The new year brings us a new banner - 2 of them actually, one each for Black & Red Band.  Plus we'll have tall wind banners at our concert sites for all sit down concerts.

Sure, the AOSFB members are still at home and packing....but that doesn't  mean it's quiet for the staff or at Rhodes Center.

Jim "Tank" Esswein and Mr. Santa-Emma continue to work on music.  Mr. Santa-Emma has brought back a few pieces from the library, added a few of his selections and welcomed new suggestions from the music staff.  We understand that Mr. Dodd has a piece or two that worked well for his band at West Holmes that you might hear at the Fair this year.  Thanks to Dakota Parrish and Alumni Committee Member, Andy Brubaker for assisting Tank in the monumental task of putting the music folders together.

Meanwhile, Lisa, Ed & Megan Gallagher along with Melissa Spangler and Jennifer McDowell took on the annual task of assigning bunks, labeling bunk tags, and prepping the parent packets.  It took just under 3 hours to assign bunks to each band member.  It may sound easy, but the staff takes health concerns, instrument, veteran status and more when placing each member in their bunk.

Cleaning day takes place tomorrow and it has become an annual tradition for the staff, alums, friends and even current members.  We'll be at Rhodes Center at 12:15 with pizza and we'll begin the cleaning shortly after with the plan to wrap-up no later than 4pm.  By then the mattresses will be cleaned, bunks tagged, the rooms shined up and the office ready to go!  Come on down and join us for some fun.

The AOSFB is headed to the City of Ashland this year.....mark your calendar for Thursday, August 6 @ 8pm when the Band plays at the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell.

Directed by Donald F. Santa-Emma since 1998 and founded in 1925, the band is made up of musicians from throughout Ohio. This special event is sponsored by Ashland Bicentennial Committee to honor the formation of the Band shell’s concert series. The band’s last appearance here was July 31, 2003 when Louis E. “Doc” Pete, Ashland’s Mr. Music, influential musician and beloved music teacher, was again honored for his past contributions to Ashland’s music scene and  the construction of the Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell. This performance is a wonderful addition to our series in celebration of Ashland’s Bicentennial. Special thanks to Larry Hiner.

Enjoy the day by listening to The Stars and Stripes Forever as performed by the All-Ohio State Fair Band.

As you may know, the DiSalle Center and the former Model Train/Heritage Crafts Buildings have been torn down to be replaced with a 100,000+ square foot exhibit hall building.  As you can imagine, the results of the loss of space has created a domino effect for numerous events!

This largest change for the AOSFB is that the Rhodes Center Auditorium, our rehearsal home for decades, will not be available as it will be used for Fine Arts and Arts & Craft Displays that used to be in DiSalle. Flexibility is key at the Fair so the Band is going on the road for every rehearsal.  Our new home will be in the Buckeye Building.  Most recently the building has been used as The Buckeye Sports Complex and years ago it housed exhibitors and many state agencies.

Everyday we'll be marching to and from rehearsal as we get prepped for the 2015 Ohio State Fair.

The final instructions have been mailed to all members in good standing for the 2015 All-Ohio State Fair Band. Members and parents should spend some time reading the information and schedule that was enclosed.  There are numerous changes and tweaks to the way we have done many things over the years......many exciting things on the horizon for  AOSFB '15!

Click here for the final instructions.