2023-12-13 Mountainside Community Church Holiday Benefit Concert

The first of two holiday benefit concerts is complete – a very successful performance by the Maine Pops Concert Band at Mountainside Community Church in Falmouth, Maine.

A very large audience jammed the pews inside the church sanctuary to hear the Maine Pops perform the following holiday compositions:

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
A Fireside Christmas
Bashana Haba ‘ah
Brazilian Sleigh Bells
Lux Aurumque
Pat-a-Pan
Sleigh Ride
Gesu Bambino
Still, Still, Still
Christmas Music for Winds
Hallelujah Chorus

In addition, Mountainside pastor Mac Ray announced that the audience raised nearly $1000 to support the Falmouth Food Pantry – a donation matched by Mountainside for a $2000 total donation.

The band will have their final holiday concert of 2023 on Wednesday, December 20, at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland, beginning at 7 p.m. Prior to the concert, the band’s flute choir will perform ensemble work around 6:45 p.m.

(Photos by Steve Barrett)

Author: Steve Barrett

Steve Barrett is a retired government public affairs official with 43 years of experience (23 military, 20 with Federal Government). Married since 1987. Twin daughters are high school language teachers. Steve is a retired competitive marching band photographer, having photographed for Arundel High School (2002-2017), USBands (2011-2025) and the New England Scholastic Band Association (2021-2025). Played trumpet/flugelhorn recreationally with the Anne Arundel Community College community jazz band from 2007-2017. Now performs recreationally with the Maine Pops Concert Band and is an elected member of the band's board of directors. Holds a Master of Arts Degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland University College. Barrett is originally from Montour Falls, NY.