HISTORY AND MUSIC COME TOGETHER AT MOUNT INDEPENDENCE

Orwell, Vt.—This July the Mt. Independence Coalition presents the Seventh Summer Music Series, Music on the Mount, at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vermont. Two concerts will take place on the site’s museum lawn--on Friday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public (the hat will be passed), with a $5.00 parking fee.

The first concert (Friday, July 14) features the Seth Warner Mount Independence Fife and Drum Corps under the direction of Rustan Swenson. Enjoy the stirring music of the American Revolution and colonial period. Swenson will provide lively commentary about the music and its uses, both military and civilian. This group, consisting of young and young at heart area musicians, has been much in demand for parades and programs since its founding several years ago. Each year it leads the parade at the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge.

The second concert (Saturday, July 19^th) features the music of the Brass Connection, a professional brass quintet formed in 2000. They appeal to a wide audience, playing a pops style family concert. Selections range from light classics, Dixieland, swing, Broadway show tunes, to Tijuana Brass, and patriotic selections. The group has performed over 200 concerts around New England and its members have played with such groups as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, Ringling Brothers’ Barnum and Bailey Circus. This concert is part of the annual Soldiers Atop the Mount living history weekend (July 19 and 20).

Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and a picnic!

Mount Independence, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1776-77 by American troops as a defense against British attack from Canada. The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. The extensive grounds feature six miles of walking and hiking trails. The site is on Mount Independence Road six miles west of the junction of Vermont Route 22A and Route 73 in Orwell. It is a scenic 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Burlington, 20 minutes from Middlebury, and about half an hour from Rutland. Call 802-948-2000 for more information.