Traditionally held four weekends in July, Music on the Hill is a unique summer event here in the Lakes Region of southern Maine. Originating in 1998 with the Missions and Social Concerns Board of the Windham Hill United Church of Christ, Music on the Hill has continued to evolve these past seven years, and is now in its eighth season.

According to the 1998 church annual report, “proceeds from Music on the Hill were designated for the building restoration project, church outreach programs, awareness education and the start of a church piano fund. An initial amount of money was set aside for the creation of a fund to purchase a piano for the church. The piano is to be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Betty Atterbury.”

Although the series’ original premise was to be a fundraising venture, Music on the Hill also has provided – since its inception – quality and reasonably priced entertainment without traveling to the cities of New England.

Laying the foundation for the original Music on the Hill committee were Terri Moore, Ellen Ridley, and George Hillman, who also were members of the 1997 Missions Board of Windham Hill UCC. The concept of a concert series came from that very church board. It was they who proposed this new venture to the church-at-large, giving birth to the Music on the Hill committee. Moore has chaired the committee for most of her tenure – and continues as the mainstay, as new members have come and gone. Other longstanding members include Bob and Betty McLeod, and JoAnn Jarvis.

Regarding the performers and music styles, Music on the Hill offers everything from Classical and Gospel to Dixieland, Broadway tunes, musical comedy, big band/swing, blues, jazz, country, Irish ballads and children’s songs. Soloists, duets, quintets, quartets use pianos, trumpets, guitars, banjos, violins and other instruments to fulfill the series’ mission to provide “a little something for everyone.”

A portion of the proceeds of each concert series goes to help restore and improve the historic and aging Windham Hill UCC buildings. A portion also helps the church continue to support such local missions as Monday Meal, the Windham Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity. Monday Meal also originated with the Windham Hill UCC Mission and Social Concerns Board, and has continued to grow, through the larger community’s support.

During this eighth season of Music on the Hill, Windham Hill is so pleased to welcome back three veterans of the series: the incomparable Rick Charette; the rich a cappella harmonies of Referendum; and the ever-popular and talented singers who perform our Night of Broadway. New to the concert series this year is a versatile jazz trio. Big Ben Hillman and the Jazz/Soul Trio hails from Massachusetts, though Hillman himself has family roots here in Maine.

July 9

Rick Charette is very well-known – here in Maine, and around the country – for writing and performing music that not only entertains children, but is used as a teaching tool for them. An Evening With Rick Charette, which was broadcast on NBC-TV New England affiliates, won the National IRIS Award for programming excellence. Rick has released ten albums, two children’s books, and two live concert videos. King Kong Chair is his 10th album of original songs, and will be available for sale at the Music on the Hill concert on July 9th. Roy Clark will accompany Rick – and “Al the Alligator” will make an appearance as well!

July 16

Referendum started performing as an a cappella quintet in 1998, in protest of the anti-gay referendum that reversed equal rights legislation in the state of Maine. This quintet performed at the 2004 Music on the Hill – to rave revues! – and just released their first album, Referendum a cappella, in April, 2005.

This album will be for sale at their 2005 Music on the Hill concert, on July 16th. One of their original members, Martin Lescault, has moved out-of-state; but Referendum will continue to perform as a quartet for now. The gifted vocalists of Referendum are Peter Allen, Catherine Eliot, Shirsten Lundblad, and Barbara Beckelman.

July 23

Big Ben Hillman and the Jazz/Soul Trio debuts at M.O.T.H. on July 23rd. With Hillman on keyboard, Ben Alman on electric bass, and Tony Hall on drums, this trio electrifies with a fusion of jazz and soul standards – with some R&B, Latin and Funk mixed in. Hillman graduated from U. Mass. at Lowell in 1998, with a Bachelors degree in Music Performance and Composition.

He has made a name for himself in the Boston area music scene – recording on several albums – and has performed at a number of venues throughout the U.S. and Canada. Alman also is a versatile musican, composer and producer. He met Hillman at the university, and they began collaborating on the trio in the late-90’s. Tony Hall is an accomplished percussionist, and prolific composer, well-known on the Boston circuit, also.

July 29

A Night of Broadway is a delightful two evenings – July 29th and 30th – of your favorite Broadway tunes! The four vocalists this year – Kelly Caufield, Bryan McLeod, Matthew Small, and Daniel Strange – were the original performers at Night of Broadway’s debut in 2001. This year marks the fifth consecutive year that Windham singer Bryan McLeod and musician/singer Daniel Strange have been part of A Night of Broadway – and the fourth summer Strange has produced/directed the show. This multi-talented group of singers – along with the accompaniment of Windham H.S. music director Betty McIntyre – brings Broadway to you!

A time of refreshments and a chance to talk to the performers follows each concert.

Ticket prices are as follows: Adults, $10; Seniors (65 and over) and Students (12 and under), $8; Series Tickets, $35. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Little Sebago Gallery & Frame, 889 Roosevelt Trail, Windham (892-8086) – or may be purchased at the door the evening of each concert. For more information, call 893-1777.