Conductor Christopher White leads the University of Maine Symphonic Band during a free concert Friday evening in Houlton. McGill’s Community Band also participated in the night of music. (Joseph Cyr)
HOULTON, Maine — The University of Maine Symphonic Band made a stop in Houlton Friday evening to perform a free concert at the Houlton Community Arts Center.
The Symphonic Band is dedicated to playing serious literature written for band and smaller wind and percussion groups. The members perform in concerts on campus, go on a spring tour, and appear in several run-out concerts in public schools throughout the year.
Under the direction of Christopher White, the symphonic band played a number of rousing tunes, including several marches and the University of Maine’s “Stein Song”. The show marked the ninth of 10 shows as part of a four-day tour through Aroostook and Penobscot counties. The tour also included performances at Easton High School, Presque Isle Middle School and Central Aroostook High School.
Kyle Goupille of Presque Isle was the featured soloist Friday evening as the University of Maine Symphonic Band performed a free concert in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr)
One of the soloists for the show was Presque Isle native Kyle Goupille, who was the winner of the band’s 2016-17 solo competition. Goupille is a fourth-year music education and music performance double major at the University. He is the principal trumpet player in the Symphonic Band and is a member of the University’s Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and the University Orchestra.
After graduation, Goupille hopes to pursue a graduate-level education and to keep performing and teaching.
McGill’s Community Band is embarking on its 32nd year of performing music in the Shiretown. It has become one of the largest community bands in the state to consistently perform each summer.
McGill’s Community Band’s regular summer concert series begins Thursday, June 15 in Houlton’s Monument Park.
