Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s band staff again is inviting university students and employees, as well as Golden Triangle residents with previous band experience, to participate in the Starkville-MSU Community Band.

Practice sessions will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. each Monday during the 2016 spring semester at the Band and Choral Rehearsal Hall, located off Blackjack Road near the southern edge of campus.

A $20 registration fee will be accepted at the first rehearsal on Jan. 11.

Celebrating its 13th year, the band will perform two spring concerts. Traditional marches, patriotic selections and “pops” arrangements are part of the group’s diverse repertoire.

Interested high school students age 15 years and older also are invited to join. In addition to having at least one year of prior playing experience, they must receive permission from their band directors.

Musicians must furnish their own instruments. Some instruments, such as tubas, French horns and percussion, may be available on a limited basis through the band office, which may be reached at 662-325-2713.

Craig Aarhus, associate director of bands, said the community band gives musicians of all ages and abilities a low-stress environment where they can practice their craft on a weekly basis.

“People who have been involved in band often cite it as an important and positive experience in their lives,” the associate professor of music said. “We hope the community band provides that same type of experience for members of the Golden Triangle community.”

For additional information, contact Aarhus at caarhus@colled.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.