Patrick McCarty, LEFT, and Gary McCarty teach 6News reporter Mark Boyle how to play some percussion instruments before a Lawrence City Band concert in South Park.

Editor’s note: Reporter Mark Boyle takes us behind the scenes of news stories in the area. This week, he battles the heat along with hundreds of other area residents all in the name of good music. The Lawrence City Band has been playing free concerts since the late 1800s, and its Wednesday night performances continue to draw large crowds of people representing all age groups.

Last October, Patrick McCarty of the Lawrence High School Marching Band tested my musical ability for the first time. Eight months ago we were playing a snare drum with the marching drum line. This week, I am reporter-turned-percussionist again. McCarty and I were granted bass drum privileges as we tried to keep up with a timeless tradition in the Lawrence City Band.

“It’s gratifying because people enjoy it so much,” said Bob Foster, band conductor and a band member of 38 years. “It’s a great community to be a part of and it enables us to bring entertainment in a really classy setting … it’s just a great tradition.”

After speaking with the four members of the City Band percussion section, it was obvious that come show time on Wednesday night, none of them would be restricted to just one instrument.

“We all play everything and you never know when someone is going to reach over and hit a triangle with one hand while doing something with the other hand,” said Gary McCarty, who is a general percussionist with the Lawrence City Band. “The trick is to get music played with four people that usually takes five or six.”

Reminiscent of my afternoon with the LHS Marching Band, Patrick McCarty threw some sheet music in front of me along with a bass drum mallet, and with little to no training we were off and running with a song titled “Black Horse.” True novice that I was, there were several stares and snickers from a joking horn section to whom it was obvious that I had little to no percussion-playing experience.

For those who frequent the South Park concerts on Wednesday nights, I can assure you that while the music is wonderful, it surely isn’t easy to play.

The City Band plays free concerts, weather permitting, Wednesday nights in the summer at the South Park Gazebo. For more information on the band’s history or concert schedule, log onto www.lawrencecityband.com.