Salem Quaker City Band to Honor John Williams with Free Tribute Concert

The Salem Quaker City Band will perform a tribute to composer John Williams on Friday, July 21 at 7 p.m. in Waterworth Memorial Park. The concert is free and will feature selections from Williams’ scores for films such as Star Wars, Home Alone, Harry Potter, Hook and E.T.. Local food vendors will serve American classics and desserts.

John Williams, born February 8, 1932, is one of the most prolific film composers of the past seven decades. He has written music for more than 200 movies, including the iconic themes for Star Wars, Jaws, E.T. and the first three Harry Potter films. His work has earned him 27 Grammy Awards, five Academy Awards and numerous other honors, and his scores are frequently cited as some of the most recognizable in cinema history.

The Salem Quaker City Band, directed by Robert Barnett, has been a staple of the city’s summer concert series for several years. The band’s program for this evening will focus exclusively on Williams’ film music, with arrangements that highlight his blend of romanticism, impressionism and complex orchestration. The event is part of the city’s “Best Free Entertainment in Salem” series, which has attracted thousands of residents to the park’s open‑air stages.

Waterworth Memorial Park will host the concert at its Nature Trail entrance. Parking is available at the park’s Sunset Boulevard and Superior Avenue entrances, with limited handicap‑accessible spaces. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, as seating is informal. Admission is free; however, tickets will be sold for 50/50 drawings that offer prizes donated by local businesses and friends of the concert series.

Food and dessert vendors will be on site. Smokey’s Patty Wagon will provide American classics, while the Totally 80’s Ice Ice Cream Shoppe will serve desserts. The vendors have previously supplied food for other community events in Salem, and their participation is expected to draw additional crowds.

For more information, residents can call the Salem Parks and Recreation Department at 330‑271‑8913. The department will confirm parking details, vendor locations, and any last‑minute changes to the program. The concert is scheduled to begin promptly at 7 p.m., and the band will perform a total of approximately 45 minutes of music.

The event is a community celebration of Williams’ influence on film music and a showcase of local talent. It also provides an opportunity for residents to experience a live performance of some of the most celebrated movie themes without a ticket fee. The combination of free admission, local food vendors, and community‑sponsored drawings makes the concert accessible to a broad audience.

The Salem Quaker City Band’s tribute to John Williams is the latest addition to the city’s summer cultural calendar. The concert is expected to attract families, music lovers, and fans of the composer’s work. The event will conclude with a brief announcement of the 50/50 drawing winners, followed by a closing statement from the band’s director.

The concert will run through the evening, after which attendees may remain in the park for a casual gathering. The Salem Parks and Recreation Department encourages all participants to observe park rules and to leave the area clean. The event is part of the city’s ongoing effort to promote arts and culture in a public setting.

In summary, the Salem Quaker City Band will perform a free tribute to John Williams on Friday, July 21 at Waterworth Memorial Park. The concert will feature music from his most famous film scores, be accompanied by local food vendors, and include 50/50 drawings with donated prizes. Residents can contact the Parks and Recreation Department for details and are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for an evening of community music.