Concerts by the Bay has been hosting free live summer band concerts in Perth Amboy for over 60 years. The 2024 schedule has been announced and there will be five Sunday concerts this summer, starting on July 7th, then July 14th, 21st, 28th and August 4th at 3:00 PM in Bayview Park. Concerts by the Bay features the Garden State Symphonic Band, a musical ensemble modeled after the Sousa Band of the early 20th Century who maintain the American tradition of the professional concert band with conductor Todd Nichols, Assistant Conductor Ginny Johnston, and Vocalist Rick Bossman. Concerts are 2 hours with an intermission.
Playlist for the kickoff concert features patriotic music with a first set that includes Fairest of Fair by John Philip Sousa, American Folk Rhapsody No 2 by Clare Grundman, Music Man by Meredith Willson, Finlandia by Jean Sibelius, His Honor by Henry Fillmore, You’re a Grand Old Flag by George Cohan, 1776 by Sherman Edwards, Pavanne by Morton Gould, Songs for American by Irving Berlin, and American the Beautiful by Arr Carmen Dragon.
The second set includes Midway March by John Williams, Star Spangled Spectacular by George Cohan, Suite of Old American Dances by Robert Russell Bennett, Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa, Battle Hyme of the Republic by Arr Lee Greenwood, Sol Y Sombra by George Gates, American Patrol by Frank White Meacham, Windjammer by Robert Buckley, Alexanders Ragtime Band by Irving Berlin, This is My Country by Al Jacbos/Arr Paul Nagle. and Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.
In case of inclement weather, Concerts by the Bay will be held at the Alexander Jankowski Community Center at 1 Olive Street. Visit the new website: concertsbythebaynj.org with more information. Parking can be found for free at the Perth Amboy Marina and street parking is available. Enjoy restaurants, bars and ice cream on the waterfront.