Musicians Needed for Children's Circus

The Children’s Circus of Middletown, run by as part of the Middletown Commission on the Arts’ Kids Arts program, is, once again, looking for musicians to play in its circus band. The band is open to all adult and teenage musicians willing to make the commitment to rehearsals and the performance on Aug. 3 at 5 p.m. The Circus Band director is well-known local musician, Dirck Westervelt.

Percussion, horns, woodwinds, strings (electric or acoustic) are all needed. There will be an organizational meeting and jam session on Thursday, June 21 from 6-9 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street, Middletown, but it is not necessary to attend this meeting in order to participate. Rehearsals will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 pm, beginning July 10. 

Although attendance at all rehearsals is not compulsory, band members are expected to have consistent attendance and must be available for the dress rehearsal Aug. 2 and the performance at Macdonough School in Middletown on Aug. 3.  Professional or highly experienced musicians are often able to “sit in” by coming to a few rehearsals before the show.

This is the 24th annual Children’s Circus, a five-week program for Middletown youngsters ages 8 to 14. Nearly 200 young people learn such skills as juggling, stilt-walking, clowning, unicycling, acrobatics, and dance and present the results in a stupendous outdoor show, accompanied by live music by the circus band. The show annually attracts an audience of over 1,200.

To sign up for the circus band, please call Oddfellows Playhouse at (860) 347-6143 or contact Dirck Westervelt at (203) 577-7548 or dirckwestervelt@earthlink.net.

For more information, to register for classes or to purchase tickets to performances, call Oddfellows at (860) 347-6143 or log onto www.oddfellows.org. 

About Oddfellows Playhouse:

Oddfellows Playhouse is located at 128 Washington Street, Middletown.   For more than 35 years Oddfellows Playhouse has been more than just a performing arts program.  It aims to make a positive difference in the lives of 1,500 young people each year by using the arts as tools to build self-confidence, communication skills, a sense of responsibility, and an appreciation for the richness and diversity of the world in which we live.

Oddfellows’ programs are made possible by major support from CT State Department of Education, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Middlesex United Way, The Stare Fund, Pratt & Whitney, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, Middlesex County Community Foundation, Tower Labs and Daphne Sebolt Culpeper Foundation.   Media support provided by Comcast and WESU 88.1FM.