AUBURN – The month of January marks the Auburn Community Concert Band’s annual open-membership period. All musicians who wish to take part in the band’s annual summer concert season have until Wednesday, Jan. 29, to join the group and start participating in the weekly rehearsals.

The community band has an urgent need for alto and tenor saxophone players, along with percussionists who can read music. The group is also hoping to attract additional musicians who play trumpet, French horn or tuba.

The 45-member performing group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday from January through May at the High Street Congregational Church, located between High and Pleasant streets.

During the five months, band members learn more than 100 musical selections. Musicians must have their own instrument and music stand, and be able to commit to most of the Wednesday evening rehearsals.

From June through early September, the band presents weekly Wednesday evening concerts. The free, 75-minute performances take place at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn, weather permitting. A different selection of music is featured each week.

The 2014 summer concert series is expected to begin on June 18 and run through Aug. 20 .

Director Milt Simon, with the assistance of the Auburn Park and Recreation Department, first formed the group in the fall of 1981 to offer former high school and college band members an opportunity to continue using and improving performance skills.

This summer will mark the organization’s 33rd season. Members of the ACCB currently range in age from 14 to 89, and represent some 15 central and coastal Maine towns. Membership is open to anyone knowing how to play a wind or percussion instrument.

Additional information about the group is posted on the band’s website: www.auburncommunityband.com.

Interested musicians are asked to call Simon at 782-3917 prior to attending the first rehearsal.

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