Earlier this year, IPR reported on the progress of the Traverse City Philharmonic's Act 2 Band, a group for adults with little to no prior musical experience who are interested in learning how to play a band instrument.
We followed the group of five friends who joined together, rehearsed together and even created a group text called "7th Grade Band" to keep themselves accountable.
They are continuing to practice together and have even picked up additional musicians along the way.
Each of these musicians has deep ties to Interlochen, and they have a combined 116 summers working at Interlochen Arts Camp. That's why they decided to learn how to play the Interlochen Theme together.
The original group of musicians includes Marlene Robinson (clarinet), Jean Callum (horn), Tom Wright (horn), Nancy Giffels (trombone) and Jennifer Wesling (percussion).
They've recently added Jamie Robinson, who plays the baritone horn, and Paula Herbart, who conducted this Studio A performance but will also start learning the baritone horn this fall.
Some of the musicians like Jamie and Jean are returning to instruments they played in high school after years away, and others are picking up different instruments than what they played in high school.
Marlene played the trombone in high school, but now she's picked up the clarinet.
"I was always on the wrong side of the band from my friends because they played the clarinet and flute," she said.
But Nancy has never played an instrument before - and she chose the trombone.
"It's never too late," she said.
Peter Deneen, director of TC Phil's adult beginning band programs, praised these musicians for taking the lead and setting an example.
"Every school band program has good student leadership," he said. "They can do so much more for a great program than a charismatic conductor."
The TC Phil's next sessions of Act 2 and Act 3 band begin in September.
"Don't be afraid," Jennifer said. "It's so much fun. And we go out to eat afterwards."
Benjamin Stephens engineered this edition of Studio A.
Emma Stadelmann is IPR's digital content producer.
