Band concerts bring musicians, listeners outside to mix and mingle

By Karen Donato-Duff
Special to the Pioneer Times
    The faithful followers of McGill’s band have the luxury of showing up at Monument Park in Houlton between 6 and 7 on Thursday evenings during the summer months and placing their chair in their favorite spot. However, did you ever think about what takes place before you get there?
Photo courtesy of Karen Donato-Duff
NAMESAKE — David McGillicuddy established the community band in 1985. He passed the baton in 2007 to the current director, Joe Fagnant and now enjoys playing in the band.
    Around 3 p.m. a group of six or seven band members arrive at the amphitheatre to set up the 90 chairs and music stands. The chairs are stored in the adjacent Military Street Baptist Church. They also get the sound system in place and make sure the lights are ready to go. Once this is ready, they go back home to get a bite to eat and get ready for the 7 p.m. concert. The playlist has been decided earlier in the week and is posted on the McGill’s Web site. The individual band members are responsible for getting that information and putting their music in order for the evening. Around 6:30 the band members start drifting in to unpack their instruments. They tune up, visit with other members or people that are in the audience.
    There are 96 members this year, and there is a wide range of ages. Have you ever wondered what prompted these people to join the band? I did, so I asked a few.
    Gary Johnson, former pastor of the Military Street Baptist Church and now retired, said that after returning to Houlton a few years ago, he decided to join. He stated that it is fun and a great way to meet people. His wife and their daughters and families also attend. It’s a great family outing. The nights that feature balloons from local businesses are always fun, and of course the nights of popcorn, or strawberry shortcake, he said.
    Pam McGary travels up from Stacyville, and has been a member for over 20 years. She says, “I just love music! The atmosphere is invigorating; the audience is so enthusiastic and supportive. I have met a lot of people and it is nice to have this group in the community for those that are passionate about music. Now that we are not in the high school age bracket where programs are provided, the community band fills that void.” Pam also helps out with the weekly playlists.
    Upcoming college freshman, Camille Pierce has been a member since eighth grade. She attended the concerts with her parents as a youngster. If you do the math, McGill’s Band had already been in existence for five years before Camille was even born. She will be attending the University of Maine in Orono, majoring in music performance. She hopes to perform in an orchestra in the future.
Photo courtesy of Karen Donato-Duff
BAND’S FUTURE — Young musicians Andrew Lane, who plays base, and Camille Pierce, who plays the flute, were introduced to McGill’s Band as toddlers in the audience.
    Annie Nickerson just began her senior year at Houlton High School and plans to double major in fashion design and music composition after high school. She said that she joined the band because some of her friends were in it and she has found that she has learned a lot from the older members. Her parents, Blaine and Debbie attend along with her Aunt Barbara and grandmother. A real family affair.
    Another family affair is the Delano brothers, Dustin and Tyler. Dustin is a senior and Tyler a sophomore. Dustin says he was influenced by his high school band director, Joe Fagnant, who is also the McGill’s band leader. He was a bit hesitant at first, but he found that he really enjoys it and it keeps him sharp for his school programs. He also shared that he felt it was a life-long activity, which is quite obvious as you note the ages from the teens to the 90s!
    As you look through the crowd, you see many familiar faces, but also many that are not so familiar. The concerts draw many people just passing through or others that are renting camps at local lakes or visiting family or friends in the area. One couple that was spotted was Walter and Karen Thompson. Walter was Houlton’s Salvation Army Captain back in the 1970s. His career led him from Houlton to other places up and down the East Coast. After retirement he returned to the area and bought a place at Drew’s Lake. He and his wife spend summers here and winters in Greenville, Tenn.
Photo courtesy of Karen Donato-Duff
THE PLACE TO BE — Social time, both in the audience and among musicians, is an important Houlton tradition during summer park concerts.
    Walter said that the concerts are a place to be seen and to see people. That is so true, as a spectator you look around the crowd to see who you might recognize as an old schoolmate or friend that you haven’t seen in years. Sometimes you have to cheat and connect people by association. Who is that sitting with those people I know — could it be? Walter also belongs to Rotary and has marketed Houlton and of course, McGill’s Band to his Southern friends. Greenville has a community band, but does not have the luxury of an amphitheater. Walter has shown them pictures of Houlton’s. He can’t say enough about the support the community has given to McGill’s Band, this unique treasure of our town, and how fortunate we are to live in such a place.
    “Houlton is truly blessed!” he said.
    And now it is time to put away all those chairs and music stands, pack up the trailer sporting the logo “Houlton, Music Town of Maine” with the percussion instruments and think about next year’s 24th season.