Unfortunately, the larger the ensemble, the less likely that all members can be expected to know how to play a given piece. Since this was, literally, a "Big Band," their repertoire would necessarily be limited to those numbers that they have studied and rehearsed together.

If it was a "community" (i.e., unpaid amateur) orchestra, as I suspect may well have been the case, it's even more unrealistic to expect the breadth of repertoire that a professional group ~ or any solo performer, amateur or professional ~ might be expected to offer.

Too bad you couldn't excuse yourself (for a l-o-o-o-n-g trip to the bathroom perhaps?) until the fireworks commenced.

The discussion has brought up some good opportunites for a few laughs, though. How 'bout requiring, say, Miles Davis to play "Orange Blossom Special"? Or maybe 50-Cent could do "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"?...