Greenwich Symphony Orchestra’s Big Brass Quintet Rings in the Season With a Special Concert at the Witherell!
Despite the challenges we’ve all experienced in 2020, the silver lining continues to be the way our community goes above and beyond to support our beloved residents and staff. This support was on full display last weekend, when the acclaimed Greenwich Symphony Orchestra sent its excellent Brass Quintet to perform a special outdoor concert at our Friendship Garden.
On a brisk yet sunny afternoon, the quintet performed works by a range of composers that reflect a timeline through history and included pieces by Giovanni Gabriel, Johan Pezel, Johann Bach, John Philip Sousa, Victor Ewald, Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein and John Cheetham Scherzo. Residents enjoyed the performance immensely as they watched from their rooms or common areas facing the courtyard, as visitor restrictions are being observed. The quintet included Morris Kainuma on tuba, Peter Reit on French Horn, James Hamlin and Jerry Bryant on trumpet and Cliff Haynes on trombone.
“We are so grateful to these talented performers for volunteering their time on a weekend to provide such a distinctive musical performance for our residents,” says John Mastonardi, executive director of the Witherell. “Music is such an important therapeutic activity; it sparks long forgotten memories, and nurtures body, mind, and soul.”
The concert at the Witherell was the first stop this season in the orchestra’s planned outdoor performances at area senior facilities. The GSO’s board members decided to host the outdoor concerts to show support for Greenwich seniors. It also gave its musicians an opportunity to perform, because since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra has had to suspend its concert season.
With the holidays soon approaching, the GSO’s Brass Quintet was a great way to bring some seasonal magic to