The purpose of this study was to create a profile of adult community band members in Central Ohio. Specifically, this study sought to describe the musical background of community band participants and their overall demographic information. Further, participants’ reasons for participating in their respective community band organization, and what they reported as being the purpose(s) of their community band were examined. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to a selected group of community bands in Central Ohio. From this population, a total of 128 completed questionnaires were collected. Data were collected pertaining to respondents’ previous participation in musical activities, adults’ involvement in and perceptions about community bands, and demographic information including age, gender, and marital status, as well as educational background.
Results of the study indicated that high school was the level of the greatest diversity and frequency of participation in musical activities. Results also indicated that Central Ohio adults participate in community bands for their own pleasure, out of love for music, and to fulfill the need to express themselves musically. Respondents indicated that unless short, the distance traveled to rehearse/perform in community band did not affect their decision to participate. Those respondents with children living at home reported that factor as an influence on their decision to participate in community band.
Central Ohio adults reported enjoying performing on their instrument and group performance most at the adult level. Results also indicated that personality of the director, the type and quality of music selected for performance, the ability of the group, and the group’s rehearsal schedule were important factors in their decision to participate in one community band over another.