“Clarinet Chromatics” Entertain Residents and Vacationers at Jordan Hall Performance in Ocean Park

‍Historic Jordan Hall in Ocean Park played host to an August 26 performance by “Clarinet Chromatics” – the Maine Pops Concert Band’s clarinet ensemble – as part of the Ocean Park Association’s Wednesday evening summer music performance series. The hour-long performance was the first public performance of the clarinet ensemble since the Maine Pops’ small ensemble concert in Saco on April 12. 

With around 30 people in attendance, the “Clarinet Chromatics” closed out the town’s summer concert series with a variety of ensemble works arranged for Bb clarinet, Eb alto clarinet, and Bb bass clarinet.  The music ranged from show tunes, classical works, hymns, traditional folk tunes, and movie/theater themes.

B.C. Jordan Memorial Hall is one of three music venues that host Ocean Park concerts each summer.  Along with The Temple and Ocean Park Memorial Bandstand, Jordan Hall provides a venue for a variety of musical events to entertain not only village residents, but also many vacationing beach goers staying in town. The hall was dedicated in 1915 and hosts concerts, town meetings, and theatrical presentations.  

“Clarinet Chromatics” members who performed in Ocean Park were Ann Colomy (soprano clarinet), Alie Teitz (soprano clarinet), Kat Snyder (soprano clarinet), Kathye Martin (soprano clarinet), Chris Elbader (soprano and bass clarinet), Rick Rau (alto clarinet) and Bob Swerdlow (bass clarinet).  Together, ensemble performed the following music:

Star-Spangled Banner – Francis Scott Key

Blue Skies – Irving Berlin

Cantina Band– John Williams (arr. Johnnie Vinson)

I Love the Woman - Ionel Fernic (arr. Ioan Dobinescu)

Swipesy Cake Walk – Scott Joplin and Arthur Marshall (arr. M. King)

Three Blind Mice – John Mills and Alan Bates

Six Studies in English Folksong #2 – Robert Vaughan Williams

A Hymn for Aviators – Charles H.H. Parry (arr. Gary Tuesdail)

Joshua Fit the Battle – traditional

Game of Thrones – Ramin Djawadi (arr. Kris Van Aerschot)

Turkey in the Straw – American traditional (arr. Jamie Jones)

Happy Together (The Turtles) – Alan Gordon

Successful 2026 Summer Season for the Maine Pops

With the “Clarinet Chromatic’s” performance on August 26, six of the 10 Maine Pops Concert Band small ensembles will have entertained at venues in Southern Maine this summer. These groups also include the Harbor Brass Quintet, the Beach Street Big Band, the Down East Jazz Combo, the Polished Brass ensemble, and “Uniquehorns” – the concert band’s French horn ensemble.  When you combine these concerts with seven summer performances by the full concert band, it proved to be a successful summer season.

And with fall just around the corner, the Maine Pops is looking forward to kicking off rehearsals on September 9 to prepare for annual fall concert, slated for November 8. Small ensembles will resume rehearsals at various venues as well and will be looking to continue its outreach to schools, senior centers and other fall events as the band begins another fall season.

For more information about the Maine Pops Concert Band and its upcoming season, visit our web site at www.mainepops.org or visit our Facebook site. 

The Maine Pops Concert Band is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt educational non-profit organization, with a mission to build community through music.