NORTHAMPTON — The Bow Bow Bash, a high-energy benefit concert dedicated to raising funds for the J. Scott Brandon Music Scholarship, is returning on Saturday, May 24 at Iron Horse Music Hall.
This initiative fuels the musical dreams of local high school students, while featuring a lineup of Northampton High School’s most talented bands, ensembles and soloists. Some of this year’s acts include Mocktale, Glovebox, Madmen, Jazz Ensemble, Squirrel, Sol Y Mar, Black Lotus and Trust Fall.
The J. Scott Brandon Music Scholarship Fund was created to break down financial barriers and provide Northampton High School students with weekly music lessons through their choice of either local music school Downtown Sounds or Northampton Community Music School, as well as instrument supplies to help students hone their craft, and a supportive, inclusive music community where talent thrives, no matter a student’s financial background.
Northampton Arts Council Arts Events Producer Steve Sanderson is the founder behind the scholarship program and said it was named after his best friend and bandmate that was the bass player for the Drunk Stuntmen. Brandon’s nickname was “Bow Bow,” according to Sanderson.
“We met in the band room in Taunton High School in southeastern Massachusetts,” Sanderson said. “He was a music-first type of person. He was a local advocate of the arts council and of band, and the belief that if you teach a child or a student music, you give them incredible opportunities for the rest of their life.”
This is the fourth year of the Bow Bow Bash and Sanderson said the community’s support for this fundraiser is in the spirit of the valley.
“It’s twofold. It is adults who may have children or see the benefit in teaching music to children, and it’s the students and the kids that understand completely how important it is to have music taught in schools. It’s as important as science, math, English or history. If not more important,” Sanderson said.
Looking ahead to this year’s Bow Bow Bash, Sanderson added this concert serves as a look into the future talent crop of local musicians.
“Let me put it in baseball terms: you’re looking at the farm team of the Western Mass. music scene,” Sanderson said. “You’re looking at what’s coming out of Northampton High School for new ideas with music. I can’t think of anything more important, to be honest with you.”
Tickets are $18 for general admission and $6 for student tickets (student ID required), and can be found at northamptonartscouncil.org or at ironhorse.org.
First Night Northampton applications open
The Northampton Arts Council is now accepting performer applications for First Night Northampton 2026, the 41st annual New Year’s Eve celebration and festival of the performing arts.
Sanderson said any interested artists are encouraged to apply, as this celebration of the arts is welcoming to artists from all over the region.
“We love to represent the best of artistic Western Massachusetts,” Sanderson said. “What I really like to see is old tried and true amazing performers come back, and we always like to introduce the First Night crowd in Northampton to brand new performers, so I encourage everyone to apply at firstnightnorthampton.org.”
