The All Island Concert Band is offering free music lessons to rusty players and novice musicians who can devote time to playing concerts.

An intergenerational group, the band’s youngest member is in 7th grade, and the oldest is 82. They perform 32 concerts throughout the year and are a fixture of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, July 4th Parade and during the holiday season.

Director George Konopik said footloose musicians often come and go, putting the band at a constant state of flux. The band would like to boost its sections, especially the trombones, French horns and bass horns.

Konopik will spend Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m., helping musicians get up to speed at the Oak Harbor Middle School band room. The All Island Band focuses on standard concert band repertoire including patriotic marches, light overtures and waltzes.

“We would really like to see some older folks sign up,” he said.

Research shows that people who are busy and keep their mind occupied can to a certain extent overcome or prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s, Konopik said. He added that people who have health problems or physical ailments have an easier time sitting down and playing an instrument.

“Some people have always wanted to play and think it’s too late, but it’s never really too late to discover music,” he said.

The band has a small cache of instruments to loan to people taking lessons.

A career music teacher for 40 years, Konopik has taught in Ecuador, Pakistan and spent 19 years teaching in Oak Harbor. He was a charter member of the All Island Band when it was created in 1966.

“We are part of the community and we don’t charge for our efforts,” Konopik said. “It’s our way of giving back.”

Members of the band will often play for walk-a-thons, charities, and give performances outside of stores during Christmas.

Those interested can contact Konopik at 678-5778, or Steve Talmadge at 679-3310.