The word "collective" sounds like an outdated Russian principle from oh, say, 1991. But the idea behind collectives is alive and well in State College in 1992 thanks to the Centre Region Musicians Collective.

The collective is a loosely knit organization of local musicians, technicians and other entertainment figures that has been around the State College scene off and on for the past three years.

"The idea is to promote the local music scene and local musicians in an atmosphere where . . . we're working together rather than working against each other," said Dave Geiser, one of the collective's board members.

Membership is open to both musicians and people interested in seeing the State College music scene grow and prosper, said Glen Rays, a member of the band Amazing Larrys.

One way the collective bolsters the local scene is by helping new bands learn the ropes of playing around town, whether at private parties or the bars. By giving new bands input on where to play or how to network, the collective can save them from falling through the cracks.

Marilyn Eckley of Koehler Bay joined the collective for just that reason.

When Koehler Bay started out, a lot of people were willing to lend a hand or offer advice. Through the collective, Koehler Bay can now help up-and-coming bands get on their musical feet, she said.

"It's like doing a favor back," she added.

Along with giving advice to new bands and providing established bands with new ideas, the collective is in the midst of creating a comprehensive yearbook and tape that will allow State College residents to sample all the local musical talent available in town without spending a week in the bars.

The yearbook will feature a small biography of each person or band involved in the collective, what they sound like and other pertinent information, said Denny Strauser, a founding member.

The yearbook and tape will be financed by the many musicians' night benefits held in 1991, said Curtis Bayer, a collective board member.

The cassette, called the Happy Valley Sampler, should be available at the end of February and will contain one song from any local artist who wants to participate, Strauser said. This will hopefully make people more aware of what is available in the community, he added.

Meetings are the third Sunday of every month in the HUB basement, and anyone with an interest in music is invited to attend, Rays said.