“It has distinctive qualities,” said director Joe Brice of the music selected for “Music Can Be Fun,” Highlands Ranch Concert Band’s first free family-oriented concert in 2011. It’s scheduled at 2 p.m. Jan. 30, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 3350 White Bay Drive, Highlands Ranch.

The program will include “Symphonic Songs for Band” arranged by Robert Russell Bennett, which presents a musical puzzle, Brice said. “Star of Dreams” by contemporary composer Robert W. Smith is a musical description of Texas history, with a Mariachi band, cavalry and even a stampede, according to Brice.

“Washington Grays March,” martial music composer Claudio Grafulla’s (1810-1880) most popular piece, was written for the New York State Militia’s 8th Regimental Band during the Civil War. “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite March” by Karl King is a circus march.

The band members enjoy challenging music, Brice said, adding that today’s high school band music is some of the most challenging literature available. He was band director and fine arts coordinator for 40 years at Smoky Hill High School and keeps an ongoing busy schedule. In addition to the Highlands Ranch Concert Band and its adjunct Swing Shift Big Band, he directs a southeast Denver group, the Over the Hill Band at Smoky Hill.

He started playing the piano at his father’s insistence, he said, then graduated to a trumpet in grade school. Now, he can play just about any band instrument.

“It’s kind of like a plumber needing to know all the pipes,” he said.

He originally joined this band he leads, playing trombone and French horn and has played professionally in the area.

And he and his wife coordinate a regional high school band festival with 80 bands in five locations across the state during one week — and they visit them all.

In the summer and when he’s otherwise unavailable, his colleague Rob Yost works with the Highlands Ranch band. Brice and his wife head to Europe in the summers, where they enjoy art and he does some research. Northern Italy is on the 2011 itinerary, he said.

Band president Kelley Messall, who plays the clarinet, says the band is always looking for new members. Present membership is about 60, with ages ranging from teens to seniors. No auditions are needed. Rehearsals are 7:45 to 9:15 on Wednesdays at ThunderRidge High School and the group plays several winter concerts, plus a schedule of outdoor summer programs and some Highlands Ranch civic functions.

Have an old horn in your closet that you’ve enjoyed? For information about membership, visit www.hrconcertband.org. or contact the membership coordinator, membership@hrconcertband.org.

If you go:

“Music Can Be Fun” is the title for Highlands Ranch Concert Band’s first free concert in 2011 at 2 p.m. Jan. 30, St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church, 3350 White Bay Dr., Highlands Ranch.