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West Springfield kicks off 42nd Annual Family Concert Series

By Michelle Kealey

Staff Writer



WEST SPRINGFIELD The West Springfield Parks and Recreation Department has kicked-off its 42nd Annual Family Concert Series with a performance by the West Springfield High School Music Department on May 19.

Anthony Di Giore, coordinator of the family concert series, said there are 28 concerts planned this year for the series, which has the theme, "Music: The Heart of Education."

He explained that he borrowed the theme from the National Music Educators Group and chose it because music and the arts are the first to be cut in education and he feels the two are important.

He explained that the Parks and Recreation Department funds the concerts each year. Other groups, such as the West Springfield Rotary Club, which funds the program booklet, and local business also pitch in to make the series possible each year.

He said that the cost to support the series is about $9,700. The Parks and Recreation Department has $5,000 budgeted each year.

Di Giore said that he raised the funds and seeks the donations necessary to make up the difference in cost.

He said that businesses such as Landmark at Monastery Heights, the Eastern States Exposition, the Rotary Club and the Federal Credit Union have given donations.

Di Giore has planned the series for all of its 42 years and said he enjoys doing it.

"Every minute, I enjoy it," he said. "As soon as the last concert ends, I start to plan the next series."

The concerts take place at a variety of locations throughout the city, including the Town Common, Landmark at Monastery Heights, and the Gazebo at Storrowton Village.

He said that he used existing community resources and a mobile stage that was purchased 15 years ago to put on all 28 concerts.

He added that the new middle school gives him a place to move the concerts if the weather does not cooperate.

He added that 300 to 400 people attend each concert.

This year's schedule is (* denotes the rain location MSA=Middle School Auditorium. HSA = High School Auditorium. BGA=Boys and Girls Club Auditorium):

June 2 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Trio Barynya, Town Common. *BGA

June 16 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. The Pecos River Band, Clark Field *HSA

June 23 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Jay Messer Quintet, Storrowton Village Green Gazebo. *MSA

June 30 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. The Old Post Road Orchestra. Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

July 4 from 11 - 12 p.m. Toe-to-Toe Dance School, Town Common *MSA

July 4 from 1:30 - 2 p.m. The Westfield American Legion Concert Band, Town Common *MSA

July 4 from 7 - 9 p.m. The Diamond Collection, Town Common. *MSA

July 4 at 9 p.m. fireworks.

July 7 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. The Memories, Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

July 8 at 9 p.m. Drive in Movie, Shark Tail, Clark Field.

July 14 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Ethel Lee Ensemble, Storrowton Village Green. *MSA

July 21 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Richie Mitnick Ensemble, Storrowton Village Green. *MSA

July 28 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Jos Santos, Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

August 6 from 12:30 - 2 p.m. A Ray of Elvis, Town Common (34 Arts Festival) *MSA

August 6 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Schumann and Carter Duo, Town Common. (34 Arts Festival) *MSA

August 7 from 3-4:30 p.m. British Band, Town Common (34 Arts Festival) *MSA

August 7 at 2 and 4 p.m. Mr. Slim Vaudeville, Town Common. *MSA

August 11 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. The Heritage Pops Orchestra, Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

August 18 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Cruisin' with the Crooners, Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

August 25 from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Dan Kane and Friends, Landmark at Monastery Heights. *MSA

October 28 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Halloween Party, Mittineague Park Rotary Pavilion.

December 1 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Holiday Greetings, Elm Street Gazebo.

December 3 from 2 - 4 p.m. Sound of New England Chorus, High School Auditorium.

December 11 at 2 p.m. Santa arrives at Mittineague Park Santa's House.

December 27 from 3 - 4 p.m. Chanakkah Celebration, Town Common (Majestic Theater).

The schedule is subject to change in date, time and venue.

For immediate update information, call the events hotline at 781-3020 after 3:30 p.m.

For more information about the Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.west-springfield.ma.us.