Harold J. Crosby Community Band Camp comes to Dexter this weekend

DEXTER — On Sept. 14-16 Dexter will once again host the Harold J. Crosby Community Band Camp at the Ridge View Community School on the Fern Road. This three-day band camp brings in musicians from throughout the country to play the music of Maine composers and arrangers to include Dexter’s own Harold J. Crosby, a contemporary of John Phillip Sousa.

Unlike other band camps, which offer music classes and multiple opportunities to play, the Crosby Band Camp holds four rehearsal sessions and culminates in a performance on the last day of camp. Another difference is that this camp is free, to include all meals and in some case lodging. The expenses are covered by the Carl Cuthbert Community Band Foundation and generous donations from the community and individuals.

Band Camp 2017 started a new tradition of inviting guest conductors. The first conductor was Ed Madden, the arranger for the State of Maine Song. This year, Band Camp 2018, the guest conductor hails from New Jersey, Dr. Christian Wilhjelm the conductor of the Ridgewood (NJ) Concert Band. An accomplished musician, he has been the principal French Horn player with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Boston Ballet. He will be performing a French Horn solo with the band, a special treat for the band members and concert goers.

The public is cordially invited to attend the free cabaret-style concert of Band Camp 2018 at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16 at the Ridge View Community School. Please, come and help the band celebrate Maine’s composers and arrangers on an autumn afternoon in Dexter.