Athena Brass Band

The Athena Brass Band is the first all-female brass band in the United States, named after Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. The band was formed in 2003, by Laura Lineberger, to perform at the International Women's Brass Conference with Anita Cocker Hunt as conductor. This successful debut resulted in many more invited performances and several commissioned compositions. Jessica Sneeringer has been the music director of Athena Brass Band since 2012. The musicians include current or former members of the U.S. Army Band, the U.S. Coast Guard Band, Brass Band of Battle Creek and the New Sousa Band. There are several college professors and public school music educators, conductors, music therapists, a sound engineer, a music publisher and a composer; also a nuclear physicist, a biologist, a sociologist, an MBA and an author. Most of the ladies also play with a NABBA brass band.

The organization

In 2021 the members of Athena Brass Band appointed a Board of Directors, currently Laura Shea-Clark (President), Amy Cherry (Vice President), Amber Love (Secretary), Naomi Jarvis (Treasurer), Jessica Sneeringer (Music Director), Laura Lineberger (Founder), Colleen Callan, Theresa Hanebury, Joanna Hersey, Amber Love, Jen Oliverio, Emelie Pfaff, Gail Robertson and Kelly Watkins. The band was incorporated in the State of Texas and obtained 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 2022.

Athena Brass Band is committed to championing the advancement of musicians and composers identifying as female by commissioning and promoting compositions and arrangements, and offering performance opportunities.

How Athena works

After finding a suitable venue - it must be able to provide rehearsal space for at least one day prior to performance, assistance in sourcing larger percussion instruments locally, inexpensive housing options and a nominal fee for our immediate expenses - Athena gets to work! This group is unique in that the women within the ensemble come from all parts of the United States: from California, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Ohio, to name a few. They are not paid for their work and most fund their own travel expenses. Each member finds that they are far richer without being paid a penny. What is our secret? We happily perform because this group of ladies loves to gather, work together and make incredible music for the sheer love of Brass Band music! Whenever and wherever Athena Brass Band gets together to rehearse and perform, audiences are delighted with Athena's zest and love for music.

The Athena Brass Band is dedicated to promoting the growth of female-identifying musicians in the world of brass banding, and to providing opportunity for those newer to the field to gain experience. For each performance, the personnel committee invites a combination of past and new performers. To express interest in joining Athena, complete the contact form.

Premieres

Apex of the Amazon by Lisa Galvin, 2021 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL
Bright Shadow Fanfare by Nicole Piunno, 2021 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL
Athenian Fanfare by Lisa Galvin, 2012 IWBC, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Motivations by Anne McGinty, 2003 IWBC, Normal, IL

Past Performances

2021 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL
2021 Gettysburg Brass Band Festival, Gettysburg, PA
2019 IWBC, Arizona State University, AZ
2017 IWBC, Rowan University, NJ
2015 Gettysburg Brass Band Festival, Gettysburg, PA
2014 IWBC, Rowan University, NJ
2012 Gettysburg Brass Band Festival, Gettysburg, PA
2012 IWBC, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
2009 Brass Band Invitational, Indiana University Southeast, IN
2006 IWBC, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
2005 Great American Brass Band Festival, Danville, KY
2003 IWBC, Illinois State University, Normal, IL

Many thanks to those who sponsored the performance at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, 16 December 2021: Andrew Wainwright - Program Design, Brass Band of Columbus, Cimarron Music, Hal Leonard, IWBC, John Lineberger - Logo Design, Maine South High School, NABBA, Shires and WBDI.

Click here to see the concert program.