Truly a Christmas concert for all ages and tastes, the Boothbay Region Community Band will perform at 3 p.m. at the annual Opera House event, “The Gingerbread Spectacular.”

The Spectacular happens on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14 at 10 a.m. Among the many featured talents for the weekend will be the Boothbay Region Alumni Community Band. 

This will be the first annual Christmas concert conducted by BRCB’s new director, singer, Boothbay Region High School band and music teacher, Mark Phillips from Pennsylvania and more recently Farmington.

This concert will also feature the bands newest member, retired officer First Sergeant Curt Boot of the 208th Army Reserve Band from Columbia, South Carolina. After an idyllic October wedding on Monhegan Island, Curt and his bride Tina John Boot (formerly of the Boothbay region) have permanently moved to the region.

Boot has been an Army band, trumpet and cornet player for 39 years. He’s played the trumpet for 48 years in total and said he looks forward to many more here in Maine. 

Curt Boot will join the Community Band for one of Boothbay region's treasured events, The Gingerbread Spectacular on Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. You won’t want to miss a chance to meet local artisans, view their Spectacular Gingerbread creations all while listening to musical compositions such as, "Canadian Brass Christmas Suite" (a medley based on Canadian brass arrangements), "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (arranged by Carl Strommen), "Frosty’s Caribbean Holiday" (words and music by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins), among many other old favorites such as "Danny Boy," (arranged by Warren Barker), "Ashokan Farewell" (by Jay Ungar), "Moondance" (words and music by Van Morrison) and "The Magnificent Seven" (by Elmer Bernstein).  

After you have visually feasted on the many gingerbread creations, grab a home baked treat, have a seat, and listen to BRCB’s holiday musical offering and help to reign in the 2014 Christmas spirit for yourself. For all you Polar Express riders imaginary and real, bring your bells with you to help us keep Santa’s beat.