OXFORD – The first Oxford Community Band Summer Concert was held in LaFayette Park on July 6. Francis Wilcox, this summer’s band director, announced that the concert was being dedicated to Mr. Merritt A. Russell, who had recently passed away. This was very sad news to everyone who knew this fine and very talented man. The concert was a very fitting tribute as Mr. Russell had been an instrumental music teacher to hundreds of students at Oxford Academy for 27 years.

Justin Hubman, a Class of ‘07 Oxford Academy graduate, was guest conductor that evening as well.

For five more evening concerts, the group (of approximately twenty members, ranging in age from school students to senior citizens), will play moderate grade marches, show tunes, overtures and novelty selections for the enjoyment of the Oxford community. The Band performs Thursday evenings on the parks in Oxford. The remaining Thursday concert dates are: July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9. The July performances, held in LaFayette Park, are at 7:30 p.m. The last two concerts in August, one held at Washington Park (across from Bida Home) and the other at the Oxford Historical Society’s Depot-Museum, are both at 7 p.m.