Misson Statement
The Middle Georgia Concert Band provides the value of musical education, fosters musical talent and education for its members of a wide range of ages and experiences, and provides quality musical entertainment for the community.
Tax status
The MGCB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and supports itself through membership dues, individual donations, and grants.
A brief history of the MGCB
In 2025, the MGCB celebrated its 33rd anniversary, with members ranging in age from 15 to their 70’s! The Middle Georgia Concert Band (MGCB) was organized in the Fall of 1992 to provide opportunities for amateur musicians with high school or college band experience to continue participating in music performance and fellowship with other musicians. The band is now an institution in Macon, a city steeped in musical history, with a large membership, strong links with the community, and appreciative audiences. Our members include high school and college music learners, community members from all types of careers, music teachers, and many in retirement.
The MGCB united with the newly founded University Band of Mercer University in the fall of 2023. Mercer students can register and get credit for participation. The University Band provides opportunities for Music Education students to perform on secondary instruments as well as students to continue to play in a community-focused ensemble. The group performs for seasonal concerts in the Middle Georgia area.
Conductors over the years have left their mark:
Norman (Rocky) Short (founder), 1992-
Nancy Rector. Nancy’s great love was horses and music. Although she could virtually play any brass or woodwind instrument, her love of the French Horn gave her many opportunities to excel. During her teens she was a student of Max Pottaq, America’s foremost exponent of that instrument at the time. That led to her 1962 selection by the US State Department to the United States of America High School Band, a contingent of 90 elite students. The group toured Europe representing the US at a number of venues. Following high school, Nancy earned a full music scholarship at the University of Southern Mississippi and later a graduate fellowship at the University of Michigan. After college, she played in a number of symphonies over the years, including those in Toledo, Ohio and Macon. Her teaching accomplishments included the directing of high school bands in Louisiana, Texas, Clark Air Base in the Philippines and at various places in Georgia including Thomson High School in Thomson and Mary Persons High School in Forsyth. Her bands consistently earned honors, awards and critical recognition. During those years, Nancy also served in numerous churches as a choir director, instrumental soloist and praise team member. As a director of MGCB, the group excelled at challenging works of music and received significant praise.
Roger White
Col. Bryan Shelburne, 2013- 2024. Bryan Shelburne has spent a lifetime in service. He retired from a 30-yr career of military service in 2000. His final command was of Pershing’s Own United States Bands and Choruses in DC where he served a decade as the 6th Leader and Commander. As of the Cherry Blossom Concert in 2024, he retired as the Director of the MGCB. At his retirement, the combined MGCB & Mercer University Band had a BBQ.
Brittan Braddock, DMA, 2023-present. Dr. Brittan Braddock completed her D.M.A. in Wind Conducting and Literature at the University of Colorado Boulder after earning her M.A. in Wind Conducting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) from Concordia University Chicago. She joined Mercer University from the University of West Florida’s Dr. Grier Williams School of Music, where she served as visiting assistant professor, director of bands and music education. She is active nationally and internationally as a conductor, clinician, presenter, clarinetist, and adjudicator. Passionate about mentoring the next generation of conductors, she is a co-chair of the mentorship committee through Women Band Directors International. As a clarinetist, she has performed with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Winds, the International Youth Wind Ensemble, and at Carnegie Hall with the National Youth Wind Orchestra. She taught music and band in the public-school systems in Chicago, IL. and Westcliffe, CO. and is dedicated to inspiring young musicians and future music educators.
Our Music
Our repertoire includes Pops, Marches, Classical, Semi-classical, Broadway musicals, Contemporary compositions and other popular music.
MGCB also creates small ensembles to play in smaller venues like assisted living facilities, nursing homes, educational venues, and various events.
Sample of 2025 MGCB small ensemble Pops Christmas:
