Concord Band Moves to Fruitlands for Summer Concert Series
Each summer for the past 21 years, Harvard residents have witnessed a
migration unrivaled in the MetroWest area. Like clockwork at 7:30 on a
Thursday evening in late June, the sound of dozens of wind and percussion
instruments first rises from the Fruitlands Museum grounds, announcing the
annual arrival of the Concord Band for their summer outdoor concert
series. For six weeks (weather permitting), lively musical programs delight
audiences of all ages, entertaining picnickers while the sun sets opposite
Prospect Hill. Families, neighbors, and groups of friends from miles around
all carpool or arrange to meet at Fruitlands to enjoy this unique summer
diversion.
With six concerts in the series, the band begins rehearsing for the
summer program in late April. Each week at Fruitlands, the band performs
musical selections with a different theme, chosen by Music Director
Dr. William G. McManus. This summer's themes will be "A Night at the
Opera," "A Sousa Style Concert," "Independence Day Concert," "The American
Songbook," "A Salute to New York," and "A Summer Retrospective." In
addition to the preparation of six different musical programs, Dr. McManus
arranges guest soloist appearances each summer. Assistant Conductor Paul
Berler also prepares and leads the band for one or more concerts in the
series. The musicians themselves eagerly anticipate performing in the
unique Fruitlands setting to the large, enthusiastic audiences from many
towns in the surrounding area.
The band's migration requires attention to detail not evident to the
casual concert-goer. Well in advance of the first concert, Dan Diamond, the
head of the Concord Band percussion section, begins marshalling his
volunteers to arrange the transportation of an astounding array of
equipment from the band's home at 51 Walden St. in Concord to 102 Prospect
Hill Road in Harvard. Assisted by several other band members, Diamond
coordinates the safe loading and unloading of timpani, bass drum, tam tam,
xylophone, chimes, bongos, temple blocks, wind chimes, assorted cymbal
stands, hi-hat, and twelve music stands for the percussion section and
soloists.
Each week additional accessories are hand-carried out to Fruitlands:
Dan's snare drum, sticks and mallets, crash and suspended cymbals,
glockenspiel, triangles, tambourines, castanets, and wood block. The
extensive percussion inventory is critical for the wide range of musical
styles performed by the band, from Dixieland to operatic classics.
In addition to the percussion section's overall needs, percussionist
Neil Tischler transports, sets up and breaks down his drum set for every
performance that features Big Band, Dixieland, musical theater and other
styles requiring his special talents. Along with their own instruments,
each band member brings a music stand and clips or full sheet covers to
counteract the whims of the summer breezes. The band's newly-selected
announcer, Nat Hefferman, offers his commentary as the "Voice of the
Concord Band." Audio engineer Ray Kelly (KEL Sound) manages the impressive
amplification system for each concert. The Fruitlands Museum provides the
stage seating and lighting each week, as well as supporting staff and
refreshment offerings. This entire team assembles each week to offer
listeners a most rewarding musical journey.
Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. each Thursday (weather permitting, June 22
through July 27, at 102 Prospect Hill Road in Harvard with opening acts at
7 p.m. Admission: $12 per car with parking on the grounds. Refreshments
available. Handicapped-accessible. Call the Concord Band ticketline for
more details each week: 978-897-9969.
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