Community bands are ensembles of woodwind, brass, and percussion players that typically hold regular rehearsals, perform independent concerts, and play at the invitation of local civic or nonprofit organizations. Participants in these bands may range in age from teens to retirees and have a variety of cultural and vocational backgrounds; they receive no monetary compensation and participate voluntarily because they enjoy music-making. Many adult band members have played in concert or marching bands during their school days, and some may be learning new instruments as a leisure activity. Community bands thus provide social and musical activities for their members and entertainment and cultural enrichment for their communities.
Community bands have been part of musical life in North Alabama for many years. The Huntsville Concert Band and New Horizons Band of Huntsville celebrate this long tradition by hosting BandFest 2026, a Community Band Festival, on November 1, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM in the David A. Chan Theatre of The Sandra Moon Performing Arts Center, 7901 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville 35803.
Admission to BandFest 2026 is free, and tickets are not required.
Participating bands:
New Horizons Band of Huntsville – 2:00 PM
https://huntsvilleband.org/new-horizons-band-of-huntsville/
Madison Community Band – 2:45 PM
https://m-c-b.org/
Cullman Community Band – 3:30 PM
https://sites.google.com/view/cullmancommunityband
Huntsville Concert Band – 4:15 PM
https://huntsvilleband.org