Submitted Photo David Rolandson is supervisor of the Minot Beginning Community Band project at Minot State University.

It’s never too late to play in a band, even for people who haven’t picked up their trumpet or clarinet since high school.

The Minot Beginning Community Band might be just the place for area residents to rekindle their interest in music.

Minot State University Director of Bands David Rolandson is supervising the project. An informational meeting was held Jan. 22 and rehearsals were slated to follow every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for the entire semester, with a performance scheduled on Sunday, May 1, according to information provided by MSU. The cost for the semester-long class is $50.

“We have some students who are using this opportunity to “reconnect” with music after many years away,” said Rolandson in an email. “We have others who are learning to read music and play an instrument for the very first time. We even have a few musicians who are using this group to learn a new instrument.”

Some of the participants are renting or purchasing their own instruments through local music stores, said Rolandson, while others are renting larger instruments provided by MSU.

The rehearsals include an hour long group lesson on a new instrument and then an hour of a full-band rehearsal. Interested students might also choose to sign up for additional private lessons on Wednesday evenings at no additional cost.

Teachers in the beginning band program are music education students at Minot State University. According to MSU, participants are starting with the basics.

“We are currently learning the fundamentals of making a sound, changing pitches, recognizing notes and rhythms through lesson books,” said Rolandson. “We will soon start rehearsing actual Concert Band, original compositions, written for beginning band students.”

Rolandson said there are currently 12 students registered in the program but there would be room for up to 30 to 40 interested students. Participants in the program must be 13 or older.

“If they are younger, they could still easily learn along with others in the school band programs around the community,” said Rolandson. “Once students get older, it is harder to be a beginner amongst peers who have been playing together for a number of years. We have high school students and adults in the program. There is a mix.”

Rolandson said he thought about a beginning band program for adults when he was attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota and learned about the “New Horizon Band” movements hat is taking place across the country.

“New Horizon Bands are essentially beginning bands for seniors,” he said. “I think there is a real need. If people don’t join band in the 5th-6th grade, for whatever reason, it can be very challenging to join late. I … think people should be able to join, learn an instrument, and make music, regardless of their age. So I was inspired to make music learning more available to members of the community.”

Rolandson said he knows there is also interest in the Minot community.

“I know that, at least once or twice per month, I hear community members say they “always wished they had learned an instrument” or they “wish they still played an instrument“. I think the interest is there whenever members of the community attend music events. However, the actual act of getting involved, and learning (or re-learning) can be daunting or intimidating. We intend to break down those barriers and create a safe place for everyone who is interested to learn and engage with music along with other beginning musicians…A true, communal learning experience.”

Rolandson said he enjoys teaching future music teachers and band directors who will work in schools.

“Above all else, I consider myself a music teacher educator (someone who prepares music teachers),” said Rolandson. “I think “band music” often gets a bad reputation. People only think of the pep/marching band music which is highly functional, exciting, and utilitarian. However, at the core, band music is essentially the same as an Orchestra, but without strings, and typically with saxophones and more percussion instruments. Without a doubt, there is some really terrible band music out there. It is typically written with little thought other than to make a profit, void of any artistic integrity. If a band leader is willing to look, however, there is some incredibly original, unique, and beautiful music written for woodwinds, brass, and percussion (the band). In many ways, the combination of colors can surpass those available by an orchestra.”

There is still time to sign up for the program. Rolandson encouraged people to contact him for more information. He can be reached at david.rolandson@minotstateu.edu or by phone at 858-3195.

“I think you would find this a rewarding and enjoyable experience,” he said of his prospective beginning band members. “Remember, it is never too late to explore something new and enriching in life. Of the possible hobbies/activities, music can be among the most fulfilling.”