Forty seasons of making music together deserves more than a polite little nod.

It deserves an audience.

NWGA WINDS is celebrating its 40th season, and the October 8 concert at Rome City Auditorium offers a chance to applaud a musical tradition that has become part of life in our community.

The anniversary program brings together old favorites and newer hits, with Rachelle Barr and Marvin Williams featured as guest vocalists.

Admission is free, which removes one fairly common excuse for staying home.

A milestone worth hearing

The concert is listed as Celebrating 40!, R.O.M.E.’s Ruby Anniversary, a fitting name for a season celebrating four decades of community music.

Dr. Sam Baltzer, artistic director and conductor, leads the ensemble.

A milestone like this is about more than a number printed on a program.

It is about musicians continuing to come together and listeners continuing to make room in their lives for a live performance.

That relationship is what turns a concert series into a community tradition.

Familiar favorites and fresh company

The combination of old favorites, new hits and two featured vocalists gives this anniversary evening a welcoming starting point.

You do not need to arrive with a music degree or a carefully researched opinion about the program.

You can simply take a seat and enjoy hearing local musicians share the stage.

Bring somebody who has attended for years, or somebody who has never given a community band concert a try.

An anniversary is a good occasion for both.

Free admission, real community value

Rome has plenty of reasons to be proud of its performing arts, and keeping those traditions healthy takes an audience as well as performers.

Showing up is a small, practical way to say that this work matters.

Make Thursday, October 8 a night to visit Rome City Auditorium, reconnect with a familiar ensemble and welcome its featured singers.

Forty seasons is a fine achievement.

Helping the WINDS celebrate with a full house would be an even finer birthday present.