By Oda Lisa
Published in The Wimberley View 2/2/17

On Tuesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m., the Hill Country Community Band will delight their audience with light and lively instrumentals during their free, winter concert. The First Baptist Church of Wimberley will play host home for the special event. The evening’s performance will offer the majestic and inspirational music of award-winning composer and arranger, Dennis Eveland, most notably the selections, “Fanfare for a New Generation” and “American Spirit”. Director, James Malik said, “The band is completely volunteer.” The musicians are from Wimberley and other areas from New Braunfels to Austin.

Referring to his involvement as director, Malik said, “This is my third season when I first moved into the area, I was able to find the Hill Country Community Band through a previous director. For the first several years, I was just the saxophone player, and really, really enjoyed doing that. Then, I had the opportunity to move up and become the director, and jumped at that.” Besides directing for the HCCB, Malik is in his eighth season as Director of Bands at Wallace Middle School in Kyle. He has a total of 13 years of teaching experience.

Malik explained one of the non-profit group’s goals, saying, “The purpose is to serve as an outlet. We have many talented people in this community. There are a lot of people who played an instrument throughout their upbringing, whether it was in middle school, high school, or college, and never got rid of the love of playing. They wanted to have the opportunity to play more, so this is a musical outlet, an artistic outlet.” Noting a second purpose, he said, “There is a social aspect, the comradery of meeting new people, and to celebrate all things music.” The band rehearses at 7:00 p.m. each Tuesday in Wimberley, three weeks at Chapel in the Hills and at Wallace Middle School once a month. Malik said, “The number of members varies, but usually there are about 45 musicians at the rehearsals.”

Appealing to instrumentalists everywhere, he added, “We’re always looking for new people. There is no level of experience necessary, in as far as, you don’t have to be professional. We just want you to want to work hard, to want to have fun playing your instrument. We’ll find a place for you.”

Seeking support from the listening community, he said, “We love to have a great audience to play to. Our biggest joy is our Fourth of July concert that we do with the Community Chorus. That’s always a standing-room-only performance at the First Baptist Church of Wimberley.” Also, corporate and private tax-deductible donations are always welcome.

For more information about joining the Hill Country Community Band or donating time or money, contact board President, Les Tucker, at [email protected]. Visit the HCCB website at www.hillcountrycommunityband.org, while their new site is under construction.