CORRECTION: The first concert of the season is Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Columbia Community Concert Band is kicking off its 44th season this year. The first practice of the season was held on Thursday evening.
The community band welcomes anyone who performed in high school, college, military, or community bands. The band conductors only require you to bring an instrument and a desire to continue to make music with your peers.
“They're a great group of people, great musicians," Conductor B.J. Brazier said. "They've been well trained -- some of them, of course, with their background being in the band, as well. And so, it's just, again, just a fulfillment for me of making music with people that want to make music."
The nonprofit band was founded in 1981 to create a space for music lovers of all ages to share their passion for music.
William Ackerman was one of the nonprofit's cofounders. He now plays the oboe in the band.
“It’s just fun to play, and, like I said, I been playing since 1956," Ackerman said. "That's a long time. It’s hard to quit cold turkey, let's put it that way."
The community band performs five concerts and a wide range of genres each season to keep the audience engaged and entertained.
“There are people who play music for the enjoyment, and so it's not a job per say," Brazier said. "Yes, it's a responsibility, but it is something that is inspiring for myself and then hopefully inspiring to them to keep them playing music and make them want to play better and be the best they can be with it."
Since the band is a nonprofit, they charge an annual fee of $20 per season.
The first concert of the season is Sunday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m. at Airport High School, 1315 Boston Ave., West Columbia.