Concert series to benefit local nonprofits
May 29, 2026
By staff
The band combines traditional contra dance and fiddle music with unexpected tunes. Photo courtesy of The BAMU Band.
STONINGTON—BAMU, a multi-instrumental traditional fiddle band who play at contra dances, are regulars on the peninsula circuit. The string band consists of Geoff Warner, Tim Garrity, Sam Robbins, Mike Marion, Robert McCormick and Basha Wyeth. They are often joined by guest musicians.
This summer, the band will be part of the Burnt Cove Church Benefit Series, which will take place on the first Thursday each month from June through September. All concerts will start at 7 p.m.
The band members bring an eclectic mix of backgrounds to their performances.
Warner, who is the founder of Owl Furniture in Stonington has been playing fiddle in various bands and dances for decades. He is also a singer-songwriter and has a flare for adding harmonies and improvisation on fiddle and guitar.
Wyeth is a retired family and women’s health nurse practitioner from Brooklin. She plays piano and is a singer-songwriter and started with the ensemble in 2023.
Garrity, a guitarist from Blue Hill, joined the ensemble at its inception at Bagaduce Music. He has had a varied career in hospital administration and for nonprofits in Bar Harbor.
Robbins lives in Stonington, plays banjo, mandolin and concertina. He also organizes contra dances on Isle Au Haut. He is an avid historian of traditional fiddle music from the area.
Marion lives on Mount Desert Island and worked for Acadia National Park. He has played in various bands over the years for dances. He plays banjo, mandolin, concertina and whistle. McCormick is a recent addition to the group and plays the bodhran drum. He is a retired athletic coach and teacher in the Blue Hill school system.
Each performance in the Burnt Cove Church Benefit Series benefits a different nonprofit each month. This month’s lineup includes:
The June 4 concert benefits Island Angels and features Amy Love and Tim Seeley
The July 2 concert benefits Healthy Island Project and will be a contra dance, with calling by Molly Gawler.
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