BANDTOBERFEST – A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CELEBRATION OF AUTUMN ON THE AMHERST COMMON

September 14, 2021 [Amherst, MA] –– The UMass Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, conducted by Matthew Westgate, will perform on Saturday, September 25 from 2 to 5 pm in a program of non-stop live musical entertainment. The outdoor concert is free to attend with a rain date of September 26. The repertoire includes Holst's Suite in E-flat, ​music by Tchaikovksy, Smetana, Sousa, Strauss, and Fillmore; jazz and ragtime by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Scott Joplin, latin-inspired music such as The Peanut Vendor, a tribute to Aretha Franklin and music from Mary Poppins.

Local beer and cider vendors will have brews for sale on the common and people are encouraged to support our local eateries and cafes by taking out for a picnic or by stocking up on the bounty of the harvest at the Amherst Farmers Market before the concert.

Conductor Matthew Westgate expressed, “We were so energized by performing our outdoor Wind Ensemble concert last May that we had to find another opportunity to connect with the town as soon as we could. We hope everyone will come to the Common to enjoy a wide variety of fun music and to support local restaurants and breweries. Bring the whole family and let's make Bandtoberfest an annual tradition!"

 “We are so happy to have these exceptional student musicians back again performing downtown in another beautiful season, continuing the great success of the summer music series. The Amherst Downtown BID welcomes the opportunity to help facilitate this fun event on the common.” said Gabrielle Gould, Executive Director for the BID.