The Midsomer Norton Accordion Band, one of the longest-running charitable groups in the area, may be forced to fold unless they can gain some new members.

Running off the back of National Accordion Awareness Month, which ran throughout June, the band are now actively seeking new members so that they can continue with their charitable works.

The Midsomer Norton Accordion Band was formed in 1937 by a local man, Mr Gerald Stenner, and up until now, has been running consistantly, providing concerts for charitable services and donating proceeds to local causes.

For various reasons, the band are in desperate need of new members to keep their organisation going, so that they can continue to do charitable works and, of course, remain one of the longest serving community groups in the area. Anyone wanting to join them is welcome.

There is a lot of musical talent found in the band, which spans several generations, with members' ages ranging from 25 to 85 and, as such, would be easily accessible for musicians of any age wanting to join the band.

The accordion is versatile in all respects of music, i.e. classical, contemporary, timeless easy listening, as well as traditional sounds. The band's repertoire includes music from well-known shows, such as 'Oliver!', 'The Sound of Music' and 'Grease'; dance music, including tangos, waltzes, quicksteps, foxtrots, singalongs, marches, classical and music from around the world, so there really is something for everyone.

The band are also searching for a Musical Director to help lead the way. At the last AGM, the remainder of the members were mostly ready to end the band. The remaining funds would be donated to charity and equipment sold or given to charities or education. Ryan Collins, a member of the band, managed to convince the committee to 'suspend' the band for a period of a year, with the hope of finding new members to play instruments or to take on a Musical Director or Conductor's role so that the organisation could continue.

If the band are not able to find some new members before the next AGM, in January 2014, the chances are that the band will fold for good after over 75 years in formation. This would be a huge loss for the area. The committee would love to meet anyone with an interest in the band. Not just playing the accordion; they are happy to consider any musicians at any level (in the band's heyday it had a brass section, they've even had guitarists in the past!). They would love to meet anyone willing to conduct or serve as a Musical Director and anyone interested in promoting local music and the accordion. Ryan Collins said: "Accordionists, pianists, percussionists, conductors, arrangers – we need them all! The band are happy to receive players who are just learning, or players who haven't played for a while.

"We are at a stage where the band could be whatever the members wanted ... We just need some more members so that we can move forward!" If anyone is interested in joining the band, in any capacity, please visit the 'contact us' section of the group's website: http://www.msnaccordionband.co.uk">www.msnaccordionband.co.uk