The first in a series of full concert band and small ensemble performances this summer by elements of the Maine Pops Concert Band was held May 15 with a 7 p.m. concert featuring the Beach Street Big Band held at the First Parish Congregational Church in Saco, ME.
Under the direction of long-time music educator Tom Lizotte, the Beach Street Big Band performed before a small audience of 50 people. Although the band played held its formal debut last December as part of the Biddeford Alumni Band’s Christmas holiday concert, the May 15 event was the ensemble’s first public performance as the headline act. Between now and the end of summer, The Beach Street Big Band – taking its name from the Saco street where the band rehearses every week – plans to perform in a series of public and private concerts to entertain audiences in the greater Portland area.
The program for the May 15 concert included the following charts:
The Opener – Carl Stommen
Cry Me a River – Arthur Hamilton (arr. Jerry Nowak)
Only Trust Your Heart – Sammy Cahn (arr. Terry White)
The Very Thought of You – Ray Noble (arr. Terry White)
April in Paris – E.Y. Harburg (arr. Dave Barduhn)
Almost Like Being in Love – Lerner and Lowe (arr. Lenny Niehaus)
Blue Skies – Irving Berlin (arr. Robert Holmes)
Let’s Fall in Love – Harold Arlen (arr. Terry White)
Fever – Davenport and Cooley (arr. Robert Holmes)
Moten Swing – Buster and Bennie Moten, (arr. Ernie Wilkens)
Over the Rainbow – E.Y. Harburg (arr. Dave Wolpe)
Oh, Lady Be Good – George and Ira Gershwin (arr. Terry White)
OTHER MAINE POPS SUMMER ENGAGEMENTS
In addition to the big band’s performance, the Maine Pops Concert Band has a full summer of musical engagements. The next concert – also slated for May 28 at First Parish Congregational Church in Saco – will feature additional small ensembles from the Maine Pops membership in concert that was cancelled last March due to a late-season winter storm. Groups may include an 11-member brass ensemble, a clarinet, saxophone and tuba ensemble and a woodwind quintet. The concert begins at 7 p.m. A donation of $15 is recommended and all students are admitted free of charge.
The full Maine Pops Concert Band also has a busy summer planned with the following public engagements scheduled:
June 25 – Outdoor concert at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunk, Maine, time to be determined
July 16 – Outdoor concert at Heseltine Park, Woodfords Corner neighbor, Portland, Maine, time to be determined
August 1 – Outdoor concert at Bath Library Gazebo, Bath, Maine, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
August 13 – Outdoor concert at Cape Elizabeth Village Green, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, time to be determined.
August 15 – Outdoor concert at Scarborough Memorial Park Gazebo Amphitheater, Scarborough Summerfest, Scarborough, ME, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
