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Serenading Summer: The Acton Band

Concertgoers gathered on the Fruitlands lawn, soaking in stunning sunset views and tucking into picnic suppers.

By Laurie O’Neill ·

As the sun sets at Fruitlands Museum, musical director Jim O’Dell conducts the band’s last concert of the season. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
As the sun sets at Fruitlands Museum, musical director Jim O’Dell conducts the band’s last concert of the season. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

The Acton Band this summer celebrated 40 years at its seasonal performance venue, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. 

Weather permitting, concertgoers gathered on the Fruitlands lawn for the Wednesday events, soaking in stunning sunset views and tucking into picnic suppers. 

A youngster in the audience flies a kite as the Acton Band plays on. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
A youngster in the audience flies a kite as the Acton Band plays on. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Concertgoers relax on the lawn as they tune in to the band, whose musicians hail from more than 40 communities, including Acton. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Concertgoers relax on the lawn as they tune in to the band, whose musicians hail from more than 40 communities, including Acton. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

On July 16 an enthusiastic audience enjoyed a variety of works, including “Dixieland Live!” by Louis J. Buckley; “Pennyghael: Reflections of Scotland,” written for the band by its first musical director, Bill Toland; John Philip Sousa’s “The Thunderer”; Suite from “Hamilton”; “Spirit of ’76” by Clare Grundman; selections from “Moana”; and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” 

It was the band’s last summer concert of the season. 

The group’s outdoor concerts go back even further than 40 years — founded in 1959, the band played at the North Bridge Visitor Center from the 1950s to the early 1980s. Its winter home is the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. Each July 4, it performs at Picnic in the Park. 

A dragonfly alights on a microphone as musical director Jim O’Dell conducts the Acton Band at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, continuing a tradition that began 40 years ago. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
A dragonfly alights on a microphone as musical director Jim O’Dell conducts the Acton Band at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, continuing a tradition that began 40 years ago. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Rich Given performs a trumpet solo as musical director Jim O’Dell conducts. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Rich Given performs a trumpet solo as musical director Jim O’Dell conducts. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Alto saxophone player Dan Shields warms up before the band’s final summer concert. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Alto saxophone player Dan Shields warms up before the band’s final summer concert. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Concordian David Gaylin focuses on his clarinet. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Concordian David Gaylin focuses on his clarinet. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

Its 65 musicians represent more than 40 area communities and a wide range of professions. Five current members are from Acton: Laura Finklestein (piccolo); David Gaylin (clarinet); Margaret Romero (trumpet); Cam Owen (French horn); and Jim Smith (baritone horn). 

For more information on the group, visit concordband.org.

The band entertains the Fruitlands crowd. Its winter home is the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
The band entertains the Fruitlands crowd. Its winter home is the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Musical director Jim O’Dell and the Acton Band accept applause from the Fruitlands Museum audience after the final musical selection. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge
Musical director Jim O’Dell and the Acton Band accept applause from the Fruitlands Museum audience after the final musical selection. Photo: Ken McGagh/The Acton Bridge

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