Pioneer Valley Community Band Festival Concert

Giant Community Band Concert Scheduled for Saturday June 14 at UMass-Amherst Fine Arts Center

As many as 150 musicians from throughout Western Massachusetts and beyond will come together for a performance in one giant concert band on Saturday June 14 at 3:00 PM at the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The concert is free and open to the public.

Titled the Pioneer Valley Community Band Festival, the concert is being hosted by the Amherst, Florence and South Hadley Community Bands and will bring together amateur and professional musicians of all ages and abilities from throughout the region to celebrate and perform live instrumental music. The schedule for the day includes a morning rehearsal, catered lunch with time for musicians to mingle, and afternoon performance.

According to Festival Coordinator Ira Brezinsky, “With the inspiration of our guest conductor and guest soloist, band members will have the opportunity to share their musical skills, learn from their fellow musicians, and bring the joy of live music making to our audience. We have a goal of 150 musicians performing together. We will see if we get there!”

As of May 20, approximately 125 musicians, representing 60 different community music organizations, are already registered to participate. Additional musicians of all abilities who would like to participate can email pioneervalleycommunitybandfest@gmail.com.

Dr. Karen LaVoie, Professor of Music and Director of the Wind Symphony at Westfield State University in Westfield, will lead a festival band composed of community music enthusiasts of all ages and abilities in a day of joyous music-making. In addition, acclaimed clarinetist and teacher Dr. Timothy Skinner, will be guest soloist. He currently teaches at Westfield State University, the Campus School of Smith College, the Nashua Community Music School, and the Community Music School of Springfield.

The 90-minute concert will include a wide variety of music, from Leonard Bernstein to John Williams, among several others. A highlight of the concert will be the Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw, performed by Dr Skinner.

The free concert is made possible thanks to grants from the Amherst, East Longmeadow, Hadley and South Hadley Cultural Councils, and a Festivals Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Donations will also be accepted at the door.

For additional information email pioneervalleycommunitybandfest@gmail.com or find them on facebook.