AUBURN — January marks the Auburn Community Band’s annual open membership period. All musicians who wish to take part in the band’s summer outdoor concert season have until the end of January to join the group and start participating in weekly rehearsals.

The band has an immediate need for percussionists who can read music. The group is also hoping to attract additional musicians who play flute, clarinet, tenor or bari sax, trumpet, French horn, baritone horn or tuba.

The 45-member band will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, January through May. During the five months, band members will learn more than 100 different musical selections. Rehearsals will take place at the High Street Congregational Church, located between High and Pleasant streets.

Musicians must have their own instrument and music stand, and be able to commit to the weekly schedule of Wednesday evening rehearsals.

The band will present weekly concerts at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, from June through early September. The 75-minute performances take place at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn, weather permitting. A different selection of music is featured each week, appealing to audiences of both young and old.

The 2010 series of free summer concerts has tentatively been scheduled to begin on June 16 and run through Aug. 25.

Current band members range in age from 19 to 84. Collectively, the organization represents 15 central and southern Maine towns. Before joining, many of the group’s volunteer musicians had last played their instruments some 20 to 40 years ago.

The new season marks the Auburn Community Band’s 29th year under Simon’s direction. Interested musicians are asked to call Simon at 782-3917 before attending their first rehearsal. Additional information regarding group is posted on the band’s Web site, www.auburncommunityband.com.

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