March Concert
2026-03-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Galvin Middle School, Wakefield, MA
Shake off the winter chill and welcome the new season with the Middlesex Concert Band at our annual Spring Concert! This lively afternoon of music will feature an exciting mix of pieces that celebrate the energy and renewal of springtime. This year is special – we are celebrating the 250th Birthday of America!

As with our holiday concert, this performance is presented free of charge, thanks to the generous support of an anonymous sponsor. Bring family, friends, and neighbors, and enjoy an afternoon of music that will lift your spirits and brighten your day.

Join us as we continue a tradition of community, music, and joy. We look forward to seeing you there!

Program:

Fanfare 250 – Noah D. Taylor

A dynamic and celebratory work dedicated to the men and women of the United States Army in recognition of their 250 years of steadfast service. The piece captures the spirit of resilience, bravery, and unity that defines the Army’s history with bold brass fanfares, driving percussion, and soaring woodwind lines. A salute to a quarter millennium of dedication, sacrifice, and service to the nation! (Source)

Concord – Clare Grundman

Concord is based on three traditional tunes from old New England, The White Cockade, William Billings’ America, and “Yankee Doodle. (Source)

Chester – William Schuman

Schuman originally composed Chester as the third movement of his New England Triptych for orchestra, where he interpreted William Billings’s hymn and marching song of the same name. He later developed and extended the work to become an overture for band; however, the work is often performed as the answer to Schuman’s second movement prelude of the Triptych, When Jesus Wept. (Source)

Midnight Ride – Rossano Galente

Three main themes comprise Midnight Ride by Rossano Galante. Paul Revere’s motif is a romantic, heroic melody that captures his bravery and tenacity. The Brown Beauty theme (Paul Revere’s horse) incorporates a slower, lush musical offering that captures the strength and beauty of this animal. The ending thematic material represents the ride with a soaring melody accompanied by fast, rhythmic ostinati. (5:45) (Source)

American Elegy – Frank Ticheli

An American Elegy is, above all, an expression of hope. It was composed in memory of those who lost their lives at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, and to honor the survivors. It is offered as a tribute to their great strength and courage in the face of a terrible tragedy. I hope the work can also serve as one reminder of how fragile and precious life is and how intimately connected we all are as human beings. (Source)

Chimes of Liberty – Edwin Franko Goldman

One of his most popular marches, The Chimes of Liberty reflected Goldman’s pride in his country. His concern for other countries and world peace was evident as well: the march was written in 1922 to commemorate the Washington Conference for the Limitation of Armaments. The chimes are featured prominently, carrying the melody in the trio. The march also boasts a piccolo solo that rivals the piccolo solo in John Philip Sousa’s march The Stars and Stripes Forever. (Source)

Intermission

Land of Liberty – John Wasson

Featuring classic patriotic melodies of our great nation, here is a stirring medley for mature bands. Unique treatments and scoring devices blended with seamless transitions are used to create this impressive work for the concert stage. Includes: Columbia, The Gem of the Ocean; Chester; Yankee Doodle; America the Beautiful and My Country, ‘Tis of Thee. (Source)

Variations on America – Charles Ives

Variations on “America” was originally a composition for organ. Composed in 1891 when Ives was seventeen, it is an arrangement of a traditional tune, known as My Country, ‘Tis of Thee, and was at the time the de facto anthem of the United States. The tune is also widely recognized in Thomas Arne’s orchestration as the British National Anthem, God Save the Queen, and in the former anthems of Russia, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as being the current national anthem of Liechtenstein and royal anthem of Norway. (Source)

Selections from Les Miserables – Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg/arranged by Warren Decker

This work for musical theater had a renewed impact all over the world with the adaptation to the silver screen. All the drama and power of the original music is captured in this medley, which includes At the End of the Day; I Dreamed a Dream; Master of the House; On My Own and Do You Hear the People Sing? (Source)

Irving Berlin Songs for America – Irving Berlin/arranged by James Swearingen

A fantastic arrangement of songs by one of America’s greatest songwriters. Includes: Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor; This Is the Army Mister Johnes; This Is a Great Country; and God Bless America. (Source)

America the Beautiful – Samuel Augustus Ward/arranged by Carmen DragonStars and Stripes – John Phillip Sousa

Harvard Concert
2026-04-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Lowell Lecture Hall, 17 Kirkland St, Cambridge
We will be doing a joint concert with the Harvard Wind Ensemble, and possibly another group. Details to come soon!

