Marion Concert Band concludes another season
Monday nights are going to be a little quieter these days.
The Marion Concert band, conducted by Tobias Monte and featuring residents from all over the Southcoast, performed its final concert of the season Monday night at the Robert O. Broomhead bandstand. Multiple selections from film composer John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra were performed.
The band has been playing free concerts throughout the summer Monday nights, each with a special theme. Selections like “Raiders of the Lost Ark medley,” “Star Wars” and “Theme from E.T.” were highlights of the season closer.
Monte thought the summer went well, despite a few rainouts.
“It is so unusual,” he said. “We got rained out four times this year. Since I’ve been conducting the band in 1985, we’ve only been rained out twice in one season.”
However, his favorite part was the new bandstand. Earlier this summer the Sippican Historical Society funded a renovation of the structure, which included a larger floor space and new landscaping.
“It’s beautiful,” Monte said of the new bandstand. “And they changed the design of it, so the back wall curves. That gives it more of a shell shape and better acoustics. The band sounds even better.”
Other selections from the night included “Strike Up the Band” from George Gershwin and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.
Many gathered on the lawn in front of the bandstand to sit in beach chairs or on blankets to enjoy the music. Mattapoisett residents James and Myra Hert said they often attend the performances..
“We wish we attended more, because they’re wonderful,” Myra said. “We love coming here. Just being outside is nice.”
James agreed.
“The band’s reputation is outstanding,” he said. “Their music is incredible, and the musicians are so accomplished. Coming to a venue, sitting on the lawn—this is Americana, basically.”
Monte also believed the group’s reputation is what brings so many people to watch and be a part of the group.
“The band is so good,” he said. “What we have here is a collection of the finest players in the whole region. We all play with different bands, but it is worth the hour-long drive for some of these folks to play with such a fine group.”