The sounds of the holidays will be ringing through the rafters of the Westbrook Performing Arts Center as the Maine Pops Concert Band will perform its annual holiday benefit concert on Sunday, December 15 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. This is a change in venue; the concert was previously announced to be held in Falmouth. Doors open at 2 p.m.
Proceeds from this year's concert will benefit the Trauma Intervention Program of Greater Portland, (https://www.tipgreaterportland.org) and the Animal Rescue League of Greater Portland (https://arlgp.org) Pet Food Pantry. The recommended donation for the fundraising effort is $15 per person. Students are free to attend.
The band – under the direction of David Watts - has been rehearsing holiday music since November 6, and will present 12 compositions for the holiday audience. Compositions include a pair of Leroy Anderson’s classic works and two Chip Davis/Mannheim Steamroller holiday arrangements. The band will feature pieces from George Frederic Handel, Gustav Holst, David Lovrien, Evan Van Doren, and Robert Wendel. Other holiday arrangements include pieces by Eric Morales, Sammy Nestico, and Richard Saucedo.
Also scheduled is a pre-concert performance by the Maine Pops Flute Choir between 2 and 2:30 p.m. The ensemble plans five pre-concert pieces for patrons as they enter and settle in for the band performance and include works from Leroy Anderson, Sammy Cahn and Julie Styne, and John Jacob Niles.Many of the arrangements were adapted for flute choir by Patty Lawson, the Maine Pops Flute Choir lead.
Because of the growth in the Maine Pops Concert Band (nearly 100 musicians will perform) the band has had to move into a larger venue for its annual holiday benefit concert. The Westbrook Performing Arts Center, located at 471 Stroudwater Street in Westbrook, has a stage capable of holding the band, and a beautiful, two-tiered auditorium for the annual Christmas concert to raise funds for local causes during the holiday season. The band played its 2024 fall concert in Westbrook on November 3.
The holiday performance will be the last concert for the Maine Pops in 2024. Musicians will be taking an extended holiday break and resuming rehearsals on January 8, 2025, to prepare for the band’s spring concert on April 27. More details on the concert venue will be announced later.
For more information about the Maine Pops, please visit http://www.mainepops.org.
The Maine Pops Concert Band is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit corporation. Contributions may be tax-deductible.