WESTPORT — The Westport Community Band (WCB) and area middle school musicians collaborated last week on the annual “Play with the Community Band” program.

For the 23rd year, WCB invited local middle school band directors to nominate second year instrumental students to participate in this activity. These students have rehearsed not only among themselves, but also with the Community Band to prepare for the concert that concluded this years’ program of music.

Student musicians attended five rehearsals, playing for a period of time with their fellow student musicians, and then the students were joined by the adult members of WCB. The Community Band members mentored the younger musicians in an exchange of musical information, which has proved beneficial to the young students.

Both groups are under the direction of longtime WCB Director Sal LaRusso, who also conducts the WesWinds Ensemble at Wesleyan University and is an instructor of instrumental music at the Cider Mill Elementary School in Wilton.

The project culminated on Friday, May 10, with an evening performance in the auditorium of Bedford Middle School in Westport.

Among those participating in the project this year were Reed Intermediate School students. Representing Newtown were oboe player Ella Grace Renak; flute players Dominick Hampton and Brooke Remson; clarinet player Sara Heinen; bass clarinetist Ava Almeter; and percussionist Ryan Michlovitz.

Participants also represented schools in Fairfield (Tomlinson Middle School and Unquowa School), Greenwich (Central Middle School), Norwalk (The Side By Side Charter School), Ridgefield (Ridgefield Academy), Trumbull (Christian Heritage School), Wilton (Middlebrook School), and Weston (Weston Middle School).

Including the Newtown students, a total of 48 young musicians participated in Play With The Band this year.

This year’s program was made possible by a grant by Westport Women’s Club.

Westport Community Band is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Westport Continuing Education. The approximately 65 members are from all over Fairfield County as well as out of state.

Each year, members of WCB reportedly look forward to mentoring their younger fellow musicians. Over the 23 years, many area student musicians have utilized this program. The feedback from the student musicians, the school band directors, and the parents has been positive. In fact, one member of the adult WCB is a former student musician who is now a music educator himself.

In addition to providing its members with an opportunity to continue their involvement with music, the Westport Community Band has a strong commitment to not only mentoring the area student musicians, but also to performing at community events in the area, such as appearances at Levitt Pavilion, the annual Veteran’s Day observance at Westport Town Hall, accompanying veterans at the Westport Memorial Day Parade, and the Weston Family Fourth, in addition to many other concerts and musical visits to local nursing homes, senior centers, and libraries.