Concerts by the Pond 10th Anniversary Season a Huge Success

What a 10th Anniversary Season of Concerts by the Pond! It goes without saying that, though we are losing what was to be the (rescheduled) final concert of the season on May 19 due to unforeseen circumstances, this season of expanded concert offerings was a huge success.

Hundreds of concert-goers and students, a large percentage of whom were visiting out church for the first time, were treated to transcendent music in our beautiful church. Some of the highlights of the season include:

• An exciting opening night gala concert and donor reception with Sylvan Winds - marking the first evening concert and fully ticketed event in the history of the series.
• The fun and festive holiday concert of organ and brass, featuring our own Dr. Carol Weitner - marking the first holiday concert in the history of the series.
• Behind the Music Educational workshops led Mary Wilson, ArcoStrum, Invoke, and Empire Wild that opened our eyes, ears, and hearts to the possibility of giving back to the community while enriching the concert experience for our audiences.
• Thrilling programs from the award-winning ensembles ArcoStrum, Invoke, and Empire Wild that offered innovative programing and incredible musical experiences for everyone who attended a concert.

Obviously, it takes a team to make a series like this a huge success. Thank you to George Lindsay, Mary Jo Balkind, Dan Barbiero, Diana Collins, Maura Charles, John Sands, and Lauren Ausubel for your support and dedication on the concerts committee. Progress like this takes a giant leap of faith. Thank you for running with the vision of what this concert series can be in the future. Thank you to Chery Manniello, Sarah Murphy, Zara Ventura, Ella Charles, Byrd Pollach, Peyton Pollach, and Owen Westervelt who have volunteered at will-call, as ticket takers, as ushers, and as stage crew throughout the season.

Thank you to our Clergy and Vestry for your support of the season's expansion - embracing the vision using our concert series as a way to share God's gifts with our broader community. Thank you to all of our donors and sponsors who were a huge part of making this season a success. Thank you for our audience members and students who attended the concerts and educational events this season. I hope that these events left you enriched as well as entertained.

We have learned a lot during this 10th Anniversary Season and are excited to announce next year's line-up in coming days. Rest assured that next year will continue to have incredible music and educational programming that St. John's can be proud of, as we continue to raise up and welcome our greater community.

Bryce