Boston Festival of Bands
2026-06-13 17:00 - 17:45 | Faneuil Hall, Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
The Boston Festival of Bands, hosted by MetWinds, is returning this year. MCB is excited to be able to participate. We are scheduled to play at 5:00 PM to close out the event.

After a hiatus of several years, this beloved gathering of community bands is finally back. We’re honored to be part of its return and can’t wait to once again share the stage with some of the region’s finest ensembles for an afternoon celebrating wind music.

The Festival takes place in historic Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston. Known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” this landmark has been a gathering place for nearly three centuries and sits just steps from Quincy Market and the bustling Faneuil Hall Marketplace — a fitting and inspiring setting for the Festival’s long-awaited homecoming.

Our Program

Havana Nights — Randall D. Standridge

A Jubilant Overture — Alfred Reed

Americans We — Henry Fillmore

Determined Hearts — Erika Svanoe (commissioned by MCB for our 50th Anniversary)

The Symphonic Gershwin — George Gershwin, arr. Warren Barker

Hymn to a Blue Hour — John Mackey

We hope you’ll join us in Boston for an afternoon of great music!

4th of July
2026-07-04 19:00 - 21:30 | 100 Slayton Rd, Melrose, MA
Middlesex Concert Band returns to Mt. Hood Golf Course in Melrose for America’s 250th Independence Day!

A beloved annual tradition, MCB comes back to Mt. Hood each summer for our Fourth of July celebration. Join us under the summer sky for an evening of patriotic favorites, stirring marches, and Broadway and big-band classics as we mark the nation’s 250th birthday — featuring vocalist April Foley and a rousing sing-along finale.

The concert takes place on the lawn beside the clubhouse at Mt. Hood, the City of Melrose’s public golf course. Seating is on the grass, so bring blankets and lawn chairs, gather the whole family, and settle in for a festive evening of music.

Our Program

The Star-Spangled Banner — Francis Scott Key (April Foley, vocalist)

Armed Forces Medley — arr. Jari Villanueva

Fanfare 250 — Noah Taylor

Concord — Clare Grundman

Midnight Ride — Rossano Galante

But Not for Me — George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, arr. Warren Barker

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy — Hughie Prince, lyrics by Don Raye, arr. Alan Glasscock (April Foley, vocalist)

Chimes of Liberty — Edwin Franko Goldman

The Symphonic Gershwin — George Gershwin, arr. Warren Barker

Irving Berlin: Songs of America — Irving Berlin, arr. James Swearingen

God Bless America — Irving Berlin, arr. Keith Christopher and John Moss

Ultimate Patriotic Sing-A-Long — arr. Warren Brubaker

The Stars and Stripes Forever — John Philip Sousa

Concert by the Lake
2026-07-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Lake Quannapowitt, Wakefield, MA
Join the Middlesex Concert Band for a relaxed summer evening of music on the Common in Wakefield, on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt.

Pack a blanket or a couple of lawn chairs and settle in by the water for an evening of patriotic favorites, marches, and Broadway and big-band classics — featuring vocalist April Foley. And the fun doesn’t stop when we do: stick around afterward for Wakefield’s free outdoor movie night on the Lower Common, screening Disney’s Tangled.

Our Program

The Star-Spangled Banner — Francis Scott Key (April Foley, vocalist)

Fanfare 250 — Noah Taylor

Concord — Clare Grundman

Midnight Ride — Rossano Galante

But Not for Me — George Gershwin, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, arr. Warren Barker

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy — Hughie Prince, lyrics by Don Raye, arr. Alan Glasscock (April Foley, vocalist)

Chimes of Liberty — Edwin Franko Goldman

The Symphonic Gershwin — George Gershwin, arr. Warren Barker

Irving Berlin: Songs of America — Irving Berlin, arr. James Swearingen

God Bless America — Irving Berlin, arr. Keith Christopher and John Moss

Ultimate Patriotic Sing-A-Long — arr. Warren Brubaker

The Stars and Stripes Forever — John Philip Sousa
