MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Federation of Musicians Local 159 has announced its 2026 “Music in the Parks” series, featuring 19 free concerts across north-central Ohio throughout the summer.
The concert series will showcase a wide variety of musical performances, including a 70-member concert band, an 18-member big jazz band, a traditional country band, a brass quintet, and several ensembles performing jazz and rock music.
In recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary, many of this year’s programs will include patriotic selections.
Concerts are scheduled in Mansfield, Shelby, Crestline, Lexington and Norwalk.
The 2026 season also coincides with a milestone for the organization, as Mansfield Federation of Musicians Local 159 celebrates its 125th anniversary.
Local 159’s membership includes professional musicians, educators, business professionals and students from Mansfield and surrounding communities, including Ashland, Wooster, Galion, Bellville, Lexington, Norwalk, Huron and Columbus.
Funding for the free concert series is provided through a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund and the American Federation of Musicians, along with donations from local supporters. Sponsors will be recognized during each concert.
Additional information about the “Music in the Parks” series is available at www.afmlocal159.com and on the organization’s Facebook page.
The complete summer concert schedule follows:
Mansfield Art Center — Shows at 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 18 STEVE BROWN & FRIENDS
Thursday, June 25 AFM 159 CONCERT BAND
Thursday, July 2 ABSTRACTION
Thursday, July 9 DAVID BERRY BAND
Thursday, July 16 AFM 159 BIG JAZZ BAND
Thursday, July 23 SUBURBAN BRASS
Thursday, July 30 REDEMPTION JASS BAND
Thursday, August 6 STARDUST BAND
Thursday, August 13 PERCY HALL BAND
Shelby Black Form Commons — Shows at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 17 DAVID BERRY BAND
Wednesday, June 24 ABSTRACTION
Wednesday, July 1 AFM 159 CONCERT BAND
Wednesday, July 8 AFM 159 BIG JAZZ BAND
Wednesday, July 15 STEVE BROWN & FRIENDS
Wednesday, July 22 SUBURBAN BRASS
Wednesday, July 29 REDEMPTION JASS BAND
Wednesday, August 5 STARDUST BAND
Crestline: Ralph Thauvette Memorial Concert Series – 6:30pm
Thursday, June 11 AFM 159 BIG JAZZ BAND (Crestline HS)
Thursday, July 9 AFM 159 CONCERT BAND (Crestline HS)
Thursday, Aug 27 ABSTRACTIONS (Checkers Pizza and Pints)
Lexington (downtown across from the Village Hall) – 6:30 p.m.
Thurs, July 2 AFM 159 CONCERT BAND
Norwalk Recreation Center — 6:30 p.m.
Wed, June 24 AFM 159 CONCERT BAND
About the bands:
AFM Local 159 Concert Band — The 60 + member Concert Band, under the direction of Michael Grady, performs traditional marches, overtures, show tunes, light classics and Patriotic selections. Members of the band include professional musicians, educators, businessmen and women and students from the surrounding area.
AFM Local 159 Big Jazz Band — Under the direction of Shelby resident Paul Martin, the 17 piece Big Jazz Band performs the music of Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Glenn Miller and many others. The group also features original compositions and arrangements by Paul Martin and other members of the band.
Steve Brown & Friends — Led by local educator and keyboard player/vocalist Steve Brown, this 5- piece band will perform jazz standards, 50’s rock and roll and mellow classic rock of the 60’s and 70’s.
Abstractions – Led by Shelby resident McCray Martin, the band showcases his original compositions as well as other different genres of music including jazz, jazz fusion, soul, funk, disco, and progressive rock.
David Berry Band — David Berry is a young guitar player and singer from Ashland who normally performs traditional country music as a solo artist. For this concert he will be joined by four other musicians. If you like the music of Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, you will love this group.
Suburban Brass — Led by Ken Holzworth, this is a brass quintet plus one and includes two trumpets, French Horn, trombone, tuba and percussion. They will play light classical and instrumental pop. All are current or former members of the Mansfield Symphony.
Redemption Jass Band – Led by trombonist Damian Boyd, this 5-piece group Dixieland band will delight the audience with the music of New Orleans.
Stardust Band —Also led by Paul Martin, Stardust performs jazz standards from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. This self-described “mini-big Big Band” consists of three trombones, two saxes and rhythm section.
Percy Hall Band — We welcome back to Mansfield the Percy Hall Dance Orchestra. Since the passing of the legendary Percy Hall several years ago, his son, John Hall from Columbus, is now leading this band. This 7-piece group performs tunes from the 30’s-50’s and feature all of Percy’s original arrangements.