The Harpswell Concert Band kicked off the Bandstand by the Sea summer concert series on Thursday, June 27. Laura Sitterly photo The Harpswell Concert Band kicked off the Bandstand by the Sea’s 12th season last week with a tribute to the late Bob Modr, whose vision made the concert series possible. Modr passed away in February.
A trumpet player with a long career in music, he used to direct the Harpswell Concert Band before passing the torch to John Morneau. “Modr had a vision to make Mitchell Field a music venue,” said Bill Muldoon, volunteer chair of the bandstand committee. “Harpswell is geographically scattered.
Our first year, we used a bridge as our symbol because that’s how we viewed the program: a force that uses music to gather community.” The Harpswell Concert Band opens the concert series each year before passing the stage to an array of performers representing a variety of genres, including bluegrass, country, jazz and rock. Muldoon said audiences have grown to nearly 300 guests for each show.
The committee starts organizing in December to offer a balanced performance queue to sustain the ten-week season. “The show draws families, older and younger couples, and single folk,” said Muldoon. “Hence why we’ve expanded to include other types of music; it felt like the right thing to do, to serve those who love this series and their many tastes.
” Not all performers are invited annually; bluegrass fiddler Erica Brown, who is, recognizes the privilege.
