If you’re a customer of Athens Habitat’s east side ReStore, you’ve probably met assistant manager Will Pogue. But you probably didn’t know that Will is also the president of the Classic City Band. And if you don’t know what the Classic City Band is, have we got a Halloween treat for you!

“We are the longest continuously running community band in Georgia,” says Pogue. The group got started more than 40 years ago, in 1976, and on their 30th anniversary in 2006 they were designated as the official municipal band of Athens, GA. Pogue joined the ensemble 5 years ago as a trombone player after playing with the renowned UGA Redcoat Band.

But you don’t have to be an accomplished musician to play with Classic City. “Anyone can join,” Pogue explains, “and we have members that are aged from 16 to 90. No one in the band is paid. We are an entirely volunteer based organization.” The group comprises various ensembles including Big Band Athens, Classic City Dixiedawgs, and the German Polka Band.

Pogue is especially enthusiastic about their upcoming fall concert this Sunday at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, which will include a mix of jazz, pop, show tunes, classical/traditional pieces, and even excerpts from operas and musicals. “This concert is a quilt of many different pieces,” say Pogue. “It features a polka, opera music, theatrical musical scores, some marches from the famous John Philip Sousa, and the original Candide Overture by Leonard Bernstein.”

The concert is Sunday, October 28th, at 2:00 pm at the Conservatory and Visitor Center of the Botanical Garden on South Milledge. The event is free and open to the public, although donations to the band and the garden are welcomed. We hope to see you there for a fun family show!

If you’re interested in joining the Classic City Band, they meet for weekly practices every Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at Cedar Shoals High School. There is no fee to join, but members must be at least 14 years of age.