By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
May 2, 2009 - 01:48 p.m. EST

BAY CITY — Playing a musical instrument does not have to stop after high school or college.

Some local musicians have found a musical outlet as part of the Bay Concert Band. The group allows them to keep the beat going as long as they are willing to play.

“Our members range in age from high school to 80 and older,” said director David Kjellberg. “We have a wide range of people and skills of all levels. Anyone who is willing and wants to play is welcome.”

Being welcome to play is all that it took for Yvonne Haines of Vassar.

“I started playing in the ninth grade, but after high school, I didn’t play for about 30 years,” said the 74-year-old trombone player.

Despite difficulty in walking, due to two artificial knees, Haines has supported the brass section of the Bay Concert Band for about 25 years now.

“I love it,” she said. “I’ll play until they can’t get me in and out of there anymore.”

Haines travels to the rehearsals at Bay City Central High School and to the concerts with several local bandmates.

“Band people are nice people,” she said. “They want to make music and they are just a nice group.”

Several from the Bay Concert Band are also members of the Vassar City Band and other local groups such as The Pickle Band.

Kathleen Johnson of Reese, said she never thought she was good enough to be part of a concert band with only three years of experience on the flute - she didn’t pick up the instrument for more than 20 years.

“I’ve come a long way,” she said proudly. “It’s fun and it’s good exercise for my breathing because I have asthma.”

The Bay Concert Band, also known as Second Wind, was formed in 1977. The group organizes four concerts per year. On Monday, the band will have a dress rehearsal for their upcoming Spring Concert, which will take place the following day, Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bay City Central High School Auditorium.

Admission to the concert is $8 for adults and tickets for students and seniors are $5 each. Tickets will be available at the door.

Tuscola County musicians who will play in Tuesday’s spring concert include: Haines, Johnson, Walter “Spike” Moser, of Millington on the tuba; Jason Maurer of Reese, on the tuba; Les Dale of Frankenmuth, in the percussion section; Phil Chelekis of Vassar, in the percussion section; Robert Tallman of Mayville, on the clarinet; Nancy Bittner of Vassar, on the clarinet; Bob Pepera of Vassar, on the trumpet; Joanne Smith of Caro, on the trumpet; Steve Franko, of Vassar on the flute and piccolo. Franko will also perform a flute solo during the concert.

Members of the band pay dues that go toward funding scholarships for aspiring musicians. Some of those scholarship recipients also play in the band.

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.