Perform with MHFB
Whether you are a professional musician or just picking up your instrument again after many years, we have a place for you! MHFB members come from every background, identity, musical skill, and profession that you can think of! Be a part of our mission to engage, excite, educate, and entertain!
MHFB Brings the Community Together Through Music
Please complete the form below to give us some basic information and our membership team will reach out to you for further details and next steps!
Note – if you’ve already spoken to the membership team and you’re ready to officially start your performer membership, go to MHFB.org/members and complete the registration form and dues subscription!
Please note: MHFB Winds is currently full. Potential new members will be added to our wait list for future Winds opportunities or can join any one of MHFB’s other ensembles!
Membership FAQ
This FAQ covers the most common questions about MHFB membership. If your question isn’t answered here, just email us at membership@mhfb.org!
MHFB Swing and MHFB Strings rehearse most Tuesdays and MHFB Winds rehearses most Thursdays from 7-9pm. Other ensemble rehearsal schedules vary based on the performance schedule. All rehearsals take place at Historic Grant Avenue, 216 South Grant Street, in Denver.
You are welcome to check out MHFB any time during the season! Typically once rehearsals for a concert start, we ask that you wait until the next performance cycle to begin to formally join the ensemble. You’re welcome to sit in and observe a rehearsal to check us out anytime, and we’ll even give you a pair of comp tickets to the next performance before you officially join! Some ensembles do hit capacity at times, at which point potential new members are added to a wait list.
MHFB welcomes musicians 18 years and older, with any ability or identity within our band family. Our ensembles and performances provide opportunities for everyone! Active membership requires dues payments or dues scholarships and regular rehearsal attendance. There are no other eligibility requirements.
Most of our ensembles are unlimited and accepting new players. There are some times where we do reach capacity and have to limit specific ensembles (typically this only happens with MHFB Winds). In that case, potential new members are added to a waiting list for future opportunities or can join any one of MHFB’s other ensembles.
The commitment will vary depending on the ensemble you play with and the volunteer activities you choose. Generally, there are three main areas you’ll spend your time with MHFB.
Rehearsals: there are usually 8-10 rehearsals per performance and we ask you to attend at least 75% of these.
Performances: on performance days, you’ll usually have to arrive about 90 minutes before show time and remain briefly after the performance has ended.
Volunteering: as a non-profit organization, volunteering is a crucial part for MHFB to function. We do ask that each member finds some way to volunteer with the organization during the season and the time commitment varies depending on how you choose to volunteer.
No auditions are required for any of our ensembles. Our players include a wide range of abilities from those with music degrees to those who are just picking up their instrument again for the first time in years. Having an average high school-level proficiency on your instrument will be appropriate for most of what we play. If something is too challenging, you’re encouraged to work with your section leader to edit the part to suit your playing ability!
In MHFB Winds, parts are assigned by section leaders. In all other ensembles, they are assigned by the director. Generally, each section and ensemble is free to distribute parts however they choose. If you want to play specific parts, be sure your section leader or the director knows your preferences!
Yes, active members in MHFB requires a dues payment of $15 per month (or $150 if paid annually). Partial and full dues scholarships are available to everyone. The first month is free for all new members. MHFB will never let dues stop someone from being a part of our band family!
Volunteers and MHFB Youth participants do not pay dues.
As a non-profit organization, volunteering is a crucial part of MHFB being able to function. Members may be asked to donate items, sponsor music, help with events and equipment, represent MHFB in the community, serve on the Board of Directors, or participate on board committees. We do ask that each member finds some way to volunteer with the organization during the season.
MHFB welcomes any person who is affirming of the vast diversity of humanity. MHFB members are part of an organization that is welcoming and accepting of all people, in whatever way they identify.
Absolutely! We are always in need of volunteers to support the band through event setup, front-of-house support, logistical support, and more! Check out the MHFB.org home page for opportunities to get involved.
In our current 40th season (2023-34), the Mile High Freedom Bands has an active membership of over 250 musicians and volunteers throughout all of our ensembles.
In our current season, MHFB Winds averages 130 performers per concert; MHFB Swing averages 23; MHFB Corps averages 65 for marching events and 20 for pep band events; MHFB Strings averages 24. We also currently have four official small ensembles – a Clarinet Choir, a Saxophone Ensemble, a Jazz Combo, and a Low Brass Ensemble.
