The Gazette's Cathy Ulrich asks local artists five questions - plus one random one - to get a feel for their place in the Billings scene.

When Joe Acciani and his wife Sandra moved to Columbus in June of 2001, they were looking for a nice place to live. What the retired high school band conductor found was a community filled with talented musicians. From the high school conductors to junior high and elementary music teachers, Acciani has found skill everywhere he looks.

"The people here are just amazing," he said. "I'm impressed with all levels."

After the move to Columbus, Acciani has since spent his time involved in musical endeavors of all sorts. The saxophonist/clarinetist plays in three groups: the Billings Community Band (and was the group's conductor for several years), the Al Bedoo Dance Band and Red Lodge's Alte Kameraden Band. What makes this musician unique, however, is that he doesn't just perform music. He composes it.

"Like anyone else at my - limited - ability level, I'm struggling for notes to get them right, but I'm also listening and admiring how the music is put together," he said. "It's fascinating."

The Billings Community Band will perform one of Acciani's pieces, "Contrasts," which will be performed with the Al Bedoo Dance Band, at the band's Sunday concert at the Alberta Bair Theater. The concert starts at 3 p.m. and is $7, $6 with a Gazette coupon.

Acciani feels lucky to perform under the batons of directors Rob Wells (Community Band) and Paul Lechner (Dance Band).

"We're just fortunate to have (Wells)," he said. "We're fortunate that he's willing to share his skills with us. And Paul Lechner's doing a tremendous job with the dance band."

Here's what else the composer/musician had to say:

What inspires you?

That's a hard question.

My wife inspires me, of course.

Just beautiful sounds.

It's really "work till you get it." Most composers that I've talked to hear everything in their heads and write it down. I don't seem to be able to do that. I just start with a melody and then add harmonies. Sometimes that requires a change in the melody to make the harmonies work.

What's your next project?

Probably to do some more arrangements for the dance band, but I'm open to suggestion.

I ask the people who commission a work what they're looking for, and then I try to follow that criteria. Then I like to have them come and listen on the computer and suggest where they'd like things done differently.

Do you think you look at the world differently as an artist?

No, actually, no, I don't. I really don't think so. I think that, like most people, we live pretty much day to day, take care of our kids, do what needs to be done for our family and take whatever enjoyment we can.

How do you make a living?

Some savings, retirement income, some Social Security.

Do you have any regrets?

I think we have no regrets. We've been very fortunate. We always, both of us, have been very lucky. We've been very fortunate with our children. It's very hard to regret anything about that!

We've been very fortunate to meet so many good and talented people up here.

If you could compose a television show theme, what show would you pick?

We end up watching reruns because we don't get the broadcast channels. The music for the shows we watch is so appropriate, I don't think I could improve on any of them.

I would like to have the talent to write music for a show like the "Law & Order" series, probably.