The Ray Birely Big Band

(301) 471-3105

  • Home
  • 2021 Pen Mar Park
  • Schedule/Q&A
  • Song List
  • The Rocky Birely Combo
  • Links
  • Memorial Page
  • More
    • Home
    • 2021 Pen Mar Park
    • Schedule/Q&A
    • Song List
    • The Rocky Birely Combo
    • Links
    • Memorial Page
The Ray Birely Big Band

(301) 471-3105

  • Home
  • 2021 Pen Mar Park
  • Schedule/Q&A
  • Song List
  • The Rocky Birely Combo
  • Links
  • Memorial Page

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Performances

BIG BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Featuring The Ray Birely Big Band under the Direction of Rocky Birely and Kurt Nigh-performing a variety of all Christmas music from Stan Kenton to Karen Carpenter at

Cornerstone Community Church,20519 Beaver Creek Rd.,Hagerstown,Md. 21740.

Saturday,December 18,2021-7:00 p.m.

Snow date:Sunday,December 19-6:00 p.m.***Note DIFFERENT time***

Free and open to the public.

A love offering will be accepted. 

__________________________________________________________                                                                                                     *The Rocky Birely Combo at Pen Mar Park

14600 Pen Mar-High Rock Rd.,Cascade,Md. 21719

Sunday,July 31,2022

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Jim and Fay Powers Music Series

Free and open to the public

Ballroom dancing to swing, ballad,latin,waltz,and some 50's,60's,70's


------------------------------------------------------------------

*The Ray Birely Orchestra (Big Band)

Everybody's Day at Pen Mar Park

14600 Pen Mar-High Rock Rd.,Cascade,Md. 21719

Sunday,August 28,2022

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Jim and Fay Powers Music Series

Free and open to the public

Jitterbug contest at 2:30 followed by Waltz Contest

Classic Model A Car Club

Miniature carousels

Native American Dancers

Hagerstown Lindy Hop Club performance at 4:00 p.m.

------------------------------------------------------------------

*The Rocky Birely Combo at Pen Mar Park,

14600 Pen Mar-High Rock Rd.,Cascade,Md. 21719

Ballroom dancing to swing, ballad,latin,waltz,and some 50's,60's,70's...

Sunday,September 18,2022

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Jim and Fay Powers Music Series

Free and open to the public






Q & A

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the size of The Ray Birely Big Band? 

A. 17 instrumentalists and 1 or 2 vocalists, male/female. We do, on occasion, use 13 instrumentalists and 1 vocalist, if necessary, due to the size of the venue or budget. 


Q: How much does it cost to hire The Ray Birely Big Band? 

A.This depends upon the length of the performance and how far we have to travel. Our arrangements for the full orchestra sound best with 17 instrumentalists; the least we can use is 13. Remember there are smaller bands that say they play "big band music" but these are not the true big band sound. 


Q:How will I know if The Ray Birely Big Band will physically fit into our venue? 

A. Contact our Music Director, Rocky, to discuss details. 


Q: How far will the band travel for an event? 

A.So far we have performed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. Location, time, and budget are all determining factors. Contact our Music Director, Rocky, to discuss details. 


Q: Where can I see The Ray Birely Big Band perform? 

A. Many of our performances are for private affairs, organizations, corporations, etc. We do, however, perform for some public affairs. Check out the "Calendar of Events" on the website. A five minute demo CD and brochure are available upon request. 


Q:What is The Rocky Birely Combo? 

A.The Rocky Birely Combo consists of a 2-3 piece rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) vocal and saxophone. We play swing, jazz, blues, ballads, waltzes, latin, etc., excellent for events at a smaller venue or with a smaller budget. The Combo is well-suited to jazz brunches, cocktail parties and smaller wedding receptions where this style of music is desired. 


Q: What is the Rocky Birely Tenor Band? 

A. The Rocky Birely Tenor Band offers a society style of music which was popular in the large hotels of major cities in the 1930's. The Tenor Band, comprised of 2 or 3 tenor saxophones, trumpet, piano/bass, and drums, plays medleys of the beautiful, timeless music of the 30's and early 40's. The Tenor Band is great for special occasions such as golden wedding anniversaries, special events at retirement homes, and any other event where this "period" of music is desired.  

The Brass Section

The Woodwinds

Copyright © 2017 The Ray Birely Big Band - All Rights Reserved. MEMBER LOGIN

Powered by GoDaddy