Bring a Lawn Chair or Blanket and Enjoy the Music

SWING INTO SUMMER!

Live Concerts resume at Gilbertville’s Stone Church

Friends of the Stone Church will present two Sunday afternoon band concerts on the lawn: “Summer Swing” by Weir River Jazz, on Sunday, June 13, and “Swing into Summer” by the Weir River Concert Band, on Sunday, June 27. Both events are free, outdoors at the Stone Church, 283 Main Street (MA 32), Gilbertville, from 2-4 pm. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments will be available. Naturally, we’ll comply with public health guidelines in effect at the time of each concert.

Following our long pandemic shutdown, these free community concerts are the first in-person events at the Stone Church. “The concerts were conceived in a spirit of hope by the groups, and are presented in a spirit of joy in bringing people together again,” said Judy Edington, FOSC president.

Weir River Jazz, a 17-member offshoot of the concert band, is dedicated to the appreciation and performance of Big Band jazz and swing music, and also performs more modern works. John Sacco, a Vietnam veteran and former public school music director, directs both groups, which rehearse weekly in their ‘new home’ at the Stone Church. Donna-Lee DePrille, a well-known vocalist from the Pioneer Valley, will perform with the jazz group on June 13.

Weir River Concert Band is a 30+ member, multi-generational ensemble of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, French horns, tubas and percussion.  The ensemble plays music from movies, television favorites, and traditional band music classics. It was formed in 2006, providing an opportunity for musicians of all ages from Ware and surrounding communities to bring people together through music.

This program is supported, in part, by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Project Grants program.