The Windy City Ramblers is a Non-Profit  Brass Band Organization that is dedicated to the cultural development of the Youth of Chicago through the Brass Band and Second Line Culture.  The Windy City Ramblers Brass Band builds from the musical legacy and festive spirit of the New Orleans brass band and second line culture while embracing the rich creative history of Chicago music culture and musicianship.  Musically and Culturally, our aim is to inspire, cultivate, maintain and employ excellent musicianship, professionalism, bandsmanship, and cultural enlightenment.  

 

Mission Statement:To Provide a path for success, professionalism, cultural awareness, cultural development, self esteem, and creative personal development through education with artform and Cultural Expression of Brass Band Music and Second Line Culture to the Youth of Chicagoland.

 

Goal:
The goal of the Windy City Ramblers is to transcend the culture of the youth in the Chicagoland area. We aim to inspire the youth of Chicagoland through our music, improving the success rates of youth transitioning into adulthood through hands-on professional experiences of playing in a brass band. Furthermore, our goal is to continually produce the next generation of professional musicians through our institution and its cultural contributions and services.

 

How:
Through performances, parades, community events, and free weekly Brass Band Workshops, the Windy City Ramblers provide the youth in Chicago with the space and opportunity to develop musical skills, confidence, professionalism, and personal excellence.

The Windy City Ramblers support the youth by supporting the music and musicians. Through multiple partnerships with organizations, schools, grants, endowments, and institutions with similar interests and focus, the Windy City Ramblers aim to create a more positive outcome for the youth of Chicagoland. By building a Second Line Brass Band culture in Chicagoland, the youth will have an outlet for self-expression that is integral to the framework of a strong culture.

As Windy City Ramblers, we provide educational services via workshops (open rehearsals), live performances, parades, concerts, clinics, and sporting events.

 

Workshops:
Workshops are held on Monday nights from 7-9 pm at the Harvey Boxing Club and Art Gallery. During workshops, musicians rehearse songs, create parts, learn songs, create new arrangements, and develop new material. This workshop allows students to learn side by side with professional musicians and learn the language of the brass band sound.

 

Live Performances:
Live performances include festivals, parties, and events where the Ramblers are requested to perform.

 

Concerts:
Concerts include but are not limited to creative events sponsored by the Windy City Ramblers.

 

Clinics:
Clinics are available for all school levels from kindergarten to undergraduate.

 

Sporting Events:
High school sporting events and community sports. Often, high school programs have band programs that lack enough students to play for halftime and pregame events. The Ramblers will partner with band programs for special events.