SHARON — In 1988, an idea, a conductor, and a handful of brave musicians founded a community band.

What started small has grown and flourished, and this year, the Sharon Bands — now a pair of ensembles that includes a jazz band — are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their original ensemble. In the years since the group’s founding under the auspices of the town Recreation Department, it has expanded from a few musicians to approximately 60.