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 spring semester at the MSU Band and Choral Rehearsal Hall, located off Blackjack Road near the southern edge of campus. A $20 registration fee will be accepted at the 6:30 p.m. first rehearsal Monday [Jan. 9].

The band’s diverse repertoire includes traditional marches, patriotic selections and “pops” arrangements. The band will perform two concerts during the semester.

Interested high school students ages 15 years and older also are invited to join. In addition to having at least one year of prior playing experience and receiving band director’s permission, 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.

Craig Aarhus, MSU associate professor of music and 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,” Aarhus 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 cha18@msstate.edu or 662-325-2713.

For more on MSU’s nationally accredited Department of Music, visit www.music.msstate.edu.

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