The March meeting of the Benson Park Advisory Committee saw members plan for several events as the weather continues to warm with the start of spring, including a possible concert following a proposal from Hudson resident Michael Seckla.
“I’m the Band Director at Hudson Memorial School, and I’m also a member of a band called the Yankee Brass. I’ve been talking a little bit about a concert for our middle school groups in June. We have, for years, been doing performance at H.O. Smith and the Senior Center. It’s kind of an end-of-the-year thing for some of our school groups,” said Seckla.
Seckla added, “With the anniversary of Benson Park, it was mentioned that there could be the possibility of having some students perform. We typically have our kids eat lunch in the park on days we perform anyways.”
According to Selectman Liaison Heidi Jakoby, initial concerts with the school have already been approved.
He floated Tuesday, June 9, as a potential date sometime in the afternoon for the performance. Seckla also outlines the role of Yankee Brass.
“Our mission is preserving the heritage of the United States of America. In particular, we perform 19th Century concern on 19th century antique instruments. We perform as authentic arrangements as we can get,” he explained. “We have membership from all over the country, mostly on the eastern half, and we come together for a week every summer in a different part of the Northeast.”
The Yankee Brass was scheduled to be in New Hampshire in 2026, possibly in Benson Park.
“With the 250th Anniversary of the country and the 100th Anniversary of Benson, it just seems like a great confluence to maybe host a concert here,” said Seckla. “What we’ll do at least once or twice in a tour is the history of manufacturing or some of the instruments. Bring some of the older stuff.”
There were a few questions about the details of a possible concert.
“You previously said you’d be talking to the Historical Society as well. Have you spoken with them too?” asked Committee member Sue Clement. “I think it sounds great.”
Seckla indicated that the Historical Society also expressed interest in a concert, adding that Yankee Brass probably would not do two concerts in Hudson, raising the possibility of a separate presentation for the Historical Society and their concert at Benson Park.
The exact date for the events remained undetermined, although it seemed likely the concert would happen on a Thursday or Friday.
“I know you talked about there was a fee that was required, is that correct?” asked Clement.
Seckla that the band had a $1,200 fee for performances.
“As a nonprofit, none of that goes to the performers, all of that goes to the association for the preservation of the instruments and the music,” he said. “It’s basically what we usually asked for.”
Alternate Harry Schibanoff noted that the Benson Park Committee did not have $1,200 to spare in their limited budget.
“If this is to go forward, then it’s up to this committee to make a recommendation and brainstorm where that money might come from,” said Jakoby.
Friends of Benson Park Chair Natalie Newell stated that a concert from the Yankee Brass would be “a fantastic add to our calendar.” She proposed a sponsorship program to raise the money.
“I would really love to say that’s something we want to work with you on,” said Newell.
She promised to ask the Friends board if they were interested in funding the event.
“I think it’s a cleaner transition to do it through the Friends than through this committee,” said Schibanoff.
Seckla promised to stay in touch with the Friends and the Advisory Committee in the coming weeks.
The next Benson Park Advisory Committee meeting is set for Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in the Hudson Cable Access Center.