Greater Miami Symphonic Band

“The band made my heart jump with joy, and my soul received large doses of the good music it was missing!”

— Rolando Ochoa

Through the years, community bands have been a principal exponent of American musical culture at the grassroots level, playing for social and ceremonial occasions in bandstands, town halls, and auditoriums. Community bands provide a means for continued musical expression by thousands of talented performers and an important cultural source for audience members.

In 1979, keeping with the spirit of this great American tradition, South Florida-based musicians founded the Greater Miami Community Concert Band, Inc. (dba Greater Miami Symphonic Band). The band’s mission was, and continues to be, to provide audiences with high-quality symphonic band music, to highlight the diversity of wind band repertoire in performance, and to give regional musicians a gratifying artistic experience. Concerts often feature guest conductors, composers, and soloists, who travel from around the country to perform with the talented, growing ensemble.

Comprised of a diverse group of community members who volunteer their time and talents to the band, GMSB musicians share a common dedication to the study, performance, and support of great music. Public performances at both concert halls and outdoor locations give South Florida residents a connection to the beautiful and wide-ranging symphonic band literature. 

“The music is absolutely wonderful! Everyone should hear this band.”

— Max Mayfield

This season the Greater Miami Symphonic Band will perform eight concerts in various venues in South Florida, including Gusman Hall at UM, the Banyan Bowl at Pinecrest Gardens, Kendall United Methodist Church, and the Biltmore Hotel. The concerts are entertaining and educational, with thoughtful programming and carefully prepared announcer notes. 

The Gusman Hall concerts are evening concerts typically 90 minutes long with intermission. The Pinecrest Gardens concerts are afternoon family concerts 80 minutes long (or less), with lighter fare appropriate for children (of all ages). The Solo and Chamber Concert presented at Kendall United Methodist Church in Pinecrest gives the members of the band the opportunity to participate--and our audience the opportunity to enjoy--smaller groups and solos. Our season concludes with a two-hour concert of patriotic music preceding the fireworks at the City of Coral Gables Fourth of July celebration at the Biltmore Hotel.