Frequently Asked Questions:
Blowcomotion is a Community Brass Band and Learning Workshop. We welcome adults of all musical abilities. We believe that you can always dust off that old tuba from high school, learn a new instrument, or pick up music for the first time entirely.
Our mission is to help adults have fun through music in a fun, supportive, relaxed environment.
We are Blowcomotion, a nonprofit brass band workshop for ages 18 and up. We teach people to play and join in the fun of music making in the Honk! and brass band community.
We love to create fun performances wherever we go and make people smile.
Blowcomotion grew out of a series of community-music workshops held by Minor Mishap Marching Band in 2018 – eventually becoming one of Austin’s exciting musical groups – a brass band open to everyone, no matter their level of musical experience, financial means or background – providing an instrument lending library and professional instructors for percussion, low brass, high brass, and reeds.
Blowcomotion is open to adult players of all levels. Come every week, or once a month - there is no commitment. There are no auditions or assigning of "chairs".
Anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to join! We do not discriminate based on race, sex, gender, disability, age (as long as you are an adult over the age of 18), color, religion, relationship status, LGBTQIA+ status, economic status, etc.
Blowcomotion members must be 18 or over to play with us. This is mostly for liability reasons.
A little bit of everything! Honk/Brass band standards, New Orleans second line, traditional jazz, pop, funk, soul, Latin, disco, current hits... you name it!
Absolutely!! Also, we do not expect auditions nor do we have "chairs" - we invite you to join us, and even if you can just play a few notes the first time, you're playing with us!
Yes! We have several professional instructors who can help you get started.
Not true! Anyone can do it. We have several members who started their musical journey in their 40's, 50's and 60’s.
Come to a rehearsal and we will let you test different instruments! We have a few loaner instruments that we can let you try out.
NOTE: Please contact us in advance prior to rehearsal date to be certain that we will have the instrument available, as Blowcomotion has a limited library of items and also to ensure the instrument is brought to rehearsal.
We can also help you choose an instrument to play. We offer low-cost $5.00/month instrument rental that is easy to set up at Patreon.
Yes! Anyone with any instrument can join, although we mainly have sheet music for brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Generally, any instrument that can be mobile is welcome as we do not use amplification or microphones.
Most of our arrangements and our instruction are for traditional marching band instruments. But if you can play it while walking, and it doesn’t require electricity, you can try it. Maybe not the bagpipes though.
Yes! Blowcomotion plays at various public events and venues around Austin, and beyond. Check out our performance calendar at https://blowcomotion.org/ or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blowcomotion/
We’re also available for weddings, funerals/life celebrations, second line, and private parties.
Please send us a message using the Booking form to discuss availability and rates.
Nothing!!! We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to bringing music education to the people of Austin. We realized that after graduation, not many adults have the opportunity to learn an instrument. So here we are!
We do rely on donations and grants to keep our organization running and to pay our instructors a fair wage. Any donations would be much appreciated!
We ask for a voluntary donation of $5-$10 per person each week to help pay our instructors.
We also make it easy to set up an automatic bank deduction with Patreon, PayPal and Venmo.
We practice most Tuesday nights from 7-9pm. The first hour is a section workshop led by our professional instructors. The second hour we all come together and rehearse as a band.
We currently practice at Shipe Park, Avenue F at 45th Street on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m.
Check our website https://blowcomotion.org to find any updates or please email info@blowcomotion.org if it's raining to check on rehearsal location as we do have indoor options for poor weather conditions.
Not at all! Come to a rehearsal and introduce yourself. We have so many friendly members that you will get to know! Or better yet, bring a friend with you to test it out!
Walk right up and talk to us! We love to meet folks. Sign up to join our Google Group. Or find us at:
No! We accept all levels, from beginner to advanced. We have instructors who can help get you playing in no time!
Blowcomotion is a board-run organization comprised of band members and volunteers from the public.
Board positions include President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and five Directors - the full board currently consists of 9 members.
Elections are held every May, interested parties should contact a current board member for more information.
We'd love to have you bring your time and talents to fruition for Blowcomotion!
Ideal Board members will bring diverse perspectives, passion for our mission and connections/networks that can support rapid growth. Estimated time commitment 3-5 hours per month, usually held virtually on Sundays.
We encourage those who are interested to attend 1-2 meetings to observe how they are run. The annual elections for officers take place during the May meeting.
This position will require involvement in at least one Committee and fundraising efforts. Interested parties should contact a current board member for more information.
Love to create? Know about writing grants? Willing to help mentor new members of Blowcomotion and show them the ropes? Know how to compose music? Enjoy wrangling pixels and code? Social media is your passion? Photographer or video creator?
We have the spot for you to bring your time and talents to help keep our merry band moving forward!
Duties: grant writing, fundraising events, Patreon, merchandise sales, and other fundraising efforts.
- Curriculum Committee
Duties: music library/songbook (repertoire), workshops, musical/educational philosophy, new student resources.
- Student Experience Committee
Duties: New student experience (welcome committee/onboarding, student resources, mentor program), instrument rentals, student engagement.
Duties: Social media, website, merchandise.