Community Ensembles in San Diego County, CA
One thing I regularly talk to people about are the community bands in the San Diego area. I wish band programs and music teachers did a much better job advertising these ensembles because there are many people who want to continue playing an instrument as a hobby after they’re done with school, but they don’t know where to go/if they can go anywhere to play their instrument as part of an ensemble as an adult. I’ve seen numerous adults quit playing an instrument because they tried to do it on their own but couldn’t stay motivated, and understandably so. There hasn’t really been a list made in recent times to reflect the community band scene, but since I have a website now, I might as well make one.
I’m going to try and make this list as comprehensive as I can possibly can make it, but there’s probably not going to be too much structure to it. These bands can vary wildly in regards to their performance schedule, their level of musicianship, their attendance policy, etc., but there are a few common threads among these bands:
They normally don’t pay their players; they’re volunteer organizations
Many of them don’t have formal auditions; this is especially true of those who are geared towards adults that haven’t played their instrument in years/decades
Though some of these groups are technically associated with a university/community college, the vast majority of members are not students of the related academic institution (there are some notable exceptions to this, but that’ll likely be a separate list)
Some of these ensembles are offended by the term “community band”; that term carries the connotation of not having a particularly high level of musicianship, which may or may not be true depending on the ensemble
Some of them have websites; some don’t; most of the ones that do have websites don’t regularly update them
If you have an interest in joining a particular ensemble, it’s always a good idea to contact a member/the director of the group beforehand
If they’re good enough, many of these community bands will allow students to play
If there’s a group that’s not on this list that you would like for me to add, send me an email at connorthetrumpetist@gmail.com and give me some details about the group. If the group has a website or any kind of social media, links to that would be appreciated. On to the list:
Coastal Communities Concert Band (Wind Band): This band has been around for awhile and has been pretty good throughout that entire time. They rehearse on Monday nights in Encinitas. I’ve subbed in this group from time-to-time. I would not recommend this group to someone who just started playing their instrument again after a years-long hiatus.
Website: https://cccband.com/
North County Winds (Wind Band): I’ve been a member of this band for several years. They rehearse on Thursday nights in the Poway area. I wouldn’t recommend this group to beginners.
Website: https://ncwinds.org/
Kearny Mesa Concert Band (Wind Band): I sat in on a rehearsal once back in 2023, but I don’t remember much about this band. They rehearse in Kearny Mesa (who would’ve guessed) on Tuesday nights. As it states on their website, they don’t require auditions, so even if it’s been awhile since you last played in an ensemble, this band is willing to have you.
Website: https://www.kearnymesaconcertband.com/
Pomerado Community Band (Wind Band): I never sat in with this band, so I don’t know much about them. They rehearse on Wednesday nights in Poway.
Website: https://pomeradoband.org/
San Diego City Guard Band (Wind Band): I don’t know much about this band either, but they rehearse on Tuesday nights in Balboa park.
Website: https://sdcityguardband.org/
San Diego Concert Band (Wind Band): I don’t know much about this band, but they rehearse on Thursday evenings in La Mesa.
Website: https://sandiegoconcertband.org/
Pacific Coast Concert Band (Wind Band): I sat in on a rehearsal with this band once, but that was awhile ago, and they’ve changed directors since then. They rehearse on Thursday nights in San Marcos.
Website: https://www.pccband.org/?page_id=71
Coronado Concert Band (Wind Band): I don’t know anything about them. I can’t even find out what day they rehearse, but they’re located in Coronado.
Website: https://www.coronadoconcertband.org/about
Hillcrest Wind Ensemble (Wind Ensemble): I’ve heard they’re pretty good, and from what I understand, the ensemble keeps instrumentation to one-on-a-part. They rehearse on Monday nights in Bay Park.
Website: https://www.hillcrestwindensemble.com/join
Villa Musica Ensembles (Wind Ensemble and Orchestra); SUMMER ONLY: I’ve heard that these ensembles are very good, but you have to audition for them, and they’re only during the summer time.
Website: https://villamusica.org/vmso/
North Coast Symphony Orchestra (Full Orchestra): I’ve subbed in this ensemble a few times. They rehearse on Tuesday nights in Encinitas.
Website: https://www.northcoastsymphony.com/join-ncso.html
Poway Symphony Orchestra (Full Orchestra): I don’t know anything about this ensemble either. They rehearse on Monday nights in Poway.
Website: https://www.powaysymphonyorchestra.org/home
Greater San Diego Music Coterie (Full Orchestra?): I’m clueless about this ensemble as well. They rehearse on Tuesday nights near Balboa Park.
Website: https://gsdmusicoterie.org/about-us/chamber-orchestra/
Finest City Wind Orchestra (Wind Ensemble): This ensemble can only be called a community band in the strictest sense of the word. I prefer to describe it as a semi-professional wind ensemble. They are typically one to a part - very little doubling/the sections are small - and they are very picky with their players. You can ask to join, but most people get in by being invited. They rehearse on Tuesday nights, but they only hold 4 rehearsals before a concert (they don’t rehearse year-round).
Website: https://www.finestmusic.org/fcwo
Finest City Brass Ensemble (Brass and Percussion): Under the same organization as the FCWO, this ensemble only uses brass and percussion, but the sections are generally a fair bit bigger. It’s of a similar level of musicianship compared to the Wind Orchestra, so they’re still very picky with their players. They will typically hold 5 rehearsals before a concert (they don’t rehearse year-round).