Coastal community band unites generations, concert to be held April 29

Some of the best seasoned musicians in the San Diego area play for the Coastal Communities Concert Band (CCCBand), and they are showing high school students in Del Mar and nearby areas that you can play music for the rest of your life — and be good at it.

Approximately 30 musicians from the San Dieguito Union High School District, chosen by their band directors, will join the Coastal Communities Concert Band for a concert of popular music on April 29 at San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas.

“Many of our members have played for decades, and many are professional musicians,” said Del Mar resident Lucy Zizka, who has played bassoon in the band for five years. “It’s really an honor for the kids to play with us … We get letters from parents and students thanking us for the experience.”

Twelve of these students will also be auditioning for scholarships from the CCCBand, and these awards will be presented at the concert.

“Part of our mission statement is to enhance music education, and this is a big reward for the really good kids,” Zizka said.

One of the awards is in honor of the late Don Caneva, who was a well-known and highly respected former CCCBand director.

Last year’s Caneva Scholarship winner, Ashley Kim, will also perform a flute solo with the band, directed by Robert Fleming. Fleming, a retired marching band director from Arizona State University, commutes to San Diego from Arizona each week to direct band rehearsals.

Beginning with 14 members, the nonprofit adult community band, comprised of experienced musicians who are attorneys, doctors, engineers, school teachers, professional musicians and others, has grown to more than 85 members who reside throughout San Diego County. The band is housed under the San Dieguito Adult School, and although band members enroll as a class, auditions are still necessary and the band generally stays full.

Tickets will be available at the door or in advance by calling Kris Sims at (760) 436-6137. For more information on the band, visit www.cccband.com. San Dieguito Academy is located at 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024.

By Claire Harlin

editor@delmartimes.net