Town promotes free concerts during difficult economy
Date: 2/24/2009
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Free high-quality community programming such as the Park and Recreation Department's 46th Annual Family Concert Series is at its highest premium as families struggle to afford entertainment.
Despite potential budget cuts, the show must go on. The concert lineup from March 7 to Dec. 14 has been booked and the West Springfield Rotary Club is in the final weeks of its fundraiser for the affair.
"In these hard times [when] people are [experiencing] job cuts and the average cost of living is going up.it gives [people] peace of mind to have a free concert series," Rotary Club President Derek Benton said during an interview with Reminder Publications.
He noted that the town funds the concerts and the Rotary Club raises approximately $10,000 for the 6,500 concert booklets and advertising each year.
"I wouldn't have been able to do 46 seasons of these concerts without community support," Rotarian Tony DiGiore, cultural program coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department and founder of the concert series, said. "The community is very pro-music.I think for a town of 27,000 we swing more than a bat and ball [in the Parks and Recreation Department]. We've expanded the cultural backbone of the community."
Domenic Longo, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, explained that the town pays for concerts that are not funded by grants or sponsorships. He noted that the town allocates approximately $13,000 for the programming.
Longo said the town would not be able to afford advertisements or concert booklets without the assistance of the Rotary Club.
DiGiore noted that the 2009 Concert Series will kick off on March 7 at 7 p.m. with a performance by the United States Army Field Band at West Springfield Middle School, 31 Middle School Dr.
The Concert Series will continue throughout the year with a variety of musical performances by students in the West Springfield schools and various local bands.
DiGiore noted that Rotarians have raised approximately $6,500 for the booklets for this year's concert series. He added that they are making their final push for donations over the next few weeks.
To make a donation to the Rotary Club or to obtain tickets to the March 7 concert, contact DiGiore at 739-9065 or
digiore@earthlink.net.The following is the complete list of performances throughout the 2009 Family Concert Series:
March 7: United States Army Field Band Volunteers in the Middle School Auditorium at 7 p.m.
May 14: West Springfield Schools Music Department at the Town Common from 6-7:30 p.m. *
May 21: West Side Senior Showstoppers in the High School Auditorium from 7-8:30 p.m.
June 4: WESPAC Artist Showcase at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 5-7 p.m. *
June 4: The Jazz Bones at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. *
June 17: Cicci Santucchi Jazz Ensemble at Storrowton Village Green Gazebo from 7-8:30 p.m. *
June 25: The Old Post Road Orchestra at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. *
July 4: The Glamour Girls at the Town Common from 1-3 p.m. *
July 8: Dan Kane & Friends at the Storrowton Village Green from 7-8:30 p.m. *
July 15: Ethel Lee Ensemble at the Storrowton Village Green from 7-8:30 p.m. *
July 22: Richie Mitnick Ensemble at the Storrowton Village Green from 7-8:30 p.m. *
July 30: Jus Us... Band at the Town Common from 7-8:30 p.m.*
Aug. 4: Camp Carnival from 6:30-8 p.m.; Family Outdoors Movie (TBA) ~ at West Springfield Middle School.
Aug. 6: Cruisin' With The Crooners at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. *
Aug. 13: Narragansett Community Band at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 7-8:30 p.m.
Aug. 20: The Heritage "Pops" Orchestra at Landmark at Monastery Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. *
Aug. 21: West Side Idols 1 at the Majestic Theater for two free performances 2 and 7 p.m.
Aug. 27: The Brass attack at Landmark at Monastery Heights from7-8:30 p.m. *
Oct. 30: Halloween Party at Mittineague Park Rotary Pavilion from 6:45-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 3: The 22nd Annual Caroling on the Green at Elm Street Gazebo from 5:45-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: Santa arrives at his Mittineague Park House at 2 p.m.
Dec. 14: The Sixth Annual Chanukah Festival of Lights in the Majestic Theater Lobby from 4-5 p.m.
* In the event of inclement weather, programs will take place in the Middle School Auditorium*
