The Amherst Town Band will be led by Jean Butler and Patricia McMullen while the group searches for a new director. Courtesy photo/Amherst Town Band

AMHERST – Jean Butler and Patricia McMullen are coming out of retirement to once again lead the Amherst Town Band as the group celebrates its 40th anniversary.

“We are excited to be back on the podium as the band celebrates its 40th anniversary,” McMullen said of her partnership with Butler.

Director Lisa Hansen will be stepping down as she is expecting her second child and expects to return to the group as a player at a later time.

Butler founded the group in 1986 and served as the director until she moved to Florida in 2002. She spent the next 23 years in the Sunshine State, where she founded and directed the Villages Concert Band and the Bands of The Villages in Florida.

Butler recently returned to New Hampshire to be closer to her family.

“Even though I was away for 23 years, this band has always been dear to my heart,” she said. “I feel honored to have the opportunity to direct the band this summer.”

McMullen joined the band in 1996 playing the French horn. She was also a music teacher at Souhegan High School at the time.

When Butler retired, McMullen took over as director and remained in that position until 2012.

Although she loved her time at the helm, McMullen said she missed playing an instrument and decided to pass the role along to Hansen.

“After stepping down as the director, I continued to play in the band playing trumpet and then back on French horn,” said McMullen.

Having been both a director and player, McMullen said she has come to truly appreciate the New England tradition of having town bands.

“It is a unique musical experience,” she said. “The musicianship of the band continues to astound me. We have members of all walks of life, ages and backgrounds.”

McMullen is also a member of the Search Committee, harnessed with the task of finding a permanent director.

“Currently, we are accepting applications, conducting interviews and hope to have a new director in place by September,” she said.