2001 and 2002.

Mission: The mission of the Syracuse University Brass Ensemble is to provide a performance group for outstanding brass and percussion instrumentalists, and though its performances, provide service to Syracuse University and brass and percussion music fans throughout the region.

Leadership. Our conductor and artistic director, Dr. James T. Spencer, leads the group. The band has a board of directors that provides support and planning assistance to the artistic director. Board meetings are open to all band members and members are encouraged to provide suggestions. This is a volunteer organization. After an initial start up, board members will serve 3-year terms. Board members can run for re-election. The board is elected at annual meeting in June. Those interested in serving should contact the Chair of the Board. The Board will serve as nominating committee.

Membership: The group is currently composed of about 35 members. We often are interested in adding new members to the group, but ask that instrumentalists who are interested in joining should not come to a rehearsal without first contacting the artistic director. Following is the procedure for obtaining membership. Provisional membership will be offered to those who are willing to make a commitment and who meet the approval the section leader and artistic director after playing in at least two rehearsals. Section leaders are the artistic leaders of each section and are appointed by the artistic director. Provisional members may be offered a regular seat after one semester. Balance among parts is more important than strict numbers. The artistic director in consultation with the section leader will determine ongoing section membership, section placement, and part assignment for each piece.

Responsibilities of Members: Attendance at all rehearsals and concerts is expected. All band members are expected to be available to help set up, take down, transport heavy percussion equipment, serve on committees, or serve on the board as they are able. Players are expected to arrive early for rehearsals and performances to warm up and help set up so that these will start on time. If you cannot make a rehearsal or performance, notify both the director and section leader in a timely fashion. The performance schedule is made up a year in advance so at least one-month notice is expected prior to non-attendance at a performance.

Dress Code for concerts: Male players should wear a black tuxedo or black suit, black shoes and black socks, a solid color white shirt and a black bow tie. New members may purchase a blue group polo shirt for occasional informal performances and meetings. Female players should wear black or black and white as is appropriate for professional performers.

Cancellation policy: Section leaders will contact members and we will make announcements on local radio and television and on our website.

Committees and their purpose in brief:

• Development: develop concert schedule, assist artistic director in planning individual events: Brenda Conley chair.
• Publicity: promote events, focus on press releases for print and electronic media: Greenwald chair, Sponsler, LaPoint, Rice.
• Executive: composed of entire board. Carries out board functions, serves as nominating committee. Chair McDivitt
• Finance: keeps checkbook, handles financial transactions and keeps books, collects dues: Hill chair, Millian
• Librarian/Archivist: takes photos, keeps history, assist JS in keeping library: Rice, Millian, Freuhan.

Board Terms: Members must either rotate off the board in June of their “class year” or be re-elected to another term.

Class of 2006: Brenda Conley, Jim Greenwald, and Tom Quirk; Class of 2007: Mike Sponsler, Craig Elwood, and Jim Spencer; Class of 2008: John McDivitt, Charlotte Hill, and Marice Stith.