The Vermilion Community Music Association (VCMA) operates as a public charity. That is to say, it is a non-profit and un-incorporated association. The organization was founded April 29th of 1996 by its conductor, Gregory F. Trocchia. In the beginning, after a great deal of planning and talking, thirteen interested musicians gathered at Commodore’s Place in Vermilion, Ohio. Their purpose was to consider the possibility of creating an area community music association. Once the idea was fully aired and explained by Trocchia, without exception the thirteen decided they would give it a try. The VCMA has been regularly meeting on Thursdays ever since, with many performances in and around the Vermilion area.

Originally designed to accommodate adult musicians singing and playing traditional band instruments for recreation, the association's goals have been evolving somewhat. Foremost among these goals is the opportunity for members to refresh musical abilities and experience a vast array of music. In this regard the VCMA has proven to be an excellent vehicle. Having said that, it also should be stated that the group now far exceeds the goal of "recreation", and has added "education" and "entertainment" to its growing list of goals and achievements. All three goals; education, entertainment, and recreation, are now actively pursued. This allows the VCMA membership to rehearse and perform in a musical, yet friendly and social environment. As is true with most community groups, we frequently hear new members saying, “I haven’t performed since my school days". When someone says that, our members look at one another and smile. Their usual reply is something like; “Don't worry, it'll all come back to you. Performing music is like riding a bike; once you’re pretty good at it, you never forget how."

During the 1996 band season, the band membership grew from the original thirteen to about twenty-five full time members, with several more prospective and substitute members in the wings. Current band membership nears the forty mark, which we feel is quite an achievement in two years. The Vermiion Community Music Association, as with most community music groups, requires no audition or fees for membership, and consequently includes musicians of varied ability and background. For example, there are musicians who haven’t seriously sung or played in decades; those who are active in several other area bands, choirs, orchestras, and professional groups; and lastly, music education professionals. All of these members, regardless of their musical "stripes", strive to perform at their highest level. This is partly in response to the wide variety of music read in rehearsals. Arrangements selected range from sacred and secular vocal arrangements, opera, orchestral transcriptions, and oldies, to big band, broadway and movie themes. Of course, traditional marches hold their place with the band, and we also enjoy featuring ensembles, soloists, and some specialty music along the way. Currently the association is extending the band into another performing group, a "big band" style dance band. So.. there is always something of interest for everyone, and this seems to keep VCMA members challenged, while stimulating our music reading abilities.