Join the Gainesville Ruckus!

About 20 years ago, a community marching/street band was formed by a group of wind-instrument-playing dreamers in Gainesville. We wore thrifted green outfits and called ourselves the Gainesville Radical Ruckus (GRR!) and we rehearsed at Roper Park and in each other's living rooms. The Ruckus came and went over the years with revivals when it felt needed, appearing at events and street protests to bring music and playfulness to our community.

A few of us have decided to bring the Ruckus back, and Heartwood has offered to host practices free of charge as long as folks buy a drink from Heartwood's bar during practice to help pay for the cost of opening the space!

Do you play a wind instrument or drums and would you be interested in joining? Show up!

Do you know someone who'd be really into this? Send them this link!

The plan is a low commitment monthly rehearsal. We are more interested in quantity of players than quality. Just come over with your instrument and be willing to learn new music with us. We will pick sheet music from various genres for an opportunity to dust off your horns and reeds and strings etc. and re-live the oft abandoned experience of reading and interpreting sheet music in a large symphonic group (which we've all secretly missed since high school, am I right or am I right?)

There are a few guidelines:

-Bring your own instrument, all instruments welcome but brass, woodwinds, and marching drums especially encouraged.

-You do need a very basic proficiency with your instrument to participate (be able to play and find notes on your instrument) we won't have time to teach you how to play your instrument.

-This event is organized by adults, and alcohol (as well as NA options) will be served at the bar, but youth are also welcome to join if they are accompanied by an adult guardian.

-We will start our first rehearsal by digging into the Brass Liberation Orchestra's version of Bella Ciao. Sheet music can be found here if you'd like to check it out or print it in advance. We will provide some extra copies and some music stands at rehearsal. Video below for some inspiration.