Aerial view of the Summit House where the Summer Concert Series takes place.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
SOUTH HADLEY — The Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range, a nonprofit environmental conservation organization founded in 1982, began the Summit House Sunset Concert Series in 1987, which is hosted in Skinner State Park’s historic Summit House. This year marks the series’ 37th year.
The concert series will return on Thursday, July 11 with the Arcadian Viols followed by a different band each Thursday until Aug. 8.
The other performers will be SPF-4, Ardaigh, Hot Club of New England and Zikina.
They offer advance tickets with the help of their partner, Kestrel Trust, and are available through their website: friendsofmhr.org.
Friends of Mount Holyoke Range Concert Series Organizer Dave Meuser said it is best to order tickets ahead of time.
He added, “We’re limited to just 110 indoor seats per concert, and any remaining tickets will be available at the park entrance day of show at 6 p.m., cash only. Once all indoor seating has been sold, we also make available at the gate 60 ‘Porch Tickets’ on the day of the show, weather permitting.”
Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate.
For those looking to attend, Meuser said hosting a concert series on the top of a mountain presents “its own logistical challenges” because parking is extremely limited at the top, they ask all attendees to please carpool as much as possible.
He also recommends arriving early, especially if you plan to bring a picnic supper. Picnic throughout the park grounds as well as on the Summit House porch is permitted. Neither food nor beverages will be available for sale, but the Summit House has a water fountain, and is fully wheelchair accessible from the highest parking area.
The gate opens at 6 p.m. and the line of cars to enter is usually well formed by 5:45 p.m. The concerts begin promptly at 7:30 p.m.
Meuser said the popularity of the concerts have grown over the past decade, and the indoor seating nearly always sells out.
He also talked about the enjoyment of being able to help organize this concert series.
Meuser said, “I’ve long felt that The Summit House is a building like no other in New England, a witness to both American and global history since it was first built in 1851. So, we’ve sought to offer a wide range of musical genres, wherever possible representing a diversity of time periods and geographies, and always featuring musicians who call our area home.”
Individuals can take part in small tours of the Summit House on available weekends, but the building spends most of the year empty of events or gatherings.
Meuser added, “These five Thursday evenings each summer are the only time the Summit House is still used for what it was meant to. When we’re all in it together, you can feel its history and legacy come alive.”
People who have attended the concerts said the acoustics of the Summit House are unmatched, according to Meuser, and he credits it to the aged wood and original timbers of this 173-year-old structure which provides a warmth and resonance that is truly unique.
He added, “Perched alone at its 935-foot elevation, the only competing sounds are the wind in the trees, the birds among them, and the occasional soaring airplane, and, of course, there is the sunset intermission, looking straight to the distant horizon in the Berkshires, a feature of every concert, weather permitting.”
Meuser recommends people get to experience at least one of the shows and credits the staff, atmosphere and performers for making each week an ideal night out.
“Our friendly audiences and all-volunteer staff are always first rate. Embracing nature and cultural history in one evening makes for a memorable experience which all continually express the greatest appreciation for. At every concert, I always feel like this is how I want my life in New England to be. How truly special each of these five evenings per year are,” Meuser said.
