The new Community Band ensemble from Desert Hills Community School of Music is presenting its first concert 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, 34605 N. Tom Darlington Road.

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the concert – which is free and open to the public – will feature an hour of Irish music performed by more than 25 local musicians of all ages, as well as refreshments served afterwards.

Consisting of woodwind, brass and percussion players aged 16 and up (and open to younger members by audition), the Desert Hills Community Band offers an opportunity for participants to grow their musical skills and experience the joy of making music with others. In preparation for the March 17 concert, the group began meeting for rehearsals in January.

As DHCSM’s third musical ensemble group – in addition to the Saxophone Ensemble and Flute Choir – the Community Band is led by Jeffrey Anthony, director of traditional music at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church and a former band director. A versatile musician with an extensive performance history across the United States and internationally as a member of the Joseph Wytko Saxophone Quartet, Anthony has played in the pit orchestra for various musical productions, performing on the saxophone, clarinet and bass clarinet, flute and piccolo, oboe and piano.

The Community Band and DHCSM’s other ensembles are designed to offer musicians of all levels an opportunity to develop their musical abilities in a fun, supportive environment. To learn more about Desert Hills Community School of Music and its upcoming events and classes, visit deserthillsmusic.org.