Band Concerts
It wouldn’t seem like summer in Townsend if there wasn’t a Thursday evening Band Concert on the Common. Concerts have traditionally begun in June and run through mid-August, every Thursday evening (weather permitting) from 7:30-9:30. Local organizations host a lawn party in conjunction with these concerts, and while the band plays there is often popcorn, hotdogs and hamburgers, sodas, and the sights and sounds of merriment. Families lounge on blankets, seniors sit on lawn chairs, children enjoy chasing bubbles or playing lawn games, and it resembles a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting or a Sam Thorpe painting of the Common in Summer.
It all began way back in 1817.
Townsend lays claim to fame as having the third oldest band in the country, playing continuously since 1817. In “The History of the Townsend Military Band 1838-1938” by Timothy E. Flarity, it is mentioned that information on the ‘early’ days of the band was received from old band musicians such as Asa K. Tyler who played in the band for 66 years, and also from George E. Clark who played for many years. The oldest information dates back to 1817 when the band was formed and known as the Townsend Light Infantry Band. The band played at parades, musters and infantry inspections. At these musters and inspections music was important and musicians were sought to serve on such occasions. There were often 6 to 15 players in the Light Infantry Band. Music schools offered instructions on pieces of music to be played. The musicians later organized the Townsend Military Band in 1838. It was originally a military band and has been playing continuously since 1817 although being formally organized in 1838 with Luther Adams as leader.
Through the years the band had numerous leaders or conductors, and was very well regarded. The band was invited to play at Concord in 1840 and Flarity notes, “played for a great political rally during the Harrison campaign.” Money was raised in 1853 through the local paper, to hire a teacher for the training of the band. After donations from town leaders such as Joel Adams, Calvin Boutelle and Walter Fessenden, the position was achieved by Dustin Marble of Lowell. A constitution and by-laws for the band were established by a committee, and were drawn up and adopted by the band. The name adopted at that time was the Townsend Brass Band.
Under Mr. Marble’s direction the band expanded to play at local towns. Concerts were held in Leominster and Groton and Lunenburg. Uniforms were also ordered for the band consisting of “white duck pants and blue alpaca coats.” Flarity notes that in 1857 the band, now under the leadership of Adams Reed, was asked to play at a Temperance picnic in Lunenburg. The bright new uniforms didn’t fare well when the band was caught in a torrential rainstorm and the uniforms were drenched. The picnic was moved to a church, indoors!
Adams Reed – Key Bugle Player and Band Leader
Adams Reed continued as Leader of the band from 1857-1860 playing in the surrounding towns of Groton, Ashby and Fitchburg.
During the 1860 campaign of Abraham Lincoln the band played in Groton, Groton Junction, Ashby and Fitchburg. Flarity states, “It was at Fitchburg during this campaign that Adams Reed did his last playing with the band. He was taken sick, and died on January 28, 1861 at the age of 44 years. His key bugle, which he played so well, and his band cap and coat have been placed in the Historical Room of the Hart Free Public Library.”
General William Taylor was chosen as leader of the band after the esteemed Adams Reed. Under Taylor’s direction the band participated in a huge event…the Musical Convention at Brookline, NH. This was an exciting gathering of bands from Pepperell, Milford, Groton Junction and other places. William Taylor was well regarded by the musicians who referred to his as “The General.” Stephen A. Tyler, brother of Asa Tyler, took over as the next leader when “The General” retired in 1866.
Five members of the band enlisted during the Civil War in the 33rd Regt. Mass. Volunteers. Other members enlisted in another regiment. Charles Spaulding died in New Orleans and Henry J. Parker was killed at the Battle of Resica in Georgia.
After the war the other band members returned home and resumed playing in the Townsend Military Band.
Timothy Flarity notes (no pun intended) that on July 4, 1879 the band went to Walden Pond to attend a large band contest from many towns across Massachusetts. “Townsend Band won first prize, a very handsome black ebony baton with gold mountings. The band returned home highly elated over their success and received the hearty congratulations of the towns’s people.”
