2025 Life Logs, Day 71: Falmouth’s All Bands Night and More
Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Weather: Sunny, but Cooler; High Temp 46, Low 33 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue with My Shadow, Falmouth, MA
The Falmouth Schools’ All Bands Night has become one of my favorite nights of the year. I think all of the mamas, the papas, the grandmas, the grandpas, and the brothers and sisters in attendance love hearing Falmouth’s 5th grade band, 6th grade band, middle school band, and high school band, all gathered in the high school gymnasium playing music. The evening starts with the high school band playing the Star-Bangled Banner. Then the youngest musicians play one piece, and the next and the next, on up to the high school band. Just hearing the progression of expertise is always “music to my ears.” They then start over, with each band playing another piece. There is a short pause while the jazz bands at each level come forward. They each play two songs, always upbeat and a delight to hear. The evening then ends with all of the musicians playing America the Beautiful written by Falmouth’s own Katherine Lee Bates. How they pull this off with only one practice run just before the concert begins is amazing to me. It is always a tearjerker but tonight, with the situation in our country, it was even more so. America is beautiful and for just a short period of time tonight, everyone in that gymnasium set politics aside and became one. Thank you, Falmouth School District, for the opportunity you offer your students and the gift you give each of us in attendance on this one special night each year.
I started my day with an all-morning Encore Board meeting, followed by a Shamrock Luncheon at Liam MacGuire’s hosted by Newcomers. Next was an Exploring Public Policy meeting with Town Moderator and state representative speaking with us about local government and how to get involved.
In between each of these activities, I would hurry home to let Shadow out. And then the day ended with the All Bands Night. Busy, but wonderful day.
