Brass Band of Columbus
That the Brass Band of Columbus won the North American Brass Band Association competition should come as no surprise. This group, America's leading British-style brass band, is the winner of more NABBA competitions than any other band.
It has received the first place award seven times and hosted the contest in 1987, 1992 and 1996.
The 40-piece band that formed in 1984 includes 30 active or retired music educators and a wide range of other professions. Paul Droste, emeritus professor of music at Ohio State University and former director of the OSU marching band, is founder and director. Droste and associate director Les Susi, a retired music educator and administrator of the Columbus public schools, currently are employed by Colonial Music.
The band averages over 20 appearances a year at indoor and outdoor concerts, community events and church services. It performs annually at a ``God and Country'' concert with a Salvation Army band or soloist. Other major appearances include the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and state, national and international conferences of musical organizations.
The group's first commercial compact disc, ``Lead On!,'' was released in December 1994.