Building on the success of last year’s community band program, Charles VanMiddlesworth, Tonganoxie’s band director, is recruiting musicians to play in the 2003 community band.

The first practice is set for 7 p.m. next Tuesday at the band room on the east side of the high school.

Band practices, which will last about 90 minutes, will continue on Tuesday nights through the month of June.

“Basically, we’re looking for wind instrument musicians — woodwind or brass musicians — and percussionists,” he said. “We’re going to keep it to a traditional concert band setting.”

The community band will play a concert on July 1 at VFW Park.

“As always, we accept anybody and everybody so we can have lots of fun and really enjoy music,” VanMiddlesworth said. “It’s a chance for our community to be proud of the people in our community who can play.

“I know there are really a lot of talented people in our community. We had a great time doing this last year, and I know it’s going to be another excellent band this year.”

Last year was VanMiddlesworth’s first attempt at organizing a community band.

Since last summer, he’s been asked by a number of people whether he would again form a band.

“I think we might have a few more people than we had last year,” he said. “And I’m really hoping the people who were in it last year will come back.”

During the July 1 concert in the park, the music department booster club also will host an ice cream social and games for children. Proceeds from those events will benefit the Tonganoxie school music programs.