Mississippi State University is giving members of the Starkville community an opportunity to bring out their musical instruments and perform with student band members.
Local church members, high school students, and alumni of the Famous Maroon Band have been asked to join a new community band ensemble, as a joint venture of the MSU Bands and the Division of Continuing Education.
The only requirements for the band are that members have at least two years of experience playing their instruments and are at least 15 years old, said Valerie Tate, program coordinator for continuing education.
“And they need to bring their own instruments,” Tate said.
Tate worked with the marketing department and sent post cards to local schools and churches advertising the new band.
The first rehearsal was held Jan. 12. Subsequent rehearsals will be held every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“The turnout from the community was really good,” assistant director for bands Craig Aarhus said. “We had about 20 community members along with 37 students.”
The idea for the new band was created in part because of a need for a third band to perform at MSU concerts, Aarhus said.
“We had a need to expand our concerts, but we did not have enough students for a third concert band. We decided to combine the students and community members,” Aarhus said.
The first on-campus concert featuring the new band is scheduled for April 25. It will feature the community band, as well as the MSU’s jazz band.
Aarhus said the bands will perform a mix of traditional band songs, in addition to Broadway medleys and patriotic renditions.
“We will see how it goes with one concert this spring, but I’m sure we will continue this every spring semester,” Aarhus said.
Aarhus said that the band serves as a class for students, but registration is over for this semester.
“For community members who are registered through the continuing education department, they can continue registering until the next meeting, which is Monday night,” Aarhus said.
Kathryn Ingels, a Starkville community member already plays in concerts and is a member of the handbell choir at her church. She said she joined the band for an opportunity to play her instrument.
“I am excited to get to play my bass clarinet,” Ingels said. “Older music doesn’t have my instrument written in, so it has to be translated from the bassoon, but this newer music lets me play my instrument.”
To register, contact Tate at 325-2713.