Best Areas in the US for the Hobbyist Musician ?

[J.Harris]

Hey Folks, I may be in the position to relocate in the next few years and was wondering if there are any especially vibrant locales in the US for music-making. I currently live in Northeast Florida and even though there are a few groups in the area to perform with, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of performance opportunities. If you could comment about the music scene in your locale or if you know of a particularly active area, I think that would be interesting. Thanks!

[NCSUSousa]

If you're talking about non-paid music making by tuba players, things are very much alive here in the 'Research Triangle' (Raleigh, Durham, Cary and surrounding communities) of NC. Both auditioned, competitive bands and just for fun groups (that play often) too.

See the link in my signature, our community band tries to keep the link page up to date that points to other local groups. A few of our members play in multiple groups.

As a tuba player, I think I could join more than one if I had the time.

[Polkahero]

I can think of 5 community bands within 30 minutes of where I live that a tuba player with modest skills would be welcomed with open arms.

[hup_d_dup]

I think this is really a question about population density. I live in northern NJ and belong to 3 community bands, a brass band, and two quintets. There are many, many other choices I have within reasonable distance.

I have been considering moving out of the state due to the cost of living and one of the first things I research in other locations is the number of local musical groups. The more rural the area the fewer the choices. None of the places I'm interesting in living has anything close to the opportunities here. I will probably end up driving long distances and still not have as many groups to choose from.

Hup

[scottw]

I think this is really a question about population density. I live in northern NJ and belong to 3 community bands, a brass band, and two quintets. There are many, many other choices I have within reasonable distance.

I have been considering moving out of the state due to the cost of living and one of the first things I research in other locations is the number of local musical groups. The more rural the area the fewer the choices. None of the places I'm interesting in living has anything close to the opportunities here. I will probably end up driving long distances and still not have as many groups to choose from.

Hup

As a half-way measure, consider moving to S. Jersey. Compared to Tewksbury, cost of living is much improved! Where I am located [20 minutes from PHL or center city Philly], there are many opportunities in community bands , orchestras and ensembles on just this side of the river.

[J.Harris]

I think this is really a question about population density. I live in northern NJ and belong to 3 community bands, a brass band, and two quintets. There are many, many other choices I have within reasonable distance.

I think this has to do with "cultural density" as well. I live near a huge population center (Jacksonville, FL) but yet there is surprisingly little going on culturally, as far as instrumental music goes. I was hoping to pinpoint some really culturally dense areas to research. Someplace that has a lot going on and is diverse as well.

Anyone from the pacific northwest or the southwest care to comment?

[Schteeve]

There are many bands and orchestras in the Seattle area from anyone-is-welcome community bands to audition-required semi-pro orchestras to professional ensembles. There are probably 6-12 community groups within a 45 minute drive from my home where an amateur tubist of modest skill would be welcome.

[bort]

New York City is a land of great opportunity. I did far more there than I ever did in Baltimore.

[opus37]

I've been able to find opportunities to play everywhere I have moved. It takes some work to find your way in, but once that happens, you have multiple opportunities. I find it a bit curious that you would choose as your primary criteria for a place to move, opportunities to play in community bands. Most people choose, taxes/cost of living, climate, family or health as the deciding factors.

[Three Valves]

There is little Polka or Um-pa going on in DC Metro.

Just a bunch of that hi-brow junk.

[TubaRay]

There is little Polka or Um-pa going on in DC Metro.
Just a bunch of that hi-brow junk.

Say it isn't so!

[Yane]

No Polka in DC?

Fairfax is a little ways out, but.... http://www.fairfaxband.org/ensembles/german.php

[J.Harris]

I find it a bit curious that you would choose as your primary criteria for a place to move, opportunities to play in community bands. Most people choose, taxes/cost of living, climate, family or health as the deciding factors.

I find it curious that people make such assumptions based on a simple Tubenet post. I never stated that this was the "primary criteria" in choosing a location in which to settle, but I find no harm in acquiring information regarding the arts community in areas which are of interest. If you find that your lifestyle is enhanced by participating in musical ensembles, then logic dictates that you should try to live somewhere where such opportunities exist. This is a music forum, right? If you're favorite recreational activity is saltwater fishing, I would think that you may choose to live on or reasonably near the coast. Yes?
Thanks to all who have responded thus far.

[bort]

I find it curious... (just kidding).

What makes it difficult to answer is the complete open-ended nature of the question. If there are a few options (even just regions you DO or DON'T want to consider), you might get more (and more helpful) answers. It's not common that people want to move, and have a blank slate of where they might consider going. It's happened to me, so I can relate to it... but I don't think it's common.

In general, for "opportunity" in general, I think the bigger the city, the better. And you also don't want to be in the only large city for hundreds of miles, then you end up with oversaturated markets.

[Three Valves]

No Polka in DC?

Fairfax is a little ways out, but.... http://www.fairfaxband.org/ensembles/german.php

Worth the trip!!

I keep my eye out for Rockville Band info too.

I love an excuse to drink beer in the afternoon!!

[Three Valves]

"hobbyist" = "three valves" ...??

It's much more than that.

It's a lifestyle.

It's an attitude!!

[tubacharlie]

Lansing MI.
The Lansing area has many fine community bands as well as the Michigan State University Community Music School. There are 7 community bands which all but 1 do not require auditions. There is also one community orchestra in the area. The Lansing area enjoys a very supportive community band and music community.

Tuba Charlie

[ScottM]

I play in the Lansing Concert Band and it is a solid musical organization. There are a couple other local groups, too. There are a number of cities in Michigan that have fine concert bands.
ScottM

[Radar]

Here in Rochester NY (a medium size City) and the surrounding suburbs, there are many Community musical Groups; Concert Bands, Orchestras, Big Bands, etc. As well as fire department sponsored marching bands that all give concerts throughout the area. One of the things that helps our community is having two great Music School in the area. Eastman has many Community programs including a big New Horizon Program aimed at getting seniors involved in music. There is also the Hochstein Music School which offers private lessons, and class lessons in music theory. Although there are lots of groups in the area to play with here for free, opportunities for paying performances are limited and usually go to Eastman Students and faculty.

[MaryAnn]

Tucson has quite a few amateur groups; some are raising their levels and sort of weeding out the less competent. A couple are led by aging conductors and may not be around for very much longer depending on the health of those people. The British style brass band is always looking for people to play treble clef tuba parts. One of the orchestras, which is more pops-oriented, often needs a tuba player. I have played in that one and in the more classically oriented one, and the pops one had great parts. One of the higher level concert bands that would require a higher level player, often is bereft of *reliable* tuba players.

I'll put my own criteria: I am looking for a location where I would be accepted with pro level musical/ensemble skills (not on tuba at this point) and lesser capability of producing highest level physical playing, BUT in a climate where I could have windows open year-round. That should narrow the criteria considerably, huh? For the guy who thought the question too wide open. I fully understand the openness of the question and think it a great approach, for receiving ideas that would never have arrived without that openness.

MA