Press Release

Concord Band Returns to Minute Man National Historical Park for Concert at Buttrick Estate on July 19

Concord, Mass., July 3, 2009 — The Concord Band and Minute Man National Historical Park — two organizations that are intrinsic parts of the historic and cultural fabric of the Town of Concord — will join forces and share the celebrations of their respective, ongoing 50th anniversaries with a free gala concert by The Concord Band at the North Bridge Visitors Center/Buttrick Estate of Minute Man National Historical Park, 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA on Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 PM. In the event of rain, the concert will take place at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden in Concord Center.

Since this year marks the golden anniversary of both the Band and the Park, the two groups decided to present a joint celebration in their home town! Park Superintendant Nancy Nelson and the members of The Concord Band are thrilled that they will once again be able to collaborate and have the Band return to its first summer "home" for a very special concert. The Buttrick Gardens at the North Bridge Visitors Center were the location of many outdoor summer concerts in the 1970s and 1980s by the Band. Concord Band Assistant Publicist (and piccolo player) and Concord resident Laura Finkelstein is also excited about this event, and fondly remembers summer concerts performed in this beautiful location overlooking the Concord River: "Audiences sat all through the gardens and some even came up the river in canoes and listened to the music while sitting in their boats on the river!"

Concord Band Music Director James O'Dell has chosen a program that will feature Flowing Pens from Concord by Roger Cichy, based on the writings of four of Concord's most famous and revered authors, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. This four-movement work was commissioned by the Band for its golden anniversary celebration and premiered, to much critical acclaim, at the Band's 50th Anniversary Concert in March. "Louisa May Alcott" as portrayed by Jan Turnquist, Director of Orchard House, will be on hand to provide a dramatic introduction to the piece.

Another Concord Band commission, Boston Liberties by Julie Giroux, will also be on the program. This lyrical and exciting work celebrates Boston's role as the maritime center of America in Colonial days. The concert will also feature other pieces of historical interest, including Concord by Clare Grundman, American Triptych by Jim Curnow, and Parade of the Tall Ships by Jay Chattaway, as well as a toe-tapping selection of marches, jazz and Broadway tunes.

About Minute Man National Historical Park

On Sept. 21, 1959, the Congress of the United States of America established Minute Man National Historical Park to preserve and interpret important sites associated with the opening battle of the American Revolution, a battle that led to the creation of this country. It was here that the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, igniting a flame of liberty that still burns brightly in the hearts of freedom-loving people around the world.

Celebrations of the Park's 50th Anniversary have been taking place since April 2009 and will continue through September 2009, with the theme "Honoring The Past; Inspiring The Future." There will be a series of special interpretative and educational events (including lectures, scholars' forums, living history demonstrations, Park ranger-led walks, concerts, and historical building "open houses"), all designed to serve 1.2 million Park visitors, to engage youth and families, and to attract new and diverse audiences.

The 1,028-acre park includes the North Bridge, the Minute Man statue, and The Wayside, Home of Authors. The five-mile Battle Road Trail for walking or bicycling, follows remnants of the original colonial-era road, and visits historic houses, farming fields, wetlands, and forest.

About The Concord Band

The Concord Band, founded as a 20-member marching unit for Concord's Patriots Day Parade in 1959, has become one of the leading community concert bands in the United States (it gave up marching in 1970 to become exclusively a symphonic concert ensemble). It is well known for its innovative programming and the exceptional quality of its commissioned pieces. The Band presents formal and Pops concerts throughout the year, both at its permanent home, the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden Street in Concord, and at its summer home for the past 23 years, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA (where outdoor summer concerts are held every Wednesday evening — with Thursday raindates — from late June through the end of July). In March 2009, James O'Dell became the Band's new (and only third) Music Director, and the July 19th concert at North Bridge will mark his debut conducting performance at Minute Man Park.

For further information about The Concord Band, visit its website at: www.concordband.org or call 978-897-9969. For information on Minute Man National Historical Park, visit its website at: www.nps.gov/mima or call 978-369-6993.

For additional information, contact Peter Norton, Concord Band Publicity. Visit our website at www.concordband.org.