If you stop by the Grange Hall on Town Street in East Haddam on the fourth Monday of the month, you'll likely find a motley crew performing unrehearsed live music.

People from diverse backgrounds in varying ages huddle together in tune to celebrate and create music together. Bound by their passion for making music, the East Haddam Community Music Circle draws together individuals who might not otherwise have found themselves in the same room.

Ken Tosi says music unites people of all types. "Music is a great thing to get into; it creates a commonality that brings people together, no matter their background." 

The goal of the circle is to encourage the value of investing time in recreational music, playing for the purpose of building self-esteem, in a non-judgmental, encouraging and nurturing environment. 

According to Pete Govert, creator and author of the Community Music Circle Network, "it's not about teaching people to play, it’s about giving people permission to play."

The key is to find a common ground, by "finding songs we can all work together on." Govert facilitates the progression of the evening and sets the tone for making music as a group. The circle is comprised of members with varying degrees of musicality who take turns choosing, leading and calling out the chords of songs for the group to play.

All acoustic instruments are welcome: guitars, mandolins, auto-harps, percussion toys, hand drums, harmonicas and more.

Regardless of background, age and musical experience, the group is able to come together and create music — and through that process, have fun.

Steve LaVoi enjoys attending. "It's a good time and I try to come as regularly as I can."

Ray Smith explains that part of the group met when these parents of young kids "played Little League together and the parents met on the sidelines." Today, it's not only the parents participating, but "the [grown] kids enjoy coming to play as well."

The East Haddam Community Music Circle meets monthly at the Grange Hall, 488 Town St., at 7:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to participate by bringing an instrument of their choice, or to drop by and enjoy the music. 

For information, see http://easthaddam.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.faq&faqTypeID=6.