The Georgia Brass Band was conceived by co-founders Joe Johnson and Christopher Priest in the spring of 1999 over lunch at a Chinese restaurant. While lamenting the absence of a regular brass band in the area they simply decided to form one. Some notes were jotted down on a napkin and a string of phone calls to friends and colleagues ensued. The group met for the first time just several weeks later. The band performed its first concert in September of that year and has maintained a very busy schedule ever since.

Although the personnel has changed considerably over the years, several of the original players are still in the group today, having been well and truly bitten by the Brass Band bug. Band members are selected by audition or invitation and include some of the finest musicians in the Atlanta area. All members and staff volunteer their time and talents to the band. The band members represent a variety of professions, including lawyers, doctors, salespeople, business owners, educators, students, analysts, computer professionals, freelance musicians, a college vice president, a real estate agent, a caterer, an engineer, a financial planner, and even a pipe organ builder. And while their backgrounds may vary, all members share a love for playing their instruments and making good music together.

 The band’s repertoire is quite diverse and ranges from the Renaissance and Baroque to the 21st century. The library is full of marches, sacred arrangements, popular music, jazz tunes, movie themes, and classical transcriptions. Additionally we perform a number of challenging concert selections and contest items written specifically for brass band. The band’s versatile combination of instruments can produce a variety of tonal colors and sounds at home in nearly any style of music.