Music by the Sea 2017

This free  community event attracts more than a thousand people to Camden Harbor Park and Ampheatre for an afternoon and evening of excellent concerts performed by 4 different ensembles.

THE BANDS

2:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Steelin’ Thunder, a steel drum band from Rockland under the direction of Mike Miller, will perform rousing selections with a Caribbean flair ideal for dancing or just good ole lazy August afternoon listening. The band plays many genres of music, including calypso, swing, rock, and jazz. Formed in 2001, Steelin’ Thunder, whose 17 members represent eight different towns from Waldoboro to Belfast, puts on one of mid-coast Maine’s all-time favorite summertime experiences. This nonprofit organization uses its earnings to fund college scholarships for local high school students.

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM: The 70-member Casco Bay Wind Symphony wows audiences with Sousa, Broadway, and Big Band music. More than a third of the symphony’s members are music educators and professional musicians. For the rest, music is a favorite avocation. The group’s mission, in addition to providing outstanding entertainment, is to demonstrate that the music and other arts are enjoyable, lifelong pursuits.

5:00 PM – 6:15 PM: MoJO (Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra) plays everything from traditional big band tunes to Latin, funk and blues. This 18-piece band, led by Craig Ouellette, performs throughout the Midcoast and devotes much of its time to providing educational and experiential opportunities for music students. Band members are fans of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and other greats.

7:45 PM – 9:00 PM: The Lowdown.  When musicians cross paths and collaborate, amazing things can happen. Singer-songwriter David Dodson initiated this very thing when his friends, the singer-songwriter duo of John and Rachel Nicholas, moved to Midcoast Maine in 2012. With the inclusion of Mike Nickerson on bass, they combined their strengths and formed a band that allows them to present their music with more power and texture than they could on their own. This is American folk and roots music with great harmonies and tasteful arrangements delivered with passion and a sense of joy. 

FIREWORKS WILL FOLLOW AT 9:00 pm.

Although admission to the concerts is free,  funds are raised for our grants program by soliciting sponsorships from local businesses and individuals, whose names are published in the concert program. We also publish an advertisement in the local paper to thank all of our contributors.

We are dedicating this year's concert to the memory of Parker S. Laite, Sr., a longtime member of our club. Parker was honored in 1994 as Rockport-Camden-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce’s Townsperson of the Year. In 2007, Camden’s Annual Town Report was dedicated to him for his service to the community.

Camden Rotarians have  donated generously to Music by the Sea 2017 and invite you or your business to join them with your sponsorship at one of the following levels:

Community Benefactor                               $2,500 or more

Community Sponsor, Platinum                   $1,000 — $2,499

Community Sponsor, Gold                            $500 — $999

Community Sponsor, Silver                          $250 — $499

Community Sponsor, Bronze                        $100 — $249

Community Sponsor, Friend                         Up to $99

Donation checks can be sent to

Camden Rotary Foundation

PO Box 602

Camden, ME 04843