M Ward-Pops Concerts Postponed

The M Ward and Friends appearance with the Boston Pops, scheduled for June 26-27, has been postponed "in order to have the time needed to create the best possible arrangements for this unique collaboration," according to a press release sent this morning, and the BSO confirms that the indie singer-songwriter will not perform with the Pops during this season's EdgeFest. There is a silver lining: the excellent country-folk ensemble Hem will take M. Ward's slot at Symphony Hall. "It's a Herculean effort," said BSO spokesperson Kathleen Drohan of the Brooklyn band's last minute installation. Here's what Hem has to say on its website:

This is serious stuff: in 13 short days, Hem (that's eight of us) and the Boston Pops (that's ninety of them) will be appearing in Boston's Symphony Hall, one the very finest concert halls in the entire world. The band is thrilled, like truly beside ourselves -- this is a singular opportunity to take to the stage with some of the orchestral ideas that have anchored our recordings for years, and a chance to try some brand new things out, too, in a truly expansive setting.