By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

Effingham County has an outlet for people who love to listen to music; and also for people who love to play music.

For those who love to listen to music, the Effingham Community Orchestra will present a concert on June 22 at Rincon Global Methodist Church, 107 Savannah Ave., Rincon.

For those who love to play music – even if your instrument hasn’t seen the light of day since high school – the Effingham Community Orchestra may have a seat for you.

Just imagine percussion, woodwinds, strings, brass all jamming together just for fun. New music is distributed. The conductor taps the baton and the music begins.

“Our concert on June 22 is going to be classical and pop concert,” said Virginia Patterson, CEO of the Effingham Community Orchestra. One of the numbers they plan to perform is “Africa” by Toto. “I.ve been dying to play this for years,” Patterson said excitedly, who also plays percussion with the orchestra. “We’ve finally found an arrangement we like.”

Other selections being rehearsed for June 22 include a Stevie Wonder medley, tunes from “Skyfall,” “The Lion King,” and “Coriolan” – a piece sort of like a Greek tragedy with lots of eighth notes, according to conductor Charles Patterson.

It really seems to be a happy place for the members who meet together twice a month to jam and prepare for concerts.

“I like the fact that it’s a community band where everyone’s welcome,” Gordon Heung, percussionist, said. “And we’re doing stuff for the community.” Heung works for Gulfstream and has been with the orchestra since 2017.

Conductor Charles Patterson patiently answers questions about tacit, measures of rest and tempo after new music is handed out.

“The members are all volunteer and pay dues -- $140 per year – to help us pay rent, store equipment, and buy music, which is very expensive,” Patterson said. The orchestra rehearses at the United Way building in Rincon. “We do discount the dues if there is more than one member of a family playing in the orchestra,” Virginia Patterson said. “And we’ve had entire families join us.

“We try to do four concerts a year, and some other special things from time to time,” Patterson added.

The orchestra’s next public performance will be during Guyton’s Sale on the Trail/Earth Day Celebration on April 20 along the Guyton walking trail on Central Ave.

Musicians who want to play just have to dust off their instruments.

“We don't have an audition process,” Patterson explained. “Musicians who are interested in dusting off their old instrument if they haven't played for a while, or high schoolers who just want an extra excuse to practice their instrument or practice a different instrument if they are interested in more than one. We encourage them to come play with us.”

There’s just one small catch. Once a musician joins the orchestra, he or she should at least commit to play through the next concert.

“They're welcome to come try us out before they commit. We have a committal process to commit to the next concert at least,” Patterson said.

For more information about the orchestra, check out its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/effinghamcommunityorchestra.