Last call for musicians who’d like to celebrate the Fourth of July by playing for a traditional New England bonfire. Details below (see “Musicians Wanted for July 4th”). There are NO rehearsals for this group — just bring your instrument and be ready to play at 7:30.
June 10, 2009
Musicians Wanted in Rockport, MA for July 4
We are looking for musicians to perform with the “Bonfire Band” on July 4th — all players of concert band instruments are welcome. We will be playing standard marches and pop tunes at sight, so if you are an average musician, you’re welcome to “sit in”. (-:
We will be assembling after the conclusion of the Firemen’s Parade, sometime after 7:00 P.M. (probably around 7:30) at the bandstand on Rockport’s Back Beach. If you can make it, please e-mail us at the address to the right so we have enough music. You’ll only need to bring your instrument — we provide chairs, stands, and music.
Due to the extremely crowded conditions at the bandstand for this event, your best bet for parking will be to leave your car at the train station and walk down to Back Beach. That will make it very easy to leave after the band plays.
As I understand it, there will be NO DANCING GIRLS this year.
June 9, 2009
Information for the Pipe Band Concert
Our rehearsal with pipers from Creagan More Pipes and Drums will be at the Rockport Legion Hall on June 18, beginning at 7:30. We will work through the pipe and band pieces early in the rehearsal, and go on to work on our individual music afterward. The pipers will be recording the combined music for their own rehearsal purposes.
The pipe concert itself will be on August 23, with a “dress” rehearsal on August 20. This should be fun.
May 19, 2009
Fourth of July Bands in Rockport
As usual, there will be two bands from Rockport (and beyond) participating in the town’s Fourth of July festivities on (surprisingly), July 4, 2009 . If you’re available to play, come on up! Here is contact information for each group:
The Firemen’s Parade Clown Band: if you’d like to march with this group, contact George Ramsden at: 978-546-6123.
This band will meet at 5:00 P.M. at 7 Seagull Street, off Jerden’s Lane. in Rockport. Please remember to wear a costume that is as outrageous as you dare (and please remember that this is a family event). You will need to bring your own instrument and lyre; music (standard marches) will be provided. Musical competence on a marching band instrument is expected.
Please telephone the number above to “register”, just to make sure there is enough music available for everyone.
The Bonfire Band: This band will meet on the Rockport Bandstand at Back Beach, around 7:00 P.M., soon after the parade finishes. There is no marching involved, and we will finish playing as soon as the bonfire is going. There is no dress code, so if you are marching with another group in the parade, that “uniform” is fine for the bonfire. You will need to bring your own instrument; we will provide stands, chairs, and music (standard marches and pop tunes). Average musical competence on a band instrument (even non-marching ones) is expected.
Please send an e-mail to the band at: rockportband@gmail.com
If you’d like to join us for the afternoon, please contact us. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone on July 4.
March 31, 2009
New Link to Our Recordings
We have just linked to Jukebox Alive! which is hosting our performance tracks for the time being. The link to the Jukebox is in the column to your right. Enjoy!
There are also still tracks at Cape Ann Web (use the Cape Ann Online link just to your right)
March 16, 2009
Robert E. Puff (1922 -2009)
We received the sad news last Friday that Bob had passed away. For those of us who knew him, there will be a hole in the fabric of our lives; those who didn’t have a chance to know him missed out on a wonderful friendship.
He attended the Navy School of Music and served in the Navy during World War II. After his service, he attended and graduated from Boston University with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education. He taught the R.O.T.C. Band at Gloucester High School until his retirement, and was also active as an arranger and composer.
Bob was a member of our band for many years and was Conductor Emeritus. After stepping down from the podium, he continued his association with us in a supportive role, playing in both the clarinet and saxophone sections.
A full description of Bob’s life and career may be found on the site of the Gloucester Daily Times, edition of March 16, 2009 at: www.gloucestertimes.com
February 3, 2009
Now’s The Time to Join the Band!
We’re recruiting players for all of our sections. If you’re one of those “rusty” musicians who played a concert band instrument with some proficiency, but slacked off playing when you got out of school, please consider coming up to Rockport to join our reading rehearsals. If you enjoy the experience, consider joining our group.
From now until the end of April, we’ll be reading through all kinds of music: some new, and some really old. Some of the music we’ll use during our upcoming seventy-sixth season of summer concerts, and some we’ll decide we don’t want in our library at all.
To your right, there is a list of our particular instrument shortages. We do, however, accept all players. It’s up to the individual to determine if we’re the right group for them to join (degree of music difficulty, etc.), so come give us a try.
January 6, 2009
Rockport Legion Band Begins Its Seventy-sixth Year
The Rockport Legion Band will begin its seventy-sixth year of music-making by holding a series of reading rehearsals at the Legion Hall on Beach Street, Rockport. These rehearsals will begin on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at 7:30, and continue every Thursday evening until April 30.
Music for the rehearsals will consist of pieces drawn from our own library, new music under consideration for summer programming, and a series of tunes from the turn of the Twentieth Century (rags, galops, marches, and popular songs).
Any player of a concert band instrument (even a player who is “rusty”) is welcome to join these rehearsals. If you plan on attending, please let us know so we can have a folder prepared for you.
Questions for a music director may be sent to:
- rockportband@gmail.com
