ORONO – The Maine Center for the Arts featured local young musicians flexing their musical muscles this spring to raise funds for the Acadia Hospital youth services at the ninth annual 3 Bands Concert. Proceeds amounted to approximately $18,000 in cash and in-kind donations.

The evening began with the Brewer Middle School Band under the direction of Lanissa Nadeau, followed by the Bucksport High School Band directed by Mark Neslusan. The final group to perform was the University of Maine Concert Band, led by Christopher White. The evening’s finale featured the three bands playing a march, which delighted the audience of about 600.

“The 3 Bands Concert continues to improve year after year,” said Dottie Hill, Acadia CEO. “It has become a tradition and an event that is recognized for its excellence and community spirit. I am so pleased that the University of Maine supports the evening and that we have such wonderful young musicians to entertain the audience.”

Guest conductor David Shaffer, a nationally known composer and conductor, conducted a piece of his own music with each band. The University of Maine Cultural Affairs Department provided part of the funding to bring Shaffer to the event.

Local business sponsors were Affiliated Healthcare Systems, Bangor Daily News, WVII-TV ABC 7, WKIT-WZON-WDME, Bangor Savings Bank, Georgia-Pacific Corp., The Advertising Specialists, Bangor Letter Shop and Color Copy Center, Best Western Black Bear Inn, Brewer Automotive Components, Canteen Service Co., Creative Print Services, Dirigo Pines Retirement Community, Foster Imaging, Morgan Hill Performing Arts and Cultural Center, Oakhurst Dairy, H.E. Sargent Inc., Snowman Printing and University Inn.