The Mesilla Valley Concert Band was founded in 1987 through the joint efforts of Dr. William Clark, Mr. John Schutz, and Mr. Mike White. First called the Mesilla Valley Community Band, the group began with 30 participants who answered an advertisement Dr. Clark placed in the local newspaper. The concert band has now grown to an ensemble of around 100 performers, ranging in age from 18 to 90, with many full-time musicians and music teachers, local business people, educators, retirees and students. The band also includes players who have progressed through the New Horizons Band under Dr. Clark.

Numerous chamber groups have sprung from the concert band, including the Las Cruces Flute Orchestra, saxophone quartets, horn quartet, brass quintets and a percussion ensemble.

The performers and directors are all volunteers united by their love of music who join weekly to rehearse and present a regular annual concert schedule at New Mexico State University\'s Atkinson Recital Hall. The band has enjoyed a long and supportive relationship with the New Mexico State University School of Music where the band rehearses and performs. The Mesilla Valley Concert Band is a non-profit organization and offers its concerts free to the public and to the Las Cruces Public Schools.