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AUBURN – The month of January marks the Auburn Community Concert Band’s semi-annual open-membership period. This is an ideal opportunity for former high school and college band members to once again experience the enjoyment of performing for others.
All musicians who wish to participate in the band’s upcoming summer concert performances have until Wednesday, Jan. 30, to join the group and start participating in weekly rehearsals.
The 54-member concert band would particular like to add members to its flute and saxophone sections. The group also hopes to grow its clarinet, french horn, and tuba sections. There is also a need for percussion and drum set players who can read music.
Membership requires limited conflicts with the group’s weekly schedule of Wednesday evening rehearsals and concerts. Musicians must have their own instruments and music stands.
From January through early June, band members rehearse from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the High Street Congregational Church. From mid-June through late August, the band presents weekly Wednesday evening concerts. The free 75-minute performances take place at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn, weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, concerts take place indoors at the Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston.
A different selection of music is featured each week, appealing to audiences both young and old. The anticipated Wednesday concert dates for the 2019 summer season are June 19 through Aug. 21.
This summer will mark the organization’s 38th consecutive season. Director Milt Simon formed the group in 1981 to offer musicians, who had once been members of their high school and college bands, an opportunity to continue using and improving their performance skills. Members of the ACCB currently range in age from 14 to 89, and represent some 16 central Maine towns. Membership is open to anyone knowing how to play a wind or percussion instrument.
“New members are often nervous when attending their first few rehearsals, because of the lapse of time from when they last performed,” said band director Simon. “For many, it’s been 20 or more years since they last touched their instrument.” He added that most people regain their musical skills relatively quickly. “It’s like riding a bicycle. Once you have learned, you never forget. You just may need to do some practicing.”
He said the opportunity to perform in front of large audiences, numbering 300 to 400 people on a weekly basis, is typically quite appealing to both amateur and experienced musicians.
Well over 400 people were in attendance at the band’s annual holiday performance recently, which took place at the Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston.
Those interested in joining may call Simon at 207-782-3917 before attending their first rehearsal. Additional information about the group is posted on the band’s web site, www.auburncommunityband.com.
PHOTO: The Auburn Community Band. (Submitted photo)
