Roman Festival Brass

Several members of Roman Festival Brass will be pulling double duty during the festival. They also are members of the 8th Regiment Band.

"We're doing lip-ups right now so we won't be so fatigued," said band member David McDaniel, who notes that members in both groups will perform four concerts in one day.

"Ten of the 16 members in the 8th Regiment are also in Festival Brass. We're going to be very tired, but we're looking forward to playing opportunities for both groups."

Roman Festival Brass, which has about 40 people, formed in spring of 2000.

Director Jerry Pollard got the group together, McDaniel said.

"A lot of people in the northwest area of Georgia have been talking about this for years. They decided to put it together with Jerry Pollard as director."

Members include students, a doctor, a metal worker and music educators.

Festival Brass concentrates on brass band literature and orchestra transcriptions.

Most of its performances have been for the Rome community. Its mission includes entertaining the community, but also serving the community. Its inaugural concert was in keeping with the group's mission to aid the community. It was in conjunction with U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was a Toys for Tots benefit.

"It was extremely successful," McDaniel said.