If the Columbia Community Concert Band gets its birthday wish, all 600 former members will show up at at its 7:30 pm concert and reception Friday, April 7 to help celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Such a groundswell of support would fill many of the seats at the Airport High School venue, but band members would gladly relinquish their own chairs and give a musical standing ovation to those musicians who, over the last quarter century, contributed to the success of the band. From an ensemble of 14 charter members, the ranks of the bank have swelled under director Bill Ackerman's leadership. Today the band is comprised of 80 volunteer members.

The best chance at reconnecting with former band members is its sole charter member, flute and piccolo player Betty Myers. After playing at Spring Valley High School, then with the Marching Gamecocks, Myers said she would have been at a loss if Ackerman had not founded CCCB in 1981. She has played with the band throughout its organization.

"Without an opportunity like this, many people who enjoyed playing in a band would have just put their instruments on a shelf and never played again. If you have band in your blood, this band's for you."

Myers, who also performs with the Lake Murray Symphony, credits Ackerman with keeping the CCC band tuned up and playing. Ackerman has been inducted into the SC Music Hall of Fame, has been president of the SC Band Directors' Association, and the SC Music Educators' Association. Inviting back former band members for this special recognition is one way the community band is celebrating its anniversary. A staple at Piccolo Spoleto's Memorial Day concert in Charleston, the band also accepts invitations to perform with the Association of Concert Bands as well as the American School Band Directors Association, and meetings of the South Carolina Music Educators Association.

The band's intention is to entertain the community, pay tribute to beloved music, and afford its musicians an opportunity to continue playing an instrument they oftentimes have loved since their school days.