Free finale from the Capital City Community Band

After the Capital City Community Band plays the final note of its holiday concert on Sunday night, its members will do something most of them would prefer not to do.

Take a break.

"My membership doesn't want to take time off, they want to keep playing," said Richard Doede, band director.

The band will present its final concert of the year at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Bob Boldrick Theater in the Carson City Community Center. The concert is expected to last just over an hour and will include marches, concert pieces and holiday tunes.

The volunteer band encompasses 45 members ranging in age from a middle school student to senior citizens. The only requirement is that members be able to read college-level music.

"Some of them haven't played for 30 years and wanted to play again, so they picked it back up. That's kind of what we are about, just the desire to play," Doede said. "This group is nothing like any group I've ever had. They like what they are doing, and they feel like they are accomplishing something."

Doede would know, having spent many years in the band department of the Carson City School District and having played the saxophone for the last 75 years.

"I started playing the violin at 4 and then switched to the saxophone at 12," Doede said.

The band puts on between eight and 10 concerts a year, and because it doesn't charge for concerts, the band uses donations to purchase music rights.

"Band arrangements cost between $80 and $300, and that lasts about three or four minutes so we definitely need donations," Doede said.

After its holiday concert, the band will take a short hiatus before beginning practice for a concert in March in conjunction with fifth- and sixth-grade students.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: Free concert by the Capital City Community Band

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Bob Boldrick Theater, Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Call: 883-2219