Getting the best out of a f-sharp and semi-quaver, Glasgow Community Concert Band has welcomed musicians of all abilities over the past 30 years.

Having grown in reputation as a band at the heart of the community, from its beginnings people of all ages and backgrounds have thrived with the chance to improve their talents through unique practice sessions and live performances across the city.

While you might not see the band on the stage of King Tuts or the Barrowland, they’ve performed at some of city’s most iconic annual charity events.

And with the band’s winter season practice sessions just underway, conductor Alastair McDonald shares the importance of the inclusive welcome every new member receives.

He says: “We don’t ask our players to audition when they join and we are not a competitive band. Because of that we can enjoy rehearsing and playing music in a relaxed and fun way.”

It’s a practice environment that’s paid dividends, with the band been invited in the last five years to support the annual Glasgow Children’s Charity Walk.

READ MORE: Glasgow charity shop Ice Box 'devastated' after flood destroys stock

In April, the band played their repertoire of jazz, classical, show tunes and rock and blues for the first time as they encouraged Kiltwalk participants over the finish line in Balloch.

James Gow who lives in Easterhouse is one of the longest playing members in the band, having joined in 1994 while in his teens. Following a nine year gap, James returned and has been providing low notes in the brass section with his e-flat tuba ever since.

Over the years James has witnessed how the band has brought people together, as he says: “What you have is that common connection to music and I think that’s been great with this band, as it’s enabled people who possibly after school might have quit playing an instrument.”

James adds: “The community part of the band has always been in our ethos. I grew up in the East End and it’s much easier to hear music that it is to get into playing music.

“Playing concert band instruments is expensive and a lot of people can’t afford an instrument, so we’ve always tried to help them buy what they need to keep playing.”

READ MORE: Rangers fan proposes to girlfriend as he faces cancer fight: 12 years after beating disease

16-year-old Wilson Buchanan is one of the band’s newest members. Admitting that he’s already grown in confidence since joining this year, trombone player Wilson says: “It’s really good to have somewhere outwith school where I can play with people at different levels and experiences.

“To anyone that thinks a community concert band might not be for them I would say just go for it.

“It’s really laid back and you’re never under pressure to perform. There’s no auditions and plenty of time between concerts to practice as it’s not heavy duty.”

Staying true to their community roots, the band will be playing at the Forfar Avenue Residential Care Home on August 31st, reflecting the band’s ethos of making the power of live music accessible to people in Glasgow.

Sharing why the band is looking forward to this particular performance, James says: “We’ve got an ageing population and it’s really interesting to go into care homes and use live music as it has a big impact on people who are living with dementia.

“It’s amazing to see people really respond to the music. The last time we played in a home was a few Christmases ago and everyone was singing away and even a couple of people were shouting at us. Of course, it was part of their condition but it still made the situation hilarious as if we were being heckled.”

In the run up to Christmas, the band will be performing shows, including the first at BAaD, Barras Art and Design on December 1st and two days later at Braehead Shopping Centre.

New brass, wind and percussion players are always welcomed by the band at their Tuesday evening practice sessions at Parkhead Church between 7.15-9.15pm.