Final reminders for July 4

I’m putting a couple reminders in writing to make sure everyone is clear about all things Caramoor for tomorrow:

Attire

As in the past for this performance – white tops (open neck, no ties, no jackets), black bottoms, comfortable black footwear. No perfume/cologne, please.

Call time/parking

Please arrive between 3:00-3:45 pm. The grounds are beautiful! It’s well worth the time to come a little bit early and enjoy the setting.

Regular parking/staying for fireworks – Tell the parking attendants you’re “with the orchestra” and they will send you the long way around to Artist Parking (past the Rosen House, past the picnic grove, all the way to that isolated parking lot off back stage right). Pro tip: In years past, many folks brought a bottle of wine and we broke them open during the fireworks, sitting in the artist/crew outdoor dinner seating area. It’s a nice way to wind down after the performance and celebrate the end of the WSW season, while waiting for the fireworks to end and the path to clear out of Artist Parking.

Alternate parking/leaving BEFORE fireworks begin – Tell the parking attendants you’re “with the orchestra” but that you need to park in the audience parking area close to the exit, so you can duck out the exit before the fireworks begin. Note: I’ve been advised that no traffic will be allowed to move in any way after the fireworks begin, so if you’re exercising this option, ask your stand partner to drop hand your folder, and leave quickly after the final applause ends.

Soundcheck/Performance timeline

4:00 pm – Sound check, in performance order. The only numbers we will run in their entirety are the Puccini and Verdi arias/duos, so the sound engineer can work with the soloists.
5:45 pm – Rehearsal with handbell ringers/1812.
6:00 pm – Dinner break (5 vegetarian and 5 gluten-free meals have been reserved for our group)
7:45 pm – Section tuning circles backstage
7:50 pm – Take seats on stage
8:00 pm – Downbeat!
9:10 pm (estimated) – Performance ends. Fireworks follow as soon as ushers help direct audience members to the viewing area.

Folder collection

After the performance, your first priority is to please take all your music and other materials out of your folder, and place your empty folder in one of the green collection bags backstage. Please don’t take your folder with you! (But please take or recycle all the music parts!)

See you all tomorrow for the grand finale of this amazing 36th season!!!