The community band was created by Joe Fioretti in December. As an avid trumpet player, Fioretti said it started out as him looking for a place to play his instrument.
“Community bands are not that popular, but popular enough in certain areas,” he said in a phone interview. “We have one in The Woodlands, Spring and near Tomball. I called them all, and most of them were already established and didn’t need a trumpet player, so I wanted to see if I could find people nearby that also play instruments and want to keep playing.”
In mid-November, Fioretti sent out a survey to find interested parties. By the end of December, he said 60-70 people had signed up.
“From there, I figured we should get serious,” he said. “I asked [Montgomery ISD] if we could use their high school band room to perform, and they said yes.”
Fioretti said the community band is an opportunity for adults and former musicians to continue playing the instruments they love. Members of the band range from professional musicians to former high school band members.
“We have everything from music teachers to retired individuals to Lake Creek High School students,” he said. “Our youngest band member is 17 years old, and our oldest is 80 [years old]. A lot of people in the band are super appreciative that we put this together and have given people in the community an opportunity to get back out there and play.”
Fioretti said he hopes to schedule at least four concerts a year.
“We’re here for the long term, and we hope the community will support us,” he said.
The band’s first performance will include traditional band arrangements, including the soundtrack from the 1965 film “The Sound of Music.”
All concerts are free and open to the public. Montgomery Community Band is a nonprofit. Donations are accepted.
The Montgomery Community Band is free to join. Practices are conducted every Sunday at Montgomery High School.
