The rehearsal began with the warm toning and of the wind and brass instruments combined with chatting and laughter while the last of musicians entered the Alexander Junior High School Band Hall. The Ole Brook Wind Symphony had gathered for the last practice before their performance.

The Ole Brooke Wind Symphony annual concert will be Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Easthaven Baptist Church. Attendance is free and the public is invited to listen.

“It’s absolutely free, and we’d love to have everybody come. We just like the support,” said Steve Edge, who has been playing the Tuba with the group since 2003.

The orchestra is a volunteer group of musicians ranging from 17 to 85 years old. The group of individuals is from the surrounding five counties that have been united by their love of music. Even though they go by the name Ole Brook, members come from across Southwest Mississippi to play.

“We all love it,” said Edge. “You don’t outgrow it. It’s not like football or basketball, we can play this until we are pretty old. As long as we can still breath, we can play.”

The group was started in 2001 with the help of George Edmonson, Susan Jones, Patsy Warren and Shaw Furlow. It is a completely volunteer group and anyone is invited to join. They play brass, woodwind and percussion instruments. Some members include former band directors, an interior designer, teachers, engineers, a youth minister and doctors. The Ole Brook Symphony gives the community a place to play.

“The program includes marching, big band, and we’ll have some religious stuff. It’s a pretty diverse concert coming out this time,” said Edge.

The program for this year’s concert includes “Colossus of Columbia,” “Fantasy on American Sailing Songs,” “Cajun Folk Songs,” “March Electric,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “Amparito Roca,” “Mercury,” “Billy Joel in Concert” and Big Band Classics like “Tuxedo Junction,” “Serenade in Blue” and “In the Mood”.

Ole Brook Wind Symphony has two performances a year. The other is in celebration of the Fourth of July.

The group is composed of volunteers. There is no age limit, dues or fees and no audition is required to join. For more information follow the Ole Brook Wind Symphony group on Facebook.