At the Great Auditorium prior to the Memorial Day concert. 5/27/23 Paul Goldfinger photo.
Showtime: Deb Cuddhy of OG arrives with out of town guests. Paul Goldfinger photo.
Paul Goldfinger, Editor. Blogfinger.net. 5/27/23
There were only a few hundred people at the concert including some from the local assisted living. It wasn’t well advertised. The ensemble needs polishing, and the song selection was at times peculiar for a patriotic program. However there were some outstanding musical highlights.
One person in the audience called it “boring.” That wasn’t me…my adjective would be “lackluster.” Someone else in the crowd called the program “awful.” And, many in the audience did not get a program–they ran out.
Also they collected donations as we entered the GA. Shouldn’t that happen on the way out? What was the money for: CMA or the musicians? Maybe the missing program explained. We dropped $10 into the basket—that’s trust.
As far as patriotism, 2 selections early in the program had Russian roots. Wasn’t this supposed to be a celebration of America?
Some stood for the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” because of its religious lyrics, and there were some hymns in the program.
And the 2 man color guard from Spring Lake was late and their presentation sloppy. Couldn’t the CMA find a proper color guard with at least 4 people in Neptune or Asbury? They do exist.
Finally, since the Home Groaners are so concerned about diversity in the Grove, why were there only a few African-Americans in the audience? Weren’t they invited?
Was the HOA meeting yesterday which focused on the Midtown community of Neptune and the gay community in the Grove just blather? How about some real results?
US Marine Band “Semper Fidelis”. A Sousa march below. Was Sousa’s ghost there, or did it leave early as we did? Did you know that his portrait hangs in the OG Historical Society. And the CMA ran Sousa out of town after he made too many jokes about Prohibition,
Deb. I welcome your opinions about the quality and selection of music at last night’s Memorial Day concert. Differences of opinion are welcome on Blogfinger, but our rules forbid personal attacks on these pages, and that is why your comment was edited. PG
I and my company were very moved and pleased by such a beautiful performance by no less than unpaid musicians -not to mention the color guard. I thought they played the most well known patriotic songs and filled in with others that were enjoyable along with the history given for each which we all found interesting. We loved the woman who sang solo and played Taps which I didn’t recall from last year.
I was looking for the donation basket with monies in hand and was disappointed it wasnt there but I will be sure to make the donation designating the Atl Wind Ensemble. The timing of the color guard was so small as to be inconsequential in any real way. I and my friends are grateful this tradition continues!