NORTHAMPTON — The Florence Community Band has put on many concerts in its nearly quarter-century of existence, but the longtime group of volunteer musicians is about to embark on a first as it prepares for this spring’s annual concert.

When the 55-member band takes the stage at Northampton High School next Sunday in the high school auditorium, they’ll be joined by talent from New Horizons, another community band for those over 55, and the NHS band to create an 110-person, multigenerational symphony.

The idea came about organically because the Florence Community Band practices at the high school, and Ross and NHS Band Director Paul Kinsman began discussing a concert collaboration.

“We rehearse here every Wednesday night and (he) approached us because his spring semester group was very small, so he asked if he could piggyback onto our concert,” Ross said, noting that 14 musicians isn’t enough to have a large concert.

Around the same time, New Horizons Band Director Nancy Janoson also expressed interest in teaming up with the Florence band.

“So we made (the concert) two halves instead of just 45 minutes,” Ross said.

The musicians — from teenagers to those in their 80s — were in their element last Wednesday during a rehearsal at the high school. Before the rehearsal began in earnest, chaos ensued as the three different bands, playing any instrument imaginable at random, warmed up in preparation for the concert.

But within moments the several generations that filled the entire room became a united sound as they were directed to play a muscial piece called “Remington B. Flat” for practice, and then got to business playing, “The Winds of Change,” and later a band rendition of “Uptown Funk.”

These are a couple of the songs that will be played as part of Sunday’s concert, which is taking place under the theme, “For the love of music.”

Ross stresses that the concert is “free, free, free, free, free” to the public and will feature a medley of music that is designed to make the projected audience of about 200 “feel good.”

She said the show will also appeal to a multigenerational audience by throwing in “something from the 40s, some swing, and some sort of emotional piece.”

Also, she noted, approximately 70% of songs featured are also by women, or people of color in addition to other classics that will be played, including one by the Beatles.

The multiple generations there shared how they’re all behind the concert’s theme, with some giving glimpses into their own devotion.

Florence Community Band member Mark Hoover, who will be wrapped in his tuba during the concert, said that his instrument “saved his life” while in junior high. He is excited to be part of a long American tradition of “town square bands” which he said go back “generations.”

He also said young people should consider picking up an instrument because music is a lifelong consolation that you don’t lose midlife due to aging or slowing down, he said.

“Music you can play your whole life. Football? No, no,” he said.

And this is the exact lesson Kinsman hopes his students pick up as part of this collaboration.

“My big goal is to show them that you can put down an instrument for six days, six months, or 20 years, and it will always be there,” shared Kinsman.

Beatriz Salles, a sophomore bassist in the high school’s band who sat beside Hoover, was seen developing her own lifelong attachment.

She is especially excited to be part of the fuller sound that 110 people will produce, in addition to being able to play concert band pieces, instead of outdoor band themes that are rehearsed and played for at football games.

Janoson, New Horizon’s conductor, said she’s been doing this for “centuries” — as have many in the New Horizon’s community band which welcomes those over 55, and has members as young as 85.

She told those in the room that despite everyone’s different backgrounds who were there to perform, that, “the music, the love, and the skill are the same.”

As for the Florence Community Band, which was formed in 2001 to provide musicians the opportunity to gather regularly to play ensemble music, this venue is just another way for the group to share their love of music.

“Anybody is welcome, no matter their age, experience, or ability,” Ross said, the same way she invites everyone to come out for next Sunday’s concert, which will begin at 2 p.m.

Participants are welcome to contribute a voluntary donation of a nonperishable food item, which will then be donated to the Northampton Survival Center.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com