The Maine Pops Concert Band will conduct its second annual Small Ensembles Concert on Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. at the First Parish Congregational Church in Saco, ME.
Featured ensembles performing are:
The Maine Pops Flute Choir
Polished Brass (brass ensemble)
Clarinet Chromatics (clarinet ensemble)
Harbor Bass (brass quintet)
Quince (woodwind quintet)
The Maine Pops Jazz Combo
Five of the six ensembles performed in the band’s inaugural small ensembles concert last year, while the Maine Pops Jazz Combo will make its performance debut during this event.
“While participation in the Maine Pops Concert Band remains the primary focus for all musicians within the Maine Pops organization,” explained Director David Watts, “I am very hopeful that encouraging and supporting the formation of small ensembles provides additional performance outlets within our communities.”
Watts explained that as the organization has more than doubled in membership over the past six years, it is difficult for the concert band to serve the public’s desire for musicians to visit schools, retirement homes, and non-profits. In addition, he said that the level of musicianship continues to grow. “The concert band will always remain a teaching ensemble and the ‘face’ of the organization,” said Watts. “But playing in small ensembles challenges musicians in other ways that a concert band cannot. So, I see nothing but positive resulting from this venture – greater growth and participation for our members, and greater outreach to our communities.”
Suggested donation for the 90-minute performance is $15, with students granted free admission.
Now in its 37th year, the Maine Pops – under the direction of Watts – has become one of the largest community concert bands in Maine. There are currently over 100 musicians registered to perform with the band during the 2025-2026 season. Most will perform on April 29, the band’s first concert since their December holiday engagement, at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center in Westbrook, ME. That concert will begin at 7 p.m.
For more information about scheduling, joining, contributing, or sponsoring the Maine Pops Concert Band, please visit http://www.mainepops.org.
