They never had their chance to sing Christmas carols before a crowd.

But the Mount Si Community Band, made up of local adults under the direction of Snoqualmie schools music teacher Dean Snavely, will get their moment in the spotlight this spring, with a benefit concert for a local parent-teacher group.

The community band performs as the opening act for the Snoqualmie Middle School PTSA fundraiser, Saturday, April 18.

Rehearsals have begun, 7 to 9 p.m., every Monday, in the Mount Si High School Band room.

The original 34 members of the community band tuned up last December for a planned concert at Mount Si High School. Practice was a must, as the average member had been “off music” for 26 years. Some members claimed they were afraid to even try blowing their horns. Rehearsals started off choppy, but the group sounded a little better every week.

Then, before they could go onstage for their concert, Dec. 19, the Valley was struck by winter storms and the show didn’t happen.

Now, the band is making a new beginning.

Snavely is dusting off his address book and seeking to have the band’s numbers grow as it tunes up for April.

To join the Mount Si Community Band, e-mail to snavelyd@svsd410.org or call (425) 831-8474.