Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 5/9/2023
BELCHERTOWN — The Committee to Support the Belchertown Music Boosters is looking to host its first summer concert starting this year with G.E. Smith set to headline.
The performance is scheduled at Belchertown High School auditorium on Saturday, July 15, followed by a masterclass on the history of guitar in America on Sunday, July 16.
Although this will be the first concert hosted by the committee, member Brian Gibbons said he is hoping this becomes an annual event and is already talking to two other musicians for future concerts.
Gibbons said the goal was to bring in a top artist who has left their impression on the industry in one way or another.
Smith is a guitarist and was also the music director or band leader for the Saturday Night Live Band in the 1980s and 90s.
Smith has also been associated with Darryl Hall, John Oates, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Roger Waters and more.
In addition to his recording and performing resume, Smith has been music director for many events like Live Aid, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert, Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert, and the Kennedy Center Honors.
He added, “We wanted an artist to both give a performance as well as make themselves available for an interview with our music professionals with a Q/A session for the music students and community. We are so happy to have had G.E. Smith agree to our first event.”
According to Gibbons, Smith will illustrate with masterclass conversation musical underpinnings. He has presented several events at the Smithsonian Museum, NPR and Eric Fischl’s Sag Harbor Church.
Gibbons added that the committee is working on having either students or other musicians open for Smith.
“It is a wonderful event to bring the community together for a weekend in the summer,” he said.
Tickets are scheduled to be available at first for pre-sale for the Belchertown music program before being made available to the public after a few weeks.
Gibbons added the hope is that the tickets will be available in the middle of May on its Facebook page, facebook.com/BelchertownBandBoosters and eventually added to Eventbrite at the beginning of June.
He added that there will be plenty of updates also available on the Facebook for the community members.
According to Gibbons, tickets will be $10 for students. There will be tier one tickets for $50 that will give you seats in the front of the auditorium. Tier two tickets will cost $40 and tier three will cost $30.
All proceeds of the event will go to the boosters.
Gibbons said, “The hope is bringing excitement to the music curriculum program for the students. An added benefit will hopefully help raise some needed funding.”
The Belchertown Music Boosters is a group of volunteers who support the Belchertown band, chorus and general music students grades K-12 by fundraising, organizing, and chaperoning events.
The money raised goes directly to the bands and choruses to assist with instrument lesson subsidies, tuition for music camps, student awards, banquets, field trips, uniforms, college scholarships and more.
Belchertown Music Boosters President Sarah Hartmann added, “I think it’s critical that kids have access to arts and music in schools. Unfortunately, it is usually one of the first programs that get cut when it comes to budget time so we exist to not only bring awareness to music education in the schools but also to supplement so that our music education program can remain in the system and strive.”
Hartmann said that the Belchertown band is one of the strongest in Western Massachusetts and the state at the high school level.
The BBB just recently raised enough money to purchase new high school band uniforms that have not been replaced in over 30 years. Their next goal is to replace the marching percussion instruments of the band, according to Hartmann.
Research has shown that students reap many rewards from participating in extracurricular activities, including earning higher grades and test scores.
Gibbons said, “After [COVID-19], it punched everyone in the face. The younger kids got involved in other stuff like video games or whatever. They were isolated they were alone. They weren’t apart of a group making music which Belchertown prides itself on.”
He added, “There are a lot of wonderful groups out there that are helping raise money for the district but the music boosters are unique. No child has to worry about anything if they are in the music program and we can help them continue to pursue music.”
The hope is not only to support the boosters but to also put on a great experience for the community.
“I think all of our big fundraising events are critical. Anytime we can involve the community on a bigger level other than just the band parents really supplements our goals well because it brings in funds we wouldn’t necessarily have access to on a regular basis,” Hartmann added.
The group’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Auction Allergro, just took place on April 30. The organization also puts on other small fundraisers throughout the year but hope this event can continue for years to come.
Hartmann said, “The event is not only big for us as a board or an organization but also for these kids in Belchertown. Any extra source of funding that we can come across is a bonus for us and them. If it becomes a yearly event that is even better for everyone.”