Friends of Music

The Northeast Arkansas Caledonians, a bagpipe band from Jonesboro, Ark., will kick-off the Friends of Music's 2009-2010 with a concert at Jones Park. Photo provided

The Friends of Music Society of Kennett will kick-off its 30th season on Sunday, Sept. 13, with a performance by the Northeast Arkansas Caledonians (NEAC), a bagpipe band from Jonesboro, Ark.

The event will begin at 3:30 p.m., at the Jones Park Bandstand. Jones Park is located just north of Highway 412, between Kennett and South Jackson Streets.

According to Friends of Music Executive Director Jules Mercier, the event will last about 45 minutes and will offer music of bagpipes and drums, along with commentary on the music, the uniforms, and "piping in general."

The NEAC is an 8-member bagpipe group from Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri, Mercier said, with one of its members being Kennett resident Robert Gill.

The performance is admission free and open to the public, and attendees are reminded to bring lawn chairs, ground coverings, and refreshments to enjoy the performance.

"It should be a fun and enjoyable event for families and for all ages," Mercier said.

The NEAC have received more than 30 medals for their competitive performances, with more than 40 top five finishes.

NEAC has performed at several events since its inception, including the Walk of Hope 2007, Pipers Gathering 2007, Arkansas Scottish Festival 2008, Third Annual CelticFest, and Clanjamfry 2008 -- a Scottish festival. They have also performed for the U.S. Jaycees; the Paragould, Ark., Holiday Parade; and the Hoxie, Ark., Holiday Parade.

The NEAC also performed during the Friends of Music's 2008-2009 season, playing at the First Presbyterian Church on Feb. 8, 2009.

Aside from performing, the NEAC offers training lessons to any person who may be interested in learning to play the bagpipes and drums.

The NEAC encourages competition at the individual and band level, however, those who do not wish to compete may still join the parade band.

As the group says, "It's about fun, camaraderie, competition, and the music."

The Friends of Music Board of Directors include Jack Astrachan, Anita Blackmon, Mindy Brown, President Marilyn Caldwell, Glenda Deeter, Vice-president Mary Lynn Jones-Wright, Tom Kinsey, John T. McMullan, Executive Director Jules Mercier, Pamela Jones Mercier, Secretary-Treasurer Libby Mobley, Anne Moyer, Nancy Rogers, Bill Walsh, and Joyce Walsh.

For more information about Friends of Music, contact Jules Mercier at (573) 888-6396 or mercier@il.net.

To hear live performances from the NEAC, visit their Web site at www.neacaledonians.com.