Music Lovers Gather for Free Outdoor Concert at the WREC

More than 200 Warminster residents of every age gathered outside the WREC center Wednesday to enjoy an evening of free music provided by the Warminster Symphony Orchestra. It was the first of five outdoor concerts organized by the Warminster Parks and Recreation Department for the next five weeks.

"We try and select a wide variety of family-oriented music," said Chelsea Decker, recreation assistant for the Parks and Rec Department and organizer of the summer music series for the past five years. "We start planning in February and start receiving lots of press packs and CDs from local musicians."

Decker filled out the rest of the schedule with the Barley Boys, an Irish music band (July 6), Melissa Martin & the Mighty Rhythm Kings, a swing and blues band (July 13), Cool Beans Music, a children's music celebration (July 20) and the Bucks County Country Gentlemen, a barbershop chorus (July 27). Funding for the concerts was provided through a grant from program sponsor TD Bank.

Harry and Joanne Van Houten have enjoyed the summer concerts for more than 10 years, making the short trip from their nearby home to take in the live music. 

"We could hear it from our backyard," said Joanne, "but we like to bring our grandson and take in the music. It's a great way to expose children to different kinds of music."

Wednesday's program included a selection of film soundtrack favorites, such as the themes from Rocky and A Summer Place and big band classics, including"The Washington Post March" and "Sweet Georgia Brown."

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