Sunday: End-of-season concert by Petersham Brass Band

PETERSHAM — The Petersham Brass Band will present an end-of-summer concert, Sunday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. from the bandstand on the common.

Sunday’s concert will be under the direction of Joseph Gougen, the current resident conductor for the band. Gougen is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and is currently the high school band director in Northbridge Public Schools. He recently completed a two-summer-long master’s program through Gordon College. The program kept him away from the podium during the regular concert season this year and the band welcomes him back for this special program.

This concert will highlight much of the new music that the band was able to purchase with a grant from the New Salem Academy board of trustees. A few of the pieces debuted during the final regular concert and the remainder will be performed in this concert.

This concert will include the marches, “Big Four March” by King, “Americans We” by Fillmore and “The Fairest of the Fair,” by Sousa. New selections making their debut with the band include “Joy Revisited” by Tichelli, “Spain” by Corea, “The Great Locomotive Chase” by Smith, “At Dawn they Slept” by Bocook, “Danzon No. 2” by Marquez and Ravel’s “Bolero.” Rounding out the concert are “Elsa’s Procession from the Cathedral” by Wagner, “Ceremonial for Band” by Erickson, “Festive Scenario” by Del Borgo, “The Eighties” by Higgins, “Olympic Centennial Celebration” by Williams and “Smokey Joe’s Café” by Vinson.

Refreshments will be available at the band hot dog stand and baked goods table, the proceeds of which help support the band. The Lions Club will be on hand with popcorn. In the event of rain, the concert will move inside Town Hall.

The Petersham Brass Band is a multi-generational group of musicians who enjoy playing all kinds of music together. Membership is open to any musician from high school age up. The band has performed continuously since its founding in 1914. The only exceptions were during World War II and the pandemic of 2020. Sunday’s concert will mark the 842nd performance by the band.