By 
Free Concerts on the Lawn at Stone Church June 2 and 23
Jazz and swing music will ring forth on the Route 32 Hill in Gibertville at 2 pm Sunday June 9, 2024 when the Weir River Jazz ensemble offers “Jazz in June,” and at 2 pm on Sunday June 23, 2024 when the Weir River Concert Band will perform “Highlights from Stage and Screen,” its summer salute to Broadway and movie music. John P. Sacco, music educator and U.S. Air Force veteran will conduct both concerts at the Stone Church Cultural Center, 283 Main Street (Route 32), Gilbertville, MA 01031. All are welcome to these free events. FOSC invites attendees to bring a lawn chair and sunshade, and will provide some tents space and chairs as well. Tent space on June 9 will be a little more limited than in prior years.
The Weir River Jazz Ensemble began in 2007 as an off-shoot of the Ware Community Band. Several band members had ‘big band’ experience and several others wanted an opportunity to play in that type of band. So Sacco delved into his music library and put together what he calls a ‘rag tag mixed bag’ group. At first, several members played secondary instruments to cover the missing parts. Over time, the personnel changed, waxed and waned, and Sacco continued to add to their repertoire. They now have over 200 tunes ranging from the Big Band era to more modern arrangements. These swinging jazz enthusiasts, playing brass, woodwinds and percussion instruments, look forward to sharing their music.
On June 23, the Weir River Concert Band (WRCB) will perform a challenging program highlighted by the “Theme from Schindler’s List,” “Man of LaMancha,” and a “Salute to the Cinema.” The program features solos by Matt Gromosky on trumpet, Alyssa Rusciecki on flute, and Arnold Cerezo on clarinet.
In 2021, after moving to the Stone Church Cultural Center, Sacco renamed both groups after the Ware River, which flows along across Route 32 from their ‘adopted’ rehearsal space. Each group presents two concerts in Gilbertville: in June ‘on the lawn,’ and in celebration of December holidays. These concerts are always free.
This year FOSC was fortunate to hear from several band musicians about when they joined the band and how long they’ve been playing. Here are their remarks.
Amy Sacco, clarinet, 18 years with WRCB., started playing clarinet in 5th grade. She appreciates the friendships that she’s formed through mutual appreciation of music.
Kelly Slattery, bass clarinet, 14 years with the band: “I’ve played music since 4th grade, and never stopped.”
Jim Pavao, electric bass, 4 years with WRCB: “I’ve played trombone since 1961, but when my lip had medical issues, I switched to electric bass.”
Paul Varney, Sr., trumpet, 7 months, Heard the band 25 years ago and wanted to start playing again. “I have found out that all involved are great, not only playing but they are all good people and have invited me in. I’m also the Stone Church Cultural Center auctioneer, which I love.”
Karen Gruetin, announcer: I began as emcee in 2016. My oldest son Gabe (a fantastic musician!) was playing clarinet with the Band, and John asked if in addition to singing “You Raise Me Up,” would I mind announcing between songs….I said yes, and the rest is history!” Karen recounts how she trained as a classical vocalist at Anna Maria College and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Music Therapy. After she married and had four sons, she continued to work part-time as a therapist, but gradually gave that up to work as a cantor and music minister through the Worcester and Springfield Dioceses. She says of being WRCB’s announcer: “I love this: it is a passion!”
In Memorial Day season, FOSC acknowledges and thanks John P. Sacco for his music leadership, and for his distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force in Viet Nam, in Kosovo, and in the Gulf Wars. Mr. Sacco continues to conduct both groups and to manage the jazz ensemble.
The Weir River Concert Band now is managed by a volunteer board of musician-directors:
Amy Sacco, the manager who selects the music for each concert; Gary Lapine, Heather Malin, Christine Thompson-Boyer, and Joanne Meegan, chair. “The board is managed democratically We are all involved in any decisions made …,” says Meegan.
Country Bank is sponsoring Concerts on the Lawn as part of its community giving program. Partial support also comes from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and from the Cultural Councils of Barre and Petersham, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council. New Braintree-based company Batch Microcreamery will sell ice cream from its truck on June 23 only.. Donations to the non-profit Friends of the Stone Church (FOSC) for the preservation of the building will be gratefully accepted at both concerts.
Friends of the Stone Church 