By Ron Goldenberg

Somewhere in the West Island, there are a lot of musical instruments sitting in closets.

Saxophones that haven't played a note in years. Clarinets in cases that haven't been opened since you left school. Trumpets, flutes and trombones whose owners keep saying: “One of these days, I'd like to start playing again.”

Maybe this September is one of those days. One of the most common things we hear from people considering joining the West Island New Horizons Band is: “I haven't played in years. I'm probably too rusty.” Good.

Rusty musicians are something of a specialty around here.

Many of our members returned to their instruments after a break. Others started playing later in life. Some are experienced musicians. Some are still figuring things out.

What they have in common is that they enjoy making music with other people.

And here's something worth remembering: you don't have to practise for six months before you're “ready” to join a band.

Playing in the band is part of how you get ready. At first, you might miss some notes. You might lose your place. You might look around hoping nobody noticed that you came in two measures early. We've all been there. Then something happens. The notes start coming back. You remember more than you thought you did. You begin looking forward to rehearsal. And somewhere along the way, you realize that Thursday night has become one of your favourite nights of the week.

Our new season begins in mid-September, and it's an ideal time to join us.

So if there's an instrument sitting somewhere in your house gathering dust, take it out. Open the case. Play a few notes. Don't worry too much about how they sound.

You might be surprised where those first few notes lead.

At the West Island New Horizons Band, our motto is simple:

“Your best is good enough.”

Come play with us.