Okay, guys, so here’s the deal with the Buzzards Bay Music Festival I hit up this year. I’d heard about it before, and it sounded pretty cool, so I figured why not check it out? It was happening from July 10th to July 14th, so a good chunk of time to soak in some tunes.
First off, I got myself online and did some digging. Found out it was all going down at the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA. Nice spot, I’d never been. The program had everything – orchestra, jazz, swing, piano duets, even a harp. A real mixed bag, you know?
Getting My Bearings
I checked out their official program for 2024 to see what was up. Wednesday, July 10th, was the kick-off with the orchestra. I marked that down for sure. They also mentioned Mozart and Schumann’s First Symphonies, which sounded right up my alley. I’m no classical music expert, but I know what I like, and that sounded pretty sweet.
They had a bunch of soloists lined up, too. Four, to be exact. I thought, “Man, these guys must be good to get a solo gig here.” Charles Stegeman was the artistic director, and apparently, he and some guest conductors have put together over 150 performances in all kinds of styles. That’s a lot of music!
Diving In
So, I rolled up on Wednesday evening. The vibe was chill but also kind of buzzing, you know? Lots of folks milling around, excited for the music. I grabbed a seat, and the orchestra started up. It was powerful, man. Really filled up the whole place. They played beautifully, and the soloists were fantastic. I could see why they were picked.
- Wednesday: Full orchestra night, including those Mozart and Schumann pieces.
- Thursday: Chamber music. This was a bit more intimate, which I dug.
- Friday: Swing band! This was a blast. Got everyone’s feet tapping.
I ended up going back on Thursday and Friday, too. Thursday was chamber music, which was a nice change of pace. More laid-back, but still super impressive. Then Friday, they had a swing band. That was just pure fun. Everyone was dancing and having a great time.
Wrapping Up
All in all, the Buzzards Bay Music Festival was a solid experience. I got to hear a bunch of different types of music, saw some really talented musicians, and just enjoyed the whole atmosphere. It wasn’t too crowded, but there were enough people to make it feel like a real event. If you’re into music and you’re around next July, I’d say it’s definitely worth checking out. You might discover something new, and you’ll definitely have a good time.
Oh, and a little tip for anyone thinking of going next year: make sure to check out the program in advance. There’s a lot going on, so it helps to have a bit of a plan. But also, don’t be afraid to just wander around and see what catches your ear. That’s what I did, and it worked out great.
