Book a Gem City Ensemble

Looking to add live music to your next event? The Gem City Bands offer a variety of performance options that bring energy, charm, and professionalism to any setting. Whether you're planning a summer concert series, community celebration, retirement home performance, musical festival, or fundraiser, we’d love to partner with you to make it special.

 

Please note: We are not available for private dances, weddings, or for-profit events. Our mission is to support community-based and nonprofit programming through live music.

 

We currently offer performances by:

• The Concert Band

• The Jazz Ensemble

• The Flagship Steel Band

• Small ensembles (available upon request)

 

When Are We Available?

Because many of our members work during the day, Gem City ensembles are typically available to perform:

• Weekday evenings after 6:30 PM

• Anytime on weekends

 

We may be able to accommodate other times with advance notice, so feel free to reach out—we’ll do our best to make it work!

 

We recommend booking well in advance, especially for summer dates, which tend to fill up quickly.

 

What Are the Venue Requirements?

Each performance is a little different, but here are the basic setup needs for our ensembles:

 

Minimum Performance Area:

• Concert Band: 45 ft. x 20 ft.

• Jazz Ensemble: 20 ft. x 18 ft.

• Steel Drum Band: 20 ft. x 20 ft.

These dimensions ensure adequate space for performers, equipment, and safe movement during the performance.

 

In addition to space, the following may be required depending on the group and venue:

• A flat, level surface (grass, pavement, stage, or large indoor room)

• Access to electricity and lighting, especially for evening or amplified performances

• Parking and loading access close to the performance area

 

Gem City Bands can provide:

• Chairs and music stands

• PA system, amps, and power cords, if needed

• A formal performance agreement or contract

• Proof of liability insurance

 

Not sure if your space will work? Just ask—we’re happy to work with you to find the best setup for your event.

 

Is There a Cost?

Our musicians are volunteers, but the band relies on contributions and performance-related donations to cover essential expenses such as music purchases, equipment, and operational needs.

 

We strongly encourage hosts to make a tax-deductible donation in support of our mission to provide high-quality, accessible live music throughout the community. A suggested donation amount can be provided upon request—your support truly makes our performances possible.
 

• Gem City Bands is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit

• Federal Tax ID: 20-2584174

• Donation receipts and paperwork are available upon request

 

Ready to Book or Have Questions?

For availability, pricing, or more information, please fill out our contact form, or email us directly at shelley.readel@gmail.com.

 

We look forward to making your event unforgettable with live music!

Past Venues:

 

Retirement Communitees:

• Brevillier Village

• Dufford Terrace

• Heritage Apartments

• Independence Court

• Mercy Center on Aging

• Mercy Terrace Apartments

• Methodist Towers

• Niagara Village

• Ostrow Apartments

• PA Soldiers’ & Sailor’s Home

• Parkside at Westminster

• Regency at South Shore

• Sarah Reed Retirement Center

• Springhill Retirement Center

• St. Mary’s at Asbury Ridge

• Sunrise Assisted Living

 

Events and Other:

•  Abiding Hope Lutheran Church

• All-Season’s Marketplace

• Bayview Park Concert Series

• Blasco Library Concert Series

• CB&C Innovative Tours

• Celebrate Erie

• Colony Plaza Gallery Night

• Corry’s Thursdays in the Park

• Crawford County Fair

• Dan Rice Days

• Erie Art Museum Music Series

• East Erie Turner’s

• Edinboro Maple Festival

• EHCA Spring Swing

• Erie Blues and Jazz Fest

• Erie Maennerchor Club

• Erie SeaWolves

• Erie Sounds of Summer Concert Series

• Erie Summer Festival of the Arts

• Erie VA Medical Center

• Erie Wild Rib Cook-Off

• expERIEnce Children's Museum

• Faith Lutheran Erie

• Fairview Pleasant Ridge Park Concert Series

• Fairview Presbyterian Church

• Festival of Trees

• First Presbyterian Church of Harborcreek

• Franklin Applefest

• Gathering at French Creek

• Girard Lawn Chair Concert Series

• Goodell Gardens Founder's Day

• Gravel Pit Park

• Guess That Tune Gala

• Harborcreek Township

• House of Mercy

• Lawrence Park Gazebo Concert Series

• Lynch Music Concert Series

• Maennerchor Club

• Maplewood High School Jazz Festival

• Mercy County Courthouse Square

• Millcreek Mall

• New Hope Presbyterian Church

• North East Let It Be Heard Concert Series

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel

• Our West Bayfront Concert Series

• Penn State Behrend

• Perry 200 4th of July Celebration

• PMEA District 2 Jazz Fest

• SafeNet

• Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church

• SeaWolves

• Shriners Hospital for Children

• St. George Catholic Church

• St. John’s Catholic Church

• St. John’s Lutheran Church

• St. Mark's Episcopal Church

• St. Patty's Day Parade

• Tall Ships Celebration

• Titusville Scheide Park Concert Series

• Tuba Christmas

• Union Station

• Waterford Days

• Whitford Park Concert Series

• Wounded Warrior Event

• WQLN Sounds Around Town