Photo by Dwayne Black The Marshall City Band performs during music in the park on June 12. The band is looking for more musicians.

MARSHALL — The Marshall City Band is well known for entertaining concerts, but it aims to become even better with additional members.

At a recent Wednesday evening concert, co-conductor Wayne Ivers made a special appeal to the audience. He invited anyone with band experience to consider performing.

“If you play an instrument, we’d like to have you in the band,” Ivers said. “We’re having a good season, but new members are always helpful in a band like ours. We have room for more people on the stage.”

He said band organizers can provide a musical instrument if someone no longer has one at home. They could also provide lessons for those who want a refresher course.

He added that it’s possible to join the band even if a prospective member hasn’t played an instrument since high school. Band members can be any age, from teenagers to senior citizens.

“You don’t have to be an expert musician to play in the band,” Ivers said. “Most of our music is easy to learn. Rehearsing with other musicians is one of the best ways to improve.”

The city band rehearses Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Marshall Middle School band room. It performs Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Liberty Park bandshell. The season runs from early June until the middle of July, and includes a special Fourth of July concert at Independence Park.

The concerts feature a mixture of traditional and contemporary band music. Selections include show tunes, patriotic music, pop songs and classical pieces.

The current conductors (Ivers, John Ginocchio and Wes Myers) have kept many of the band’s traditions, which date back at least several decades.

One of them is the kids march, usually near the middle of the concert schedule. Concerts begin with the national anthem and usually end with a Sousa march.

Ivers said being part of the band is a good way to socialize and to build friendships.

He said people shouldn’t under estimate themselves if they consider becoming a member.

“Many adults believe they can’t play an instrument because they’ve forgotten how to play,” he said. “That’s almost never the case. People don’t forget completely. Once you learn an instrument, it’s a hobby that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.”