The Maine Pops Concert Band took to the ice to render music honors to the Nation on January 12 in downtown Portland, opened potential doors to future public engagements, and captured a new way to hold a bandmember bonding event.
A 30-member ensemble of the Maine Pops - under the direction of David Watts - performed "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front an announced attendance of 4,929 Maine Mariners hockey fans during pre-game ceremonies inside Portland's Cross Insurance Arena. It's the first time that the band has performed for a hockey game since the East Coast Hockey League awarded a team to Portland for the 2018-2019 season.
The performance was well received by the fans in attendance; with a few approaching band members to express thanks for the performance. Sinead Scott, the Maine Mariners account executive who escorted the band into the arena, said "We had season ticket holders coming up to us saying they really enjoyed the performance which is always a great sign." Scott added that the Mariners would love to have the band again next season.
It was also great experience for those who performed, with most expressing interest in performing again at the arena, and at a Portland Sea Dogs game this coming summer.
Once the band completed its performance, most remained to watch the Maine Mariners defeat the Norfolk Admirals, 5-3 in an ECAC Northern Division match-up.The Mariners' Jimmy Lambert notched a three-goal (hat trick) game, helping Maine earn a weekend split with Norfolk.