Help Us Commemorate a Major Milestone

Jean Patterson, Chairperson of the Concord Band 60th Anniversary Season Celebration Committee, began planning for the celebratory year in the spring of 2018. All Band members were asked how they wanted to mark the 60th season. Celebration Committee members Yvonne Wilson, June Grace, Liz Irvin and Dave Purinton reviewed the suggestions that were received and recommended a variety of celebration ideas.

The Committee worked with Dan Diamond to create a 60th Anniversary logo that will be used throughout the anniversary season. To celebrate the band’s early history of marching in Concord’s Patriots’ Day parade, a special concert is being arranged with the Town of Concord as part of Concord’s Patriot’s Day events. The Committee is also organizing a 60th Anniversary dinner for Band members.

Other Band committees have been planning for the special season as well. The Concord Band Board of Trustees has been supportive in guiding all planned activities. The Commissioning Committee (Liz Irvin, Charlie Learoyd, Dan Diamond, and James O’Dell) commissioned a new fanfare by Roger Cichy and a new major work by Andrew Boysen, Jr., both to be premiered at the Winter Concert on March 2, 2019. Music Director James O’Dell has also programmed many musical pieces with special relevance to the Concord Band’s long history. He has also invited honorary Concord Band member Amanda Carr and American Idol alumnus John Stevens to headline the Spring Pops concerts on April 12 and 13.

We are looking forward to the participation of Music Director Emeritus Dr. William G. McManus at the Winter Concert, which will also involve Band alumni.

The Concord Band has a long history to celebrate. We can’t fit it all into a single anniversary concert, so expect a full and exciting 60th Anniversary Season!

Concord Band Celebrates 60th Season

Photo courtesy Daisy Design

Commissions and special guest soloists will highlight the anniversary season

By Peter Norton, Patch.com | Sep 16, 2018

The Concord Band, a community concert band based in Concord, Mass., is commemorating its 60th anniversary season from September 2018-July 2019. The Band was originally formed in 1959 as a marching band to participate in patriotic celebrations in the Town of Concord, Mass., but has been performing as a symphonic wind ensemble since 1970. The band typically plays about 15 concerts a year, mostly at the historic Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden in Concord and outdoor concerts at its summer home in Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts.

In honor of this special anniversary season, the band has commissioned a new fanfare by Emmy-award-winning composer Roger Cichy and a new major work by Andrew Boysen, Jr. both to be premiered at the Band's Winter Concert on March 2, 2019. These commissions will add to the Band's sponsorship of more than 80 new works and arrangements for symphonic concert band. Music Director James O'Dell has also programmed many musical pieces with special relevance to the Concord Band's long history for other concerts this season (especially the Fall Concert on October 20, 2018). Honorary Concord Band member and jazz vocalist Amanda Carr and American Idol alumnus John Stevens will headline the Spring Pops nightclub-style concerts on April 12–13. The Band is also working with the town of Concord to get involved with Patriots' Day celebrations for a special concert on April 15, 2019.

The Concord Band looks forward to celebrating its long history throughout the coming year. More details about the Concord Band's 60th anniversary season concerts will be posted on its website http://www.concordband.org as they are available.

The band is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that gladly accepts any donations to help fund the costs of the 60th anniversary season at https://www.gofundme.com/60th-season-celebration. The Concord Band is supported by the Cultural Councils in Concord, Bolton, and Harvard.

Be sure to save the date for our "Celebrating Our Heritage" Fall Concert on October 20, 8pm at 51 Walden. The concert is open to the public and funded by donations.

Fall Concert: Celebrating our Heritage

Fall 2018 Concert Poster

The Concord Band is looking forward to the first concert of its 60th Anniversary Season on October 20, 2018, featuring music commissioned and composed for The Concord Band as well as masterworks in the concert band repertoire.  The Band will be led by Music Director James O'Dell and Assistant Conductor Steven Barbas.  Admission is free, donations are gratefully received.  Concert to be held at The Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street in Concord, Mass.