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Instant Band
About
In 1997, a visionary conductor, David Druce of the Woods Manufacturing Band of Canada, ignited a spark of collaboration. Recognizing the financial constraints that prevented some bands from traveling to the North American Brass Band Championships in Red Wing, he sought to create an opportunity for individual players to experience the thrill of performing on the NABBA stage. Gathering a diverse ensemble of approximately 16 Canadians, ten Americans, and four British musicians, he pioneered the very first Instant Band. This remarkable group, united by their passion for brass music, delivered a compelling performance after just two days of intensive rehearsal. This year, inspired by the enduring spirit of camaraderie and musical excellence, the NABBA board is thrilled to present the second iteration of the newly revived Instant Band. With the growth of the brass band movement across North America, we are committed to fostering inclusivity and creating pathways for even more musicians to participate in our championship experience. The Instant Band offers a unique opportunity for individuals from various bands, who might otherwise be unable to attend, to come together, forge new connections, and celebrate the joy of making exceptional music. We invite you to join us in this celebration of unity and musical passion, where the love of brass transcends geographical boundaries and financial limitations.
Musical Director
Jessica Sneeringer
Jessica Sneeringer is a graduate of The Ohio State University earning Bachelor’s Degrees in both Music Education and Trombone Performance as well as a Masters Degree in Music Education. Jessica is currently in her 26th year of teaching, this being her 21st year as the Director of Bands at Columbus Academy in Gahanna, Ohio as well as the Chair of the Performing Arts Department and the Dixon Art Chair Award Recipient. Since 2012, Jessica has been the conductor of the Athena Brass Band and is honored to have had the opportunity to conduct the band at the 2021 Midwest Clinic as well as the IWBC 2024 Conference in Japan and the RNCM Festival of Brass in the UK, in January 2025. Throughout her career, Jessica has been a clinician, adjudicator, and coach for several outstanding groups. She is currently on staff at Jazz Arts Group (Columbus) as the director of the Columbus Youth Jazz Ensemble as well as the director of the Columbus Community Jazz Band. A freelance trombonist, Jessica plays lead with the Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra (under the direction of Todd Stoll) and occasionally with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. She has also performed with the 1999 Disney Collegiate All-Star Band (lead), Athena Brass Band (bass), Monarch Brass (bass), Johnny Mathis, The Who, and a variety of other ensembles. Jessica is a member of the Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity, the American School Band Directors Association, and the Women Band Director’s International. Jessica has gained a reputation for being an engaging, energetic, and artistic conductor. Over the 16 years that she conducted the Central Ohio Brass Band the group enjoyed much success, including being First Section Champions a record five times at the NABBA Championships. The band was invited to such prestigious events as the Great American Brass Band Festival, the Butlins Contest in the UK, the Ohio Music Education Association Conference, and the 2019 International Trombone Festival. Having left COBB’s podium in 2020, Jessica moved to the NABBA adjudication panel. She has also been an adjudicator at the US Open and the Dublin Festival of Brass and the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Brass Band Festival. She was thrilled to be a guest conductor of the Hannaford Street Silver Band in Toronto, CA in the fall of 2025 where she also worked with the Hannaford Street Youth Band.. Jessica makes her home in Gahanna, Ohio with her partner Samantha and their kids