As parade season has arrived, and as a musician and director of the Hallowell Community Band, as well as the Westbrook City Band, I feel urged to bring the following request to people’s attention.
Our bands, along with many other community bands in our towns, participate in many local parades in our great state throughout the summer. I am not sure when this change happened (maybe during the COVID-19 pandemic) but I have noticed that the crowds who attend these parades no longer participate as active listeners, instead standing idly by or recording the action on their phones.
Parades serve as processions that celebrate special days, events or people. Our bands work very hard to sound good and perform well for our communities. Please encourage their efforts by showing them some appreciation as they pass by – clap along with the music, cheer, wave and make some noise in response.
Be present, celebrate and enjoy the moment as the processional passes by. (And attend our summer concerts, too!)
David Collier
Topsham
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