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Community Band Adds Small-Town Flavor
By Bill Peters
Published: August 24, 2009

One of the charms of traveling in Maine is the significant number of small fishing villages. But, travel in the State is more than piled up lobster traps. Many of the villages are now destinations for tourists who find the shops, restaurants and activities attractive. One of our favorites turned out to be Boothbay Harbor.

My wife and I spent 10 days in Maine this summer, adding over 1,000 miles to our rental car. We still didn't see all we wanted. But one event that stands out in our minds is the Hallowell Community Band of Boothbay Harbor. We were in the town on a Thursday night, in time to have an early dinner and begin to wander the town. We heard musical instruments tuning up. Heading toward the library, we found that the Hallowell Community Band was ready to begin their 7:30 p.m. weekly concert held on the lawn of the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Concerts this year began the first Thursday in July and will end Sept. 3. The large crowd of summer vacationers relaxed on blankets and chairs, others sat on the library lawn wall. Conductor Linda Brunner, dressed as casually as her musicians, introduced herself and the orchestra.

"I'm Linda Brunner; I am a flutist, and the conductor of the Hallowell Community Band." Brunner is principal flutist with the Midcoast Symphony, a member of the Midcoast Woodwind Quintet. She is a graduate of New England Conservatory and retired from the faculty of the University of Maine. She explained that both the Canadian flag and the United States flag is displayed side-by-side to acknowledge the State's closeness to Canada and to recognize the many visitors to Maine from that country. Both national anthems were played before the music program began.

The crowd had come to hear some swinging music and Brunner accommodated. She turned to her band, an all-volunteer corps, and gave out with a toe-tapping rendition of "Tuxedo Junction." The hour-long program continued in that vein.

A visitor from Florida told me that Boothbay Harbor was their yearly vacation destination not only to escape the humid warmth of Florida, but also to give her husband the opportunity to perform in the band. The band draws its talents from a combination of town folks and visitors.

The sun set, darkness settled over the village, the music ended and visitors and locals picked up their chairs and blankets to head home or take one more walk around Boothbay Harbor. The Hallowell Community Band provided a welcoming sound and a comfortable small-town flavor we will not soon forget.

Editors Note: To find out what's happening musically in Maine visit Maine Music.

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Copyright 2009. Bill Peters is Music Editor of Beacon Media, Inc., publisher of five community newspapers in Southern California. Peters also edits the paper's on-line website dedicated to music events of the regions. We welcome his contribution to the Maine music scene.