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Coast Guard Band to Perform Bernstein and More in Clinton

The United States Coast Guard Band plays some of the world’s most important stages, from Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City to the Kennedy Center and the White House in Washington, D.C., as well as the occasional international tour. Still, Band Director Lieutenant Commander Adam Williamson says the band’s annual stop in Clinton is a favorite.

“The community support is really strong, there is a palpable excitement,” Williamson said.

The free concert, organized each year by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, comes to The Morgan School auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12.

The concert will draw heavily from the works of Leonard Bernstein, the composer who scored movies such as West Side Story and On the Waterfront. Williamson said he has been coming to Clinton for concerts for about 15 years.

The band has been coming to Clinton for concerts for close to three decades, and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ken Hartley said the concert is always a big draw in the community.

“People called looking for tickets a month before we had them,” Hartley said.

The chamber is the sponsoring organization for the concert along with Shore TV & Appliances. Hartley said the chamber is responsible for coordinating the concert and the publicity for the show.

“A lot of people enjoy it, it’s a benefit for the town,” Hartley said.

The Morgan School music teacher Ray Smith will help pull off the show. Since he knows the facility so well, he makes sure the building and stage are prepared, as well as coordinating any equipment that needs to be borrowed by the band.

“I’m like a site supervisor,” Smith said.

Smith called the band a “well oiled machine” for how well everything runs.

Smith has followed and enjoyed the band’s performances for years, as one of his teachers in college was a percussionist in the band.

“These are very high caliber musicians,” Smith said.

Smith said he encourages people in town to come, especially if they haven’t made it to the auditorium at The Morgan School yet.

“It’s a very nice auditorium with a great view and sound,” said Smith.

The United States Coast Guard Band was founded in 1925 and is one of five congressional bands. While the other bands are mostly located near Washington D.C., the Coast Guard Band is located in New London, meaning world class musicians are just a short trip on the highway for residents of Clinton. The band is composed of 55 professional musicians.

“We’d love to see a lot of people come out,” Williamson said.

United States Coast Guard Band at The Morgan SchoolThe United States Coast Guard Band returns to The Morgan School auditorium, 71 Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12. Tickets for this free even sponsored by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Shore TV & Appliances can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce at 50 East Main Street, or by calling the chamber at 860-669-3889.