Classically Trained: Time to strike up Laguna's band

But what makes this community group unique are the efforts made to musically educate the ranks. With funding help of an $8,000 grant from the city, LCCB holds clinicians and master classes that have included members of the Pacific Symphony and other well-esteemed professionals.

"We're trying to give our musicians something special," Wood said, adding that he's wanting to form a strong relationship with Orange County's resident orchestra.

He could be off to a good start: Eleven members of LCCB are playing in OC Can You Play With Us?, a Pacific Symphony promotional event where community members will get to rehearse and play alongside the pros May 16 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Word on the O.C. streets is that Wood is playing first trumpet on Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" for the event. So he's been practicing.

"We want to do well and represent the band," he said with a laugh.

To learn more about the Laguna Community Concert Band, its upcoming concert, performance schedule and how to get involved, visit http://www.lccband.org or call (888) 308-8324.

BRADLEY ZINT is a copy editor for the Coastline Pilot and a classically trained musician. E-mail him story ideas at bradley.zint@latimes.com.