Contact: James Carskadon

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 at 72 Hardy Road on the Starkville campus. A $20 participation fee is required, which can be paid at the first meeting of the semester on Jan. 7. No pre-registration is required.

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, high school students wishing to participate must receive permission from their band director.

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. He said musicians that may have gone a few years without playing their instruments are welcome.

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.