I would like to invite anyone who has ever been in high school band to consider joining the Four Corners Community Band.
We will resume rehearsals on Monday, Jan. 23. Rehearsals are from 7 until 9 p.m. every Monday night, and are held at the First Baptist Church on Market Street in Cortez. The only requirements are that you play a band instrument — woodwind, brass, or percussion — and can play high school level music.
The original idea was to start a concert band that would support community events and provide entertainment throughout the Four Corners area. The band plays all styles of concert band music, from light classical to jazz, pop to Broadway, movie music to rock ‘n roll and marches.
The band consists of people from all walks of life, and of all ages. We have members in their 20s, all the way up to a 92-year-old “fiddle” player, who covers the oboe parts. We also have members from throughout the Four Corners, and would love to have musicians from the Durango area join our group!
We have performed throughout the area, including Mancos, Shiprock, Cortez, Newcomb, Dolores and Rico. We have done school programs, concerts at Mesa Verde, July performances in Rico, nursing home concerts, summer concerts in the Cortez parks, parades, etc.
We also have occasional “social events,” where we get together simply to enjoy each other’s company. Many wonderful friendships have been formed through these various functions.
I know what you are thinking — “I haven’t touched my horn since high school.” We have several members who had not played for 15 or 20 years. You are never too old to play music.
I invite you to come out on Jan. 23 and give this wonderful group of community members a try. You’ll be glad you did.
Mark Allen
Cortez
