A new entry into the performance schedule of the Maine Pops Concert Band begins March 29 when the band conducts its inaugural small ensembles concert on Saturday, March 29 at Saco’s First Parish Congregation Church at 12 Beach Drive in Saco, ME. The concert begins at 2:30 p.m. and will feature as many as nine ensembles, ranging from brass and woodwind quintets to a 20-member big band.
Participating in small ensembles is not strange to the Maine Pops, but there has been both a recent emphasis and an ardent desire by many Maine Pops musicians to expand their musical boundaries beyond the full concert band. The band has long had a woodwind quintet. In 2023, Maine Pops flautists formed a 10-to-12-member flute choir that plays pre-concert music and entertains at churches and community centers in the greater Portland area. Last February, the band formed the Mainely Swing Big Band – a traditional big band ensemble that held its debut last December.
“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 five 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.”
With the start of 2025, the small ensemble rehearsals began with practice sessions conducted inside the Scarborough High School music practice rooms, at homes, and in other community locations. Since January, the band has formed six additional groups:
● a brass quintet,
● a bass ensemble,
● a clarinet ensemble,
● a saxophone ensemble,
● a French horn ensemble, and
● a low brass ensemble.
Each of these groups is slated to perform a small program featuring music from a variety of genres, ranging from classical music quartets, show tunes, popular titles, and swing/jazz. Since this is an inaugural event featuring small groups, each ensemble will determine the number of selections they’ll perform, while also managing to allow all nine ensembles a chance to shine during the 90-minute window.
The band is soliciting a recommended $15 donation per person to attend the small ensemble performances. Students can attend free of charge.
Now in its 36th 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 2024-2025 season. Most will perform on April 27, the band’s first concert since their December holiday engagement, at the Winslow Homer Center for the Arts at Scarborough High School, Scarborough, ME. That concert will also begin at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about scheduling, joining, contributing, or sponsoring the Maine Pops Concert Band, please visit http://www.mainepops.org.
“That is what community bands are for,” said Bob Swerdlow, president of the Maine Pops. “We play for fun. We play to learn. We play to entertain. After 36 years the Pops is better musically, stronger operationally, and larger than ever.”
