I needed a couple days to process the successes of this year’s performance at Caramoor before writing to everyone to extend my congratulations and gratitude. It’s clear that Saturday was outstanding in many ways. But I wanted to step back from it first to recognize the full extent of your work.

The most significant impact of Saturday, for me, was the clear focus and energy that you brought to the stage. We had an active soundcheck rehearsal (we played more than I wanted to), but that was not detrimental to your performance. You connected with Saturday’s audience in an authentic and visceral manner. Their response clearly indicated that they were with us all the way. The two evocative works – Shenandoah and Make Our Garden Grow – were especially meaningful for the audience, in both musical and symbolic ways. I heard more than once that — with the pending rain forecast — many audience members thought it had actually started to rain during Shenandoah. It doesn’t get better than that. You played with energy, enthusiasm, and determination, and this was evident from the first note of Pre-Americana through the last note of Stars & Stripes. I’m especially grateful for the musicianship of our vocal soloists, Chrissy & Thomas, our agile marimba, tuba, and piccolo soloists in the Sousa, and for everyone’s work on Barton’s challenging arrangements — it all came together exactly as I had hoped.

Thank you again for sticking with us through all the pandemic obstacles, along with everything else that has been tossed in our path since March 2020. Saturday’s performance was a true sign of WSW’s ability to thrive under the most challenging conditions.

I hope to finalize details soon about distributing recordings of concerts since our last CD was produced in February 2020. Once the details are ironed out, I think you’ll be pleased with what we are planning to offer.

Lastly, we are all grateful to the sub players who made Saturday possible. David Church will be touching base with those subs who have indicated interest in full-time membership, in order to schedule auditions on September 6 (location to be announced). Our first fall rehearsal is Monday, September 12; the Fall Concert is Sunday, November 6 at 3:00 pm.

I wish you all a truly wonderful restful and healthy summer.