Performer Details
Performer Bio Synopsis
Founded in 1978, The Grand Rapids Symphonic Band is a premier auditioned adult community band that fosters excellence in performance, supports instrumental music as a lifelong experience, and contributes to the enrichment of cultural life in the greater Grand Rapids area.
The GRSB’s mission incorporates the following objectives:
1. To provide artistically challenging and innovative band concerts.
2. To give our audiences, sponsors, and members experiences with the highest quality wind band music from a wide range of musical styles.
3. To support instrumental music education and lifelong music learning through programs including clinics, conferences, solo competitions, and outreach concerts.
4. To serve as an exemplary model in fostering the growth and development of community bands.
During the GRSB’s 47 year history, the Conductors have included:
Barry D. Martin, 2004-Present; Dr. John Stanley Ross, 1998-2003; Kennistan Bauman, 1988-1998; William Root, 1978-1988 (Founder).
Notable historic performances of the band include the following:
Michigan Music Conference, 2019 - Invitation by Audition; Red Cedar Band Festival, 2018 - Invitation by Audition; International Trumpet Guild, 2013 - Two Performances with Ten Different Internationally Known Soloists; Bands on the Grand Festival, 2013; Association of Concert Bands Annual Convention, 2010 - Invitation by Audition; Michigan Music Conference, 2007 - Invitation by Audition; Red Cedar Band Festival, 2005 - Invitation by Audition; American School Band Directors Association Annual Convention, 1996 - Invitation by Audition; Midwestern Conference on School Vocal and Instrumental Music, 1989; Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts, Every Year from 1978-2024 - Invitation by Audition.
Commissioned works by the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band include:
“Nightmare Variations on the Holst Suites” (consortium commission) by Michael Mikulka (GRSB presented the second public performance of this work in December 2024); “Distance Imagined” by Matthew Schoendorff, 2012; “Silver Fanfare” by Ryan Fraley, 2003; “Grand and Rapid” by David Wells, 2001; “Grand Rapids Suite” by John Zdechlik, 1990.
The GRSB presents an annual series of five to six concerts in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Outreach concerts are also part of the concert season, and have included venues in Muskegon, Rockford, South Haven, Hudsonville, Coopersville, Allendale, and Cedar Springs.
The GRSB is a diverse group of volunteer auditioned musicians including men and women of all ages and various careers. The membership is comprised of adults who want to continue playing their instruments after high school or college. The band members donate considerable time and effort throughout the year to make the GRSB a superb ensemble. Individual practice time, weekly group rehearsals, and performances put demands on the musicians’ already busy schedules. The band members understand and value the importance of lifelong learning in music and in contributing to the continuing music education of area high school students and the public. Their love of music and performing difficult music at an extremely artistic level is why the GRSB began and why it continues to flourish.
To further the mission of supporting music education in the area, the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band offers free admission to students, and a reduced-price ticket for an accompanying adult. The GRSB also manages an annual Youth Soloist Competition for high school students with a $1000 scholarship towards advanced music study.
An annual side by side rehearsal enables advanced students, recommended by local band directors, to gain some knowledge of playing in advanced bands and instrumental music as a lifelong experience.
Every two years, the band holds a Member Soloist Competition in which the winning band member performs a solo with the band.
During the past year the GRSB has established an endowment fund which enables member dues and ticket prices to be very reasonable in cost.
Grand Rapids Symphonic Band
Conductor's Bio
Barry D. Martin is Professor of Music and has served as Director of Bands and conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Grand Valley State University. His responsibilities at GVSU have included conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble/Chamber Winds, conducting the Concert Band and the GVSU Laker Marching Band. He has taught graduate and undergraduate conducting/repertoire and observed student teachers in the Department of Music. In addition, he has overseen all aspects of the band program, which grew from three ensembles totaling 110 students upon his arrival in 1994, to a program of over 475 students performing in seven ensembles in 2016. Since 2004 he has served as the Artistic Conductor/Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, an adult organization, which includes music educators and professional musicians from throughout the State of Michigan.
Professor Martin received his B.M. degree in Music Education from the University of Akron and his Masters of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. In 2016, Professor Martin was selected as the Music Director for the Michigan Ambassadors of Music. This ensemble of 320 high school students took a 16-day tour of Europe in July 2019 and performed in six different countries. In 2024, he was selected as the Music Director of the Michigan Musicians Abroad. This ensemble took 285 students back to Europe. In 2013, Martin was selected as the recipient of The University of Akron School of Music Distinguished Alumni Award for his outstanding service to music education. In 2010, he was honored by being selected for membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Martin is a member of the National Band Association and CBDNA. He also holds honorary memberships in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association, Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Tau Beta Sigma Band Fraternity, and Mu Phi Epsilon. Prior to joining the music faculty at GVSU, he served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Band at the University of Akron.
Barry is in constant demand throughout the country as an adjudicator, clinician and conductor. His presentations include: The Ohio Music Educators Conference, several clinics and concerts at the Michigan Music Education In-Service Conference, the North Central MENC Convention, the CBDNA North Central Conference, the Michigan Music Conference and most recently a presentation entitled Developing the Small College Band Program at the 3rd annual National Collegiate Marching & Athletic Band Symposium. He has also served as an adjudicator on several university campuses and has conducted numerous honor bands throughout the Midwest.
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