Bandtoberfest, a Family-Friendly Celebration of Autumn, Returns to the Town Common Sept. 29

Source: Amherst Business Improvement District

The UMass Wind Ensemble, conducted by Matthew Westgate, and the UMass Symphony Band, conducted by Lindsay Bronnenkant, will perform on the Amherst Common on Sunday, September 27, ,as part of the sixth annual “Bandtoberfest” event sponsored by the Amherst Downtown Business Improvement District (BID).

Early in October, the family-friendly event brings hundreds of concertgoers to the Common to celebrate the arrival of fall. This year’s event will take place from 2 – 5 p.m. and will feature performances by the two ensembles of music from movie soundtracks (including Jurassic Park) and musicals, plus marches, polkas, and classic band works. The event is free and open to all.  

Beverages on sale will feature local beer, wine, and cider from Abandoned Building Brewery of Easthampton, Black Birch Vineyard of North Hatfield, and Carr’s Ciderhouse of Hadley. Audience members are also invited to bring a picnic either from home or from one of the local eateries and cafes, along with a blanket or chair.

“This annual event is something we look forward to kicking off the fall semester with,” commented Westgate, who also serves as chair of the UMass Amherst Department of Music & Dance. “We love partnering with the BID to bring the community together to celebrate great music and the most beautiful time of the year in Amherst. We hope people of all ages will come to the Common to enjoy our student performers and support local restaurants and this year’s vendors.”