[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::maynard

Title:	Maynard -- Center of the Universe
Notice:	Welcome to our new digs...
Moderator:	PRAGMA::GRIFFIN

Created:	Wed Aug 06 1986
Last Modified:	Thu Feb 20 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	509
Total number of notes:	4062

380.0. "Maynard Community Band" by HANNAH::DCL (David Larrick) Tue Jul 14 1992 09:34

    I've just discovered the Maynard Community Band this summer.  About 30
    amateur musicians give outdoor, free, public concerts throughout the
    summer.  
    
    There's a broad range of ages and abilities among the musicians, many
    of whom travel substantial distances to play (along with many from
    Maynard).  A concert usually consists of two sets by the full band -
    marches, show tunes, and other popular band material - separated by a 
    set of Big Band tunes performed by a subset of the band in Dance Band
    configuration.  The music is usually pretty good, occasionally
    downright stirring, and seldom awful.  The crowds have been large 
    and appreciative.
    
    As a new member (of the percussion section), I don't know much about
    the band's history, but I get the impression that quite a few members
    have been there for decades, but that the band recently increased both
    its size and its quality substantially.  So if you haven't heard this
    group for a few years, maybe it's time for another listen.
    
    Remaining gigs in the Summer '92 schedule, all 7:00 to 8:30, all on
    Wednesdays, all performed rain or shine:
    
    	15-July		Maynard Memorial Park (Summer and Nason)
    	22-July		Maynard Memorial Park
    	29-July		Summerhill Glen
    	 5-Aug		Concord St. Circle
    	12-Aug		Wood Park, Hudson
    	26-Aug		Powder Mill Circle

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
380.1	How can we help?	SENIOR::IGNACHUCK	Native Maynardian	`Wed Jul 15 1992 01:05`	20
	Dave, as someone who has enjoyed the Maynard Community Band for many years (does anyone remember the concerts at the Crowe Park bandstand many years ago?), I was amazed at the improvement in the quality of the band this year. It seemed to me that the Band in recent years had gotten smaller and smaller and then, all of a sudden this year, I heard this incredible sound from a much larger and fuller Band. I could not believe my ears. My compliments to Alex DeGrappo and all the dedicated musicians that offer these concerts to the local community. Dave, what happened to turn the Band around in such a short period of time? How did such fine musicians suddenly get involved? How can us listeners offer financial support to keep this improvement going? I think that this note could be a real boost to the Maynard Community Band and I'd like to see some thoughts from noters on how we can help on the support end. Frank
380.2	Need hours more than $	HANNAH::DCL	David Larrick	`Wed Jul 15 1992 10:19`	26
	Sorry, Frank, being a newcomer I personally have no idea "what happened" to improve the band so dramatically. (I have usually been too busy with my community theater activities to join the band, but I'm taking this summer off, so a steady Wednesday-night-only commitment fit in just fine.) Re support for continued improvements: again, this is my impression based on just a few weeks of observations, but I think some administrative help would be more valuable than dollars. Advertising for concerts (and for new members in season) is spotty at best; from my community theater work, I know that running an effective advertising campaign takes a lot of determination and effort. The band has a huge collection of sheet music, but much of it is poorly organized and/or in poor condition; a few hours with a copier would make a world of differnce. Some of the band's equipment (lighting as well as musical instruments) is on its last legs; dollars would clearly help here, but so would expert repairs. I'm sure Maestro Alex could bend your ear for some time on these and other subjects. I know he was pretty unhappy about some arrangements that got screwed up for lighting Memorial Park for this summer's concerts; sorry, I don't know any details. One reason I'm so hazy on details is that very little time is spent in rehearsals and performances on adminstrative announcements and similar chit- chat (we musicians often prefer to let our instruments do our talking for us!). That's not a problem for me - I'm quite willing to ask dumb questions when I'm confused - but other newcomers might find it offputting.
380.7	Remaining 1993 summer concert series -- update	HANNAH::DCL	David Larrick	`Thu Aug 19 1993 14:20`	5
	Wed 25-Aug, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park (Summer and Nason)(rain or shine) Wed 15-Sep, 7:00 PM Marlboro Hospital Wed 22-Sep, 7:00 PM Powdermill Circle, Maynard Wed 29-Sep, 7:00 PM Location TBA Sat 2-Oct, 2:00 PM Wood Park, Hudson
380.8	Summer '94 concert schedule	MYRON::DCL	David Larrick	`Fri Jun 10 1994 18:26`	25
	Wed 15-Jun, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park (Summer at Nason) Sat 18-Jun, 2:00 PM Strawberry Festival at Crowe Park Wed 22-Jun, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park Wed 29-Jun, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park Sun 3-Jul, 2:00 PM Wood Park, Hudson, with NEW BANDSHELL Mon 4-Jul, 7:00 PM Acton/Boxborough Junior High School, with fireworks Wed 6-Jul, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park Wed 13-Jul, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park Wed 20-Jul, 7:00 PM Maynard Memorial Park Wed 27-Jul, 7:00 PM Concord St. Circle Wed 3-Aug, 7:00 PM Summerhill Glen Wed 10-Aug, 7:00 PM Powdermill Circle thereafter TBD The Memorial Park concerts take place under the NEW lights in good weather, or under the parking deck in rainy weather. An addition to my financial comments in .2, nearly two years later: the band does incur some expenses in the course of its operations, so voluntary contributions are solicited at concerts. Your generosity helps this group of dedicated musicians keep this wonderful tradition thriving in Maynard. Your generous applause helps, too! I'm the one playing bass drum in the Concert Band, and piano in the Dance Band. Please stop by and say hi.