Openings for clarinet,
bass clarinet, tenor sax,
French horn and tuba

AUBURN – January marks the Auburn Community Concert Band’s semi-annual open-membership period. All musicians who wish to participate in the band’s upcoming summer concert performances have until Jan.  27, to join the group and start participating in weekly rehearsals.

The 40-plus member concert band has an immediate need for flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone, French horn and tuba players.

From January through May, band members meet every Wednesday evening, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the High Street Congregational Church, Auburn. Membership requires limited conflicts with the group’s schedule of weekly Wednesday rehearsals and concerts, and musicians must have their own instruments.

From mid-June through late August, the band presents weekly Wednesday evening concerts. Weather permitting, these free, 75-minute performances take place at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn. In the case of inclement weather, concerts take place indoors at the Franco Center in Lewiston. A different selection of music is featured each week, appealing to audiences both young and old. The 2016 summer concert series is expected to begin on June 15th, and run through August 24th.

This summer will mark the organization’s 35th 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 16 to 91, and represent some 15 central Maine towns. Membership is open to anyone knowing how to play a wind or percussion instrument.

Before joining the ACCB, many of the group’s volunteer musicians had last played their instruments anywhere from 10 to 40 years ago, according to band director Simon. “New members are often nervous when they attend their first few rehearsals, because of the numerous years since they last held and played their instrument.” Simon added that most people regain their former musical skills within a short period of time. “It’s like riding a bike; once you have learned how to do it, you never forget.”

Additional information about the group is posted on the band’s web site: www.auburncommunityband.com.

Interested musicians are asked to call Simon at 782-3917 prior to attending their first rehearsal.