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.

Thank you once again for a terrific dress rehearsal on Wednesday night. The recording I tried to make stopped after only 10 minutes (it’s never done that before), so I will share the notes I have put together directly with you during the sound check tomorrow.

See the map below for parking. This path will take you all the way around the campus to the other side of the Venetian Theater, but in the long run it’s the closest parking possible.

This is a rain-or-shine performance. I recognize that they are calling for isolated thunderstorms tomorrow as the front comes through. We simply have to roll with it.

I’m guessing that they will not be interested in us hanging around on the property afterwards. If anyone knows of a watering hole in Katonah where anyone who’d like to might gather, please let me know.

Once again, call is 12:00 pm tomorrow, percussion players are welcome to arrive as early as 11:00 am, which is when I plan to be there. (Percussion has already been delivered.

I want to start this post by recognizing that we’ve all been through a lot in the last couple years. Just when you think it can’t get worse, it does. We are all dealing with overlapping pandemics of different health, social, economic, and civic natures, and this past week was especially difficult for many people.

It is at a time like this that we be especially mindful of the good we can do in our capacity as a respected American community band. We have an unequaled opportunity over the coming week to inspire and motivate 1800 audience members at this Independence Day celebration to think, to feel, to weigh, to envision, and to be a power for good. I hope you will keep this in mind as you practice, prepare, and rehearse with us on Monday and Wednesday, working together to cultivate the best performance possible as we close out our 2021-2022 season on Saturday.

The rehearsal plan is posted. Please remember again to complete the health screening form before coming to TMH. If you have not yet completed the the 2022-2023 Personnel Commitment Form, please do so by Monday (you should also have received a reminder from David Church). Check the Caramoor website as needed for directions, parking info, etc.

Be safe and enjoy this beautiful day.

Thanks to everyone for a very productive rehearsal last night. Special thanks go out to Daniella and Björn for joining us for the Sondheim songs, and to Allan and Nathan for joining our ranks for these last rehearsals and performance.

As I mentioned last night, Karina has offered us access to free tickets to the classical piano concert tonight by Kristina Marinova. Click the graphic above for more information, and email Nancy at members@tarrytownmusichall.org to reserve tickets.

Karina is also looking for talented high school and college age students to participate in the Music Hall Academy production of The Wedding Singer from July 25 to August 6. Scholarships are available. Click here for more info – please share this with your colleagues in theater.