A Terrific 20 Years!
Now that I finally got the recordings from the Holiday concert posted on the website (Thanks Al) and have a moment to reflect, I just wanted to thank everyone who had a hand in making Stone Soup Symphony’s 20th Anniversary year a great one.It wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers, local businesses, fans, and of course our musicians who dedicate their time and talent to making this community orchestra a success.I want to specifically thank…
- WRNJ Radio for being SO helpful in spreading the word for us with PSAs and interviews.
- Lamb Printing for their help with our flyers and printing needs.
- Everyone at the Hackettstown First Presbyterian Church for allowing us to use their chapel for rehearsals and sanctuary for concerts. These fine folks have given us a home, and we are grateful.
Finally, this orchestra wouldn’t be what it is without YOU. Our friends, our families, and our fans. Your appreciation of the arts, and your support of Stone Soup’s mission to make classical and symphonic music accessible to everyone, is what makes this orchestra worthwhile.
As a recap of the year, you can check out the 2018 Mementos page on our website after reading this quick rundown.Note: There are a lot of missing pieces in our Mementos page. If you have any photos, recordings, video, I would LOVE to add them. If you’ve got your stuff up on YouTube, FaceBook, Instagram, or wherever, Please tag us, or email a link/attachment to music@StoneSoupSymphony.org
- 2018 in Review
- In the SPRING…
- We played Dvorak’s 8th symphony in its entirety. It had been a while since we played a full symphony, and thought it was time.
The Herald Trumpets were fun! - Ed Geller played Handel’s Gm oboe concerto.
We definitely should play more concertos… they’re beautiful and showcase our talented musicians. Who’s working up the next one? - We rounded our the show with the Great Gate of Kiev, and Shostakovich Waltz #2. Both fun pieces.
- We gave the repertoire a warm-up run for the residents at Heath Village, who were, as always, a welcoming and appreciative crowd.
- We gave 2 public performances of the repertoire, one in our home-base, the Hackettstown 1st Presbyterian church and another at the Washington 1st Presbyterian. Both beautiful venues.
- We played Dvorak’s 8th symphony in its entirety. It had been a while since we played a full symphony, and thought it was time.
- Over the summer, we had a lovely (tho slightly damp) BBQ to celebrate Thanks Scott & Mary!
- In the FALL…
- We switched to Pops and had 3 showings of the repertoire…
- City of Passiac summer concert series
- A lovely summer evening in the park
- Victorian Days Festival Belvidere
- Oh boy did it rain, but we moved inside the Belvidere Presbyterian church to play for a small, but appreciative audience.
- Morristown Festival on the Green
- This was a great show on a lovely summer day. We just need a way to better compete with the salsa band next-door.
- For the Holidays…
- We broke out some old pieces we hadn’t seen in a while and added some new stuff with the old classics.
- As usual, there was a full house at the Hackettstown 1st Presbyterian.
- Party at Brian’s house!
- The next day, we went Caroling around to 3 Hackettstown Nursing homes to spread some cheer.
So… to recap my recap… thank you all for a terrific 20th anniversary year. I look forward to making next year and all the ones to follow even better.
Thank you,
Rob Adams
President, Stone Soup Symphony