Maine Pops Concert Band to Resume In-Person Rehearsals July 1

After 16 months of suspended rehearsals and performances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maine Pops Concert Band will resume in-person rehearsals on July 1, 2021.

The band has slated weekly rehearsals every Thursday evening in July and August from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Falmouth Village Park in Falmouth, Maine. The sessions are the start of the band’s transition back from a virtual performance mode to a full concert band schedule. The Maine Pops have not rehearsed in person since March 11, 2020.

Maine Pops musicians are highly encouraged to take advantage of this nine-week outdoor period to download music, prepare individual instruments, and "work out the performance kinks" as the band focuses on a return to indoor rehearsals in September.

The band is also looking to recruit musicians from the greater Portland area to join the ensemble. Since the pandemic, many band members have either relocated to other parts of Maine or moved to other states. Those interested in joining the band should visit the band’s website at https://www.mainepops.org/the-band/#howtojoin.

The Maine Pops Concert Band has not been completely idle during the pandemic. Much has been done over the past 10 months to keep the band’s musicians actively performing via virtual means. Members of the spent the spring of 2021 in virtual rehearsal, with about 30 members recording music for five single performance releases between February and June. The band also released a Christmas concert in December of 2020 and conducted weekly online rehearsals to keep musical skills active.

Currently, the Maine Pops is rehearsing nearly 20 selections; compositions that will be rehearsed during nine-week summer session.

Maine Pops Concert Band thanks all members who participated in “Taps Across America”

The Maine Pops Concert Band would like to thank all of its musicians who participated in the 2nd annual "Taps Across America" observance held at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 31.

Taps Across America began last year. With COVID-19 causing a cancellation of nearly all Memorial Day observances in the country, the non-profit organization Taps for Veterans organized a special campaign where musicians – mainly trumpeters and buglers – would sound Taps at 3 p.m. in their local area from front porches, apartment balconies, parking lots, and other locations to honor service members who gave their lives for this nation. This special campaign was done to sound honors, while also protecting our citizens from the spread of this virus.

This year, with some communities still hesitant to conduct public ceremonies, over 5,000 musicians from across the nation – including some of our own MPCB members – joined the solemn observance for a second year.

As the nation gradually reopens, the chances of more traditional Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and observances will likely return. However, the popularity of Taps Across America will likely continue, allowing local neighborhoods around the country to pay their own tribute to America’s fallen service members.

To those Maine Pops musicians who joined the thousands of musicians across Maine and the country, we say thank you for participating and for honoring our fallen service members.

Still Time to Join Maine Pops for a Combined Recording in Observance of R.B. Hall Day

Community band members throughout the state are reminded that they are invited to join the Maine Pops Concert Band for a virtual performance of R.B. Hall’s "The New Colonial March." Invitations were released last week inviting all Maine musicians to join the Maine Pops as part of the 2021 celebration of R.B. Hall Day on June 26.

So far, between 40 and 50 musicians have registered to participate in the virtual performance. Test tracks for the performance are due Sunday, May 23 and final recording submissions are due on Sunday, June 6. The Maine Pops plans to release the joint effort on June 26 in observance of R.B. Hall Day.

For details on joining this effort, please visit https://mainepops.org/maine-pops-to-organize-2021-r-b-hall-virtual-mass-band-performance/

Maine Pops Holiday Concert 2020

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Welcome to the Maine POPS Holiday 2020 Concert !

Each year, the Maine POPS partners with St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland, Maine and the West Falmouth Baptist Church to produce holiday benefit concerts for local charities.

Please help your neighbors in need!

St. Luke’s Food Pantry

West Falmouth Baptist Church School Pantry program

The Maine POPS Concert Band is a 501(c)3 education charity.

This is our first virtual concert, created in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many thanks to the members of the Band, the director, and the volunteers who made this happen. Please let us know what you think!

Chicken Legs & Other Snacks!

hut on chicken legsJoin the Maine POPS as we explore some delicious concert band literature from renowned composers such as Mancini, Copland, and von Suppe. Come and enjoy toe-tapping tunes from a variety of styles and ages, with something sure to delight the palate of even the most discerning listener!

April 28, 2:30pm Cape Elizabeth High School Auditorium, $10 /$7 seniors / students free