Community Band slates inaugural weekend camp

Event features music of H.J. Crosby

By Rick Wing
Publicity Chair

DEXTER — “Nestled on the shores of Lake Wassookeag, from the Penobscot Indians meaning “shining water,” the town of Dexter reflects rural Maine at its best, quiet, quaint, and picturesque, the perfect backdrop for a weekend of music, music ringing through the autumn magic that is Dexter.”

The Harold J. Crosby Community Band of Dexter is proud to announce its inaugural HJ Crosby Band Camp, set for Sept. 16-18. This annual camp for adult musicians will feature the music of our namesake, Dexter native Harold Josiah Crosby, and other Maine composers and arrangers such as Heywood S. Jones and Roger Snow, composer of the “State of Maine Song”. The band will be under the direction of Dr. Earl Lord, one of the founders of the HJ Crosby Band and its current musical director.

The band camp will be using the Ridge View Community School for practices as it is large enough to handle an anticipated 50-member band of all ages and playing abilities. Practices will begin on the evening of Friday, Sept. 16 continue on Saturday, and culminate in a free public concert Sunday afternoon at in the Dexter Town Hall.

Dexter has always embraced and supported her band for many years and is opening up the community for its musical guests. “The Town of Dexter is happy to welcome all of the participants of the inaugural H.J. Crosby Band Camp,” Dexter Town Manager Shelley Watson said. “This is truly an exciting endeavor which will showcase the talent that abounds in this community and the dedication of all the musicians.”

The free concert is the band’s way of expressing their appreciation for that support.

Because many of the “campers” will be coming from out of the area, the schedule has ample time built into it for them to explore all that the region has to offer, to include Lake Wassookeag, excursions north to Moosehead Lake or south to Newport and all points in-between or perhaps just wandering the streets and shops of Dexter.

The H.J. Crosby Band Camp is sponsored by the Carl R. Cuthbert Community Band Foundation, dedicated to “promoting music education … with performance opportunities for any ages at any stage of musical experience and competence.” There are no fees for attending this camp.

The Community Band Foundation wants it to be known that no one will be refused registration for any monetary reason, “we believe in sharing and want to share our love of music and the beauty of playing music together in Maine’s autumn season with anyone who wants to join us. There are no costs to musicians and their guests.” Meals and snacks will be provided by donations and sponsors throughout the Penquis region.

Though the dates for this adult band camp are fast approaching, there is still room for any other musicians who might want to attend and play with this inaugural band, regardless of their level of musicianship. If you are interested in joining this group for a weekend of music, please call the foundation at 924-6235 to register. No one will be turned away.

Even if you do not see yourself as a musician, you are cordially invited to share in the achievements of the HJ Crosby Band Camp participants. Please join us at the Dexter Town Hall at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18 for a free concert. Come celebrate the first of many Crosby Band Camps to come, the music of Maine’s composers and “the autumn magic that is Dexter.”