Asa K. Tyler, “Townsend’s Grand Old Man”
Asa K. Tyler, “Townsend’s Grand Old Man” began playing in the Townsend Band in 1861 and played for 66 years, retiring in 1927. It was noted that Asa Tyler seldom missed a rehearsal and was often the first to arrive for practice. He was “a fine E flat bass player and played with most of the bands in this vicinity.” It is recorded that “His record of faithful attendance has never been equalled by any member and his splendid ability and genial disposition has been a valuable asset to Townsend Band.” Asa Tyler died at the age of 93 on Sept 15, 1934. He was Townsend’s oldest citizen at the time and the entire band attended his funeral at the Congregational Church and played his favorite funeral march as they escorted the funeral procession to the cemetery. The band played “The Old Rugged Cross,’ one of Asa’s favorite hymns.
Over the years many band leaders left their mark on the band and on future musicians. Quite a few of Townsend’s band leaders also acted as tutors to young musicians and built a steady stream of future musicians who would join the band when positions became available.
Betty Mae Tenney has been Manager of the Band since 1969 when she was just 21 years old.
She prepares the schedules for the summer Band Concerts and also plays the clarinet in the band.
The current Band Conductor since 2019 is Tom Souza, who also acts as Band Director at North Middlesex Regional High School. Mr. Souza, is building a fine group of musicians. The Historical Society was pleased to have two of Mr. Souza’s students act as Drummers during the April 19th March (2025) honoring Townsend’s 73 Minutemen who marched from Townsend to Concord in 1775.
The Bandstand On The Common
The original Townsend Military Band played on the common, which was used as a livestock pasture and a training area for Townsend’s militia and minutemen. The first bandstand was constructed around 1857 but was eventually in disrepair so around 1892 plans were made to construct a modern bandstand. The band held a fundraising concert in the new Memorial Hall for its construction, and Captain A.D. Fessenden came forward with funds for the lumber and materials, and a large part of the labor as well. Francis L. Spring was hired to build the new bandstand and after visiting other towns to see their modern designs he then designed the new bandstand for Townsend’s Common.
Information on the Old Bandstand is provided by Timothy Flarity’s book as well as information provided by the Office of the Town Clerk and Posted by David Levine in “History Stands Still: the Background of Bandstands Throughout New England.” It states:
Its venerable old bandstand was built in 1892 on the spacious Townsend Common being built by Francis L. Spring. The structure replaced another bandstand that had housed the Townsend Military Band. Captain Anson Fessenden financed around a half of the funds to build the structure, with the citizens of Townsend raising the rest and with the bandstand costing about $400 that year. On August 22, 1892, a special dedication ceremony was held on the new structure followed by a concert presented by the Townsend Military Band that was formed in 1838. From that point on, a special Memorial Day band concert has taken place on its stage along with Thursday evening concerts during the summer months.
The bandstand had been initially built at the front of the Common but was moved to its present location in 1932. In 1981, the structure was repaired and painted with the foundation and supports replaced but the outer structure has remained as it was originally built in 1892.
In 2023 the bandstand underwent a beautiful reconstruction by the Cemetery and Parks Department, along with many community supporters. It has now been restored to its original glory. There are two plaques placed beside the steps to the Bandstand. One plaque commemorates the anniversary of the Bandstand and another plaque, erected in 2023 reads “ Band Stand Architectural & Engineering Services Donated By Robert H. Therrien In Memory Of The Therrien Family Robert A, Elsie, & Michael 2023”.
2025 Summer Band Concerts – Concerts On The Common – Thursday evenings 7:30-9:30
Be a part of Townsend’s history, bring along your family and friends, and enjoy a summer evening listening to the tunes of the Townsend Memorial Band, the third oldest continuously playing band in the country. Bring along your chairs and blankets, and have a picnic… and don’t forget the bug spray. The Ice Cream Factory is now open too.
Come along to the Thursday night Band Concerts from 7:30-9:30, weather permitting, and pass along this special tradition to the next generation of Townsendites.
This summer Mr. Souza plans to feature well-known show tunes, marches, patriotic music and children’s music.
Music begins at 7:30 and concludes at 9:30 Lawn Parties, hosted by local organizations, often have a bit earlier start time, food for purchase and often children’s activities.
- June 5th – Opening Concert, Hosted by Townsend Fire/EMS. Hot Dogs & Burgers are available for purchase.
- June 12th – Hosted by the Congregational Church. Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Steamed Hot Dogs and Children’s Games.
- June 19th – Hosted by the Friends of the Townsend Public Library. Burgers and baked goods.
- June 26th – Hosted by the VFW.
July and August Schedule – check out the webpage townsendma.gov for the schedule for July and August – dependent on successful Town Budget / Town Meeting funding. Don’t let this long tradition end!!!
