The Stanly County Concert Band celebrates a milestone this year.
Founded in 2012, the organization is entering its 10th year of providing musical entertainment to the community.
Rehearsals will begin for the new season, “A Decade in the Making,” at 6:30 p.m. on August 18 in the Pfeiffer University Music Hall. Everyone who has played with the band over the past decade is welcome to return for the new season.
The organization’s fall concerts will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center and 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Central United Methodist Church. The concerts are free, but monetary donations are accepted. The band will be performing new tunes as well as member favorites over the years.
The SCCB is under the leadership of Tim Hedrick, his wife Carmella, and former North Stanly High School group principal Frank Poolos, who have each been with the organization since its inception. They also play each of the instruments in the band: Tim plays the clarinet, Carmella the flute and Frank the oboe.
While the numbers have dropped somewhat since the start of Covid, there were 43 members at the last gig compared to over 50 before the pandemic, Tim is delighted to bring in additional members for what will be a very special season.
“We’re getting ready to start and we’ve got some exciting things planned so we want to spread the word,” he said, noting that there will be giveaways at the concerts.
Anyone 18 and over who has musical experience in a band, even if they live outside of Stanly, can join the band and there is never any pressure to play a particular way.
“We’re blessed with good musicians, but we also have those who love to play and never had any training after high school,” Carmella said. “We ask them to play what they can and we have enough people who can play the rest. So when everything falls into place, it’s great.
Over the years, the group has grown stronger as its members, many of whom have been involved from the start, have helped each other improve. The organization has members of all ages, ranging from high school seniors to octogenarians.
“Any musical group, the longer you can play together or play together, the more you start to think alike,” Carmella said.
Along with improving musically, the members also enjoyed bonding closely with each other.
“In all groups, they become a family and our people really care about each other,” Tim said, noting that many members look forward to training together on Thursday nights.
