After 27 years, McGill’s Community Band hits the airwaves, Internet

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Dave Bates
ROTARY GUESTS — Leigh Cummings of Houlton, district governor for Rotary District 7810, speaks to the crowd during a special Friday night performance by McGill’s Community Band in Monument Park. Rotarians from throughout the district were in Houlton for the annual conference.
    HOULTON — McGill’s Community Band has brought music to life each summer in southern Aroostook County since its inception in 1985. Though the musicians have changed over the years, the quality entertainment has not, as residents typically bring their lawn chairs and blankets to the park for a night of fine music.
    McGills opened its new season with a special performance Friday evening, which also included the start of a new feature — broadcasting band’s performances live on 94.7 FM WBCQ and streaming video and audio online at WBCQFM.com.
    “Broadcasting our performances is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Joe Fagnant, conductor of McGill’s Community Band. “While our audience continues to grow every summer, there are many people who can’t make the trip to Monument Park to see the show. By broadcasting the performances live we are able to bring the concerts directly to the audience, wherever they might be.”
    Band concerts are typically held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer at Monument Park in Houlton with an occasional performance on different evenings to coincide with special events.
    In addition to the live radio broadcast, the entire concert series will be streamed online at WBCQFM.com with both video and audio. “Live streaming video adds an entirely new dimension to the concerts,” states Fagnant. “We have fans from all over the world that catch a concert with friends and family when they are in town. Now they will be able to stay connected to the community by watching the concerts live and seeing the concert goers, musicians and hear the band they have come to love.”
    The broadcast and live streaming video is being sponsored by local organizations and businesses. Sponsorship messages will be included throughout the broadcast. “We started using steaming video during the previous high school basketball season. The response was incredible and we have now upgraded our technology and will be able to produce an impressive show for online viewers to watch,” stated Fred Grant, owner of Northern Maine Media Inc. the company responsible for programming on WBCQ 94.7 FM and WHOU 100.1 FM. “Concert-goers will notice very little change at the concerts but those listening and watching from away will be delighted by the production and how we’re integrating sponsors.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Dave Bates
FATHER-DAUGHTER DUO — Fred Grant, right, sings with his daughter Ellie during Friday’s performance with McGill’s Community Band as director Joe Fagnant looks on.
    As part of the production, a new break segment will be introduced to attendees. Messages will be collected throughout the first half of the concert and read live during the break. “It’s going to be a great way for the audience to say “hello” to friends and family watching from away,” stated Fagnant. “It will be very similar to audience messages read by Garrison Keillor during his show, “A Prairie Home Companion” broadcast on public radio.”
    Fagnant concludes, “The success of McGill’s is due to the complete experience of the concerts, the music, the audience and the setting. It’s great that we will be able to share a piece of this regional classic with the world.”
    McGill’s Community Band was started in 1985 by founder and music teacher David McGillicuddy. The multigenerational band brings together both amateur and professional musicians from Maine and New Brunswick to delight audiences throughout the summer. The band specializes in multiple music styles including traditional marches, show tunes, jazz, popular arrangements and medleys. With membership numbers in excess of 80, McGill’s is one of the largest community bands in the state of Maine.
    The next concert is set for Thursday, June 14 at 7 p.m.