March 3, 2010 > Enjoy and play music with community band Enjoy and play music with community band By Dustin Findley The Milpitas Community Concert Band (MCCB) performs three formal concerts a year at the Milpitas Community Center and plays at several City events such as Memorial Day, Veterans' Day and the Holiday Tree Lighting. Jeffrey Yaeger has conducted for two years and has been a band member for a decade. He has experience of all the brass instruments and some woodwind. "It's fun to rotate around the sections because it helps learn the instruments and it gives me a better perspective as to what the band members go through when they play," he said. Currently the Spring Concert is scheduled for Friday, March 19 at 7.30 p.m. at the Milpitas community center. The concert's theme is "A Night at the Theatre," featuring music from opera to Broadway, spanning 200 years of musical theater. Anybody who plays a band instrument, brass, woodwind or percussion is welcome to join. Prospective band members should have two years' playing experience and be able to read music. MCCB has members at all levels: elementary school students have been very good and senior citizens return to play after 40 years. The band is the perfect vehicle for people from all walks of life, from brain surgeons to plumbers. To join, attend band rehearsal at the Milpitas Community Center on any Wednesday between 7 and 9 p.m. It is a Parks and Recreation program and costs $30 for the entire year. Most class fees fund the purchase of music, equipment and other materials required to perform. Typically, the community band performs from September to June though it may occasionally play at the city's Fourth of July Celebration. From a historical perspective, 100 years ago every city event had a band. According to Yaeger, the band was very active in the community and would play at all civic events. Today, the band is still an important participant in city functions. Yaeger appointed principal trombone player Jeremy Di Salvo as assistant conductor this past year. Di Salvo plays the same trombone used by his father who was a band member before him. Di Salvo joined the ensemble as a 10-year old. After a season, camaraderie develops and encourages new members to continue to play. "If just one person tells me 'Thank you, you sounded great' that makes all the rehearsals worthwhile," said Di Salvo. Milpitas Community Concert Band Spring concert Friday, March 19 7.30 p.m. Milpitas Community Center 457 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas (408) 586-3210