MetWinds Free Outdoor Concert: "Summer Pastimes!"

MetWinds Band Concert at Hastings Park: “Summer Pastimes!”

MetWinds will present four outdoor concerts this summer on Thursday nights in July, beginning on July 10th, at Hastings Park, located at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road in Lexington, Massachusetts. These concerts are free to the public and will run, weather permitting, from 7:30 to 8:30pm on July 10th, July 17th, July 24th, and July 31st.

What do you enjoy most about summer? Relaxing by the water? Sailing? Reading? Going to a baseball game? Whatever your favorite is, you will find inspiration in the form of music at the MetWinds concert on July 31st at 7:30pm. Join the group and guest conductor Gabe Southard as we explore the joys of summer! Pieces include the baseball inspired Fanfare for Fenway by John Williams and Pastime by Jack Stamp; the beautiful Shenandoah by Frank Ticheli; the chaotic Country Band March by Charles Ives; and more! Bring your beach chairs and sunscreen to Hastings Park in Lexington. We’ll see you there!

Each summer concert is free of charge and open to the public. The grounds at Hastings Park will open each evening for picnic at 6:00pm. Guests should bring their own food, lawn chairs, blankets, and so on. There is plenty of free parking and the concert location is handicapped-accessible. In the event of inclement weather, concert cancellations will be posted on our website and a message will be left  on our concert line.

Visit the MetWinds web page at http://www.metwinds.org or call the MetWinds Concert Line at (978) 419-1697 for more information. Email info@metwinds.org with any questions.

You may also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates. 

About the Guest Conductor: Dr. Robert “Gabe” Southard joined Gordon College in the Fall of 2022 as Associate Teaching Professor of Music and conductor of the Gordon Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band. He is also the Wind Ensemble conductor for the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras. Prior to joining Gordon’s music faculty, Dr. Southard served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Head of Instrumental Music Education, and Head of Winds and Brass Area at Hope College, MI. Dr. Southard completed his DMA in Conducting at Michigan State University where he studied with Professor John Whitwell. Prior to this, Dr. Southard served as Wind Symphony Conductor and Flute Instructor at the University of Michigan-Flint. He also holds degrees from University of Wisconsin Madison and Ithaca College. Dr. Southard is also an active orchestrator and performer on flute. He served as principal flute of the Holland Symphony Orchestra, MI for several years and has performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Lucca Opera Orchestra, Italy, as well as a number of community orchestras. Dr. Southard was a semi-finalist in the National Flute Association’s Piccolo Artist competition and winner of the 2016 Convention Performers Competition. 

About MetWinds: Founded by Jerry Gardner in 1971, the Metropolitan Wind Symphony, a concert band, is currently celebrating its 54th anniversary. The MetWinds comprises over 70 talented woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists who audition for membership and seating. It makes a significant contribution to the cultural life of the Greater Boston community by providing its audiences with high quality concerts and its members with opportunities for musical growth.

This and other concerts by the MetWinds are funded in part by the Lexington Council for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.