The Windham Concert Band has come a long way in it's 10 years of existence. The group, co-founded by Roanne Copley, Frank Rydstrom, and Bruce Lee, it's initial musical director, has grown in both size and musicianship, and has established itself as a professional quality symphonic band. It has become one of the largest and most active concert bands in New Hampshire, rehearsing and performing throughout the year. The band now performs approximately 15 concerts year round and has concluded its seventh successful summer season. It has performed for audiences in Hampton Beach (Seashell Stage), Newburyport, MA (Yankee Homecoming), Haverhill, MA, Lowell, MA (Sampas Pavilion), summer concert series programs... Windham, Salem, Derry, Londonderry, and Nashua.
The band plays annual events including the Windham Strawberry Festival, the Windham Tree Lighting, the Magical Evening of Giving at the Mall at Rockingham Park, and an annual fundraiser, the Evening of Music at the Castleton function facility in Windham, NH. Highlights of the band’s history have included performances at the Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport, MA, Crane's Castle, Ipswich, MA, and playing for thousands of people at Salem’s First Celebration, New Year’s Eve 1999/2000, at Rockingham Park.
All band members are volunteers. They range in age from teens to seniors and come from a variety of backgrounds, including music teachers, doctors, technical professionals, business people, students, and retirees. Many reside in the small southern New Hampshire town of Windham, but members also come from nearby towns such as Salem, Hudson, Derry, Chester, Londonderry, Manchester, Exeter, Methuen, North Andover and Haverhill.
The band’s repertoire is composed of music that is recognizable and crowd-pleasing. It includes Broadway musicals, popular medleys, swing and jazz arrangements, classical, marches, and other “Pops” favorites. Some of the pieces the band has played are: “A Copland Portrait,” “Carmen Suite,” “Swingin Yanks,” “A Salute to Spike Jones,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Bugler's Holiday,” “Lord of the Rings,” Amarito Roca”, to name a few.”
Contact Information:
The Concert Band loves to perform. To arrange for an appearance by the Windham Concert Band, please call General Manager, Mike Carchia at (603) 571-9145, or send us an email info@windhamcommunityband.com CONCERT BAND CONCERTS July 6: Sun: 7-9pm, Ellis Park, Gazebo, York Beach, York, ME July 13: Sun: 2-4pm, Maudslay Arts Center, Maudslay State Park, Newburyport, MA July 20: Sun: 6-8pm, Concerts on the Common, Windham Common, Church Rd, Windham, NH July 27: Sun: 4-5:30pm, Concert in the Park, Stark Park, River Rd., Manchester, NH August 6: Wed: 6-8pm, Andover Common, Andover, MA August 9: Sat: noon - 1pm, Sandown Old Home Days Parade, Sandown, NH August 11: Mon: 7-9pm, Nashua Summer Fun Concerts, Greeley Park, Rte. 3A, Nashua, NH August 17: Sun: 5:30-7:30pm, Concert on the Commons, Windham Common, Church Rd., Windham, NH |
