TOWNSEND — Former Hawthorne Brook Middle School Band Director Kenneth Arsenault will return to the podium from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, when he conducts the Townsend Military Band during its evening concert on the Townsend Common.
Arsenault, who has been a longtime trumpet player with the Townsend Military Band, selected the musical program for the concert.
“My thought process in creating this concert program was simple,” Arsenault said. “I know that many people who attend our concerts enjoy marches. Marches are fun, foot-tapping pieces of music that audiences of all ages can appreciate. From young children to older adults, marches have a universal appeal. They are found in many cultures and countries around the world, making them a wonderful way to bring people together through music.”
Area residents of all ages are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of music while gathering with friends and neighbors on the Common.
The concert will be accompanied by a lawn party hosted by Townsend VFW Post No. 6538 and its Auxiliary. Beginning at 7 p.m., VFW members will serve hot dogs, hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches, along with popcorn, fried dough, bottled water and a variety of cold sodas. Food and beverages will be available until 9:15 p.m. or until supplies last.
VFW Auxiliary members will also offer a wide assortment of homemade baked goods, including cookies, squares, cakes, breads, candies and pies, to enjoy during the concert or take home.
The lawn party will include a few activities for children, and Townsend Band Stand tiles will be available for purchase.
The Townsend VFW Post and its Auxiliary will also host an informational booth where visitors can learn more about the organizations’ service to veterans and the community, as well as find out if they are eligible to join the Veterans of Foreign Wars or its Auxiliary.
“Having been a music educator for more than 56 years, I feel that my mission in life is to bring high-quality music to the public wherever I can,” Arsenault said. “Many families may never have the opportunity to enter a concert hall and experience a live performance, but a concert on the Common on a Thursday evening is accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone in the community.”
Arsenault believes there is something uniquely New England about concerts on the Common.
“They evoke the spirit of a Norman Rockwell painting — a gathering of friends, neighbors and families enjoying a summer evening together while sharing in the joy of live music,” he said. “It is a tradition that brings people together and reminds us of the important role music plays in enriching our communities.”
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