Auburn Community Concert Band kicks off 32nd season

June 14, 2013 | Author TCT Staff

The Auburn Community Concert Band, under the direction of Milt Simon, will kick off its annual summer series of

free weekly outdoor evening concerts at Festival Plaza in downtown Auburn on Wednesday, June 19.

The 7 p.m. performance is the first of ten programs scheduled for the season. The concerts will continue weekly

on Wednesday evenings through August 21 at this Main Street location, weather permitting. If inclement weather

is forecast, the band will move its performance indoors to the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, located at

Great Falls Plaza, if the hotel’s ballroom is available for that evening.

This year marks the 32nd summer season since band conductor Milt Simon first organized the group. The 43

volunteer musicians participating this year range in age from 17 to 87 and together represent 15 Maine

communities.

Simon stated that the organization “gives many individuals a chance to utilize musical talents neglected since

their high school days, and the entire community benefits.” He added that the Auburn group “is one of the larger

community bands in the state of Maine, commonly attracting 300 to 400 people to its weekly concerts.”

The opening night performance on June 19 will feature many new songs added to the band’s repertoire during this

past winter’s rehearsal season, including a tribute to female vocal star Whitney Houston. The band will also

perform selections previewing their following nine concerts, including some of the band’s greatest hits from the

past 31 seasons.

Throughout the next two months, the band will present a different musical theme and selection of songs every

Wednesday evening. Those planning to attend any of the performances should bring their own lawn chair and are

advised to arrive at Festival Plaza well before the 7 p.m. concert start time. Ample free parking is available in the

parking garage located across the street from the Plaza.

For more information, call the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department at 333-6601 ext. 2108, or see

www.auburncommunityband.com.

The programs for this summer’s concert series are:

June 19: “Spring into Summer,” featuring new songs added to the band’s repertoire during this past winter’s

rehearsal season.

June 26: “Forgotten But Unforgettable,” an evening of music nostalgia under the stars.

July 3: “An Evening of Patriotic Music,” featuring spirited marches and patriotic songs, including a salute to each

branch of the nation’s Armed Forces.

July 10: “Songs that Bridge Generations,” featuring songs from the Wizard of Oz, Phantom of the Opera, Frank

Sinatra and Whitney Houston.

July 17: “It’s Showtime,” featuring a collection of memorable tunes from both Broadway and the big screen.

July 24: “Let’s Dance,” featuring five decades of dance music, including big band, Motown, and rock & roll.

July 31: “The Hits Musicians Made Famous,” featuring hit songs popularized by Ray Charles, Elton John, Phil

Collins, Michael Jackson, Elvis and Basie.

August 7: “Songs of Sensational Groups,” featuring ever-popular tunes by Earth, Wind & Fire, the Doors, Chicago,

ABBA, Queen, Journey, and the Four Seasons.

August 14: “Take Two,” an opportunity to hear highlights from the band’s eight weekly concerts presented earlier

this summer.

August 21: “The Auburn Community Concert Band’s Greatest Hits,” featuring some of the band’s best-known and

most requested songs from their past 31 seasons.

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