Auburn band set to begin summer season
For first year, concerts will be moved indoors if it rains
AUBURN — The Auburn Community Band, under the direction of Milt Simon, will kick off its annual summer series of weekly outdoor evening concerts Wednesday, June 17, at Festival Plaza in the downtown.
The 7 p.m. performance is the first of 11 scheduled for this summer at the Main Street location. Free concerts will continue weekly on Wednesday evenings through Aug. 26, weather-permitting.
New this year: If inclement weather is forecasted, the band will move into the ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch,at Great Falls Plaza.
This year marks the 28th season for band conductor Simon, who first organized 15 individuals in the fall of 1981 to form the Auburn Community Band. This season, the group numbers 45 volunteer musicians ranging in age from 14 to 84  from central and southern Maine communities.
The organization “gives many individuals a chance to utilize musical talents neglected since their high school days, and the entire community benefits,” said Simon. He added that the Auburn group is one of the larger community bands in the state.
The opening night performance will feature popular marches as well as audience favorites from the past 27 seasons. Throughout the next two months, the band will present a different musical theme and selection of songs every Wednesday evening. Listeners should bring a lawn chair. Free parking is available in the parking garage located across the street from the plaza.
The summer concert program follows:
June 17: “March Into Summer,” featuring popular marches and audience favorites
June 24: “Forgotten But Unforgettable,” an evening of musical nostalgia
July 1: “An Evening of Patriotic Music,” featuring spirited marches and patriotic songs,   including a salute to each branch of the nation’s armed forces
July 8: “Music Heard Around The World,” featuring Brazilian, European, Latin and Spanish   selections
July 15: “American Classics,” featuring music by Hoagy Carmichael and Willie Nelson, and selections from “Wizard of Oz” and “My Fair Lady”
July 22: “Songs by Famous Composers,” including Rogers & Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, John Williams, John Phillip Sousa and Maine’s own R.B. Hall
July 29: “It’s Show Time,” featuring memorable tunes from both Broadway and the big screen
Aug. 5: “Big Band & Dance Music” will include great big band songs, Motown hits and some rock ’n’ roll
Aug. 12: “Famous Groups and People,” featuring songs by Elvis and Elton John, and such groups as the Beatles, Beach Boys and Four Seasons
Aug.19 :    “Take Two,” highlights from the season’s previous nine concerts
Aug. 26: “The Auburn Community Band’s Greatest Hits,” featuring some of the community band’s     best-known and most requested songs from the past 28 seasons
For more information, call the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department at 333-6601, extension 2108, or visit the band’s Web site at www.auburncommunityband.com.

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