LIVERMORE FALLS/JAY — Many years ago, the Livermore Falls Community Band performed at the town gazebo.

Thanks to Jay Elementary School music teacher Dan Labonte, a community band is once again returning to play old favorites this summer. He is looking for anyone who might be interested, of all ages, in participating.

“Anyone from the surrounding communities are welcome to come as long as they want to drive here,” he said in an e-mail.

Labonte said that Doug Mosher, who had run the Livermore Falls Community Band, had approached him about getting a community band together again.

This summer, plans are to have the band perform two concerts. They will play on July 3rd before the fireworks at the gazebo and then at the end of the summer on Aug. 27th, also at the gazebo.

“A community band has many positive attributes, including providing a performance for the public, creating an organization for a wide variety of ages to work together and to enjoy making music together,” Labonte said. “It also provides a learning experience for students in the area to see that music is something they can do for a lifetime.

“Playing in community bands can provide students and adults a chance to learn new music literature and meet people around the community,” he continued. “This can also attract people into the downtown area for a concert.”

Labonte has participated playing trombone in various community bands growing up, including The Merrymeeting Community Band in Topsham, Chandler’s Band out of Portland, KPAX Band out of Augusta, and the Orono Community Band. This is the first time he has directed a community band.

The first rehearsal will be Wednesday, May 21 in the Spruce Mountain Middle School Band Room from 7-8:30 p.m. Also, the band will rehearse on Tuesday, May 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. For the rest of the summer, rehearsals will be on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. Labonte said he would like to have everyone there at the first rehearsal.

Anyone who’s interested in joining should contact Labonte at 897-5755, or by e-mail at [email protected]. They can also look him up on Facebook. He said that he needs to have an idea of which instruments people will be playing so he can put together folders of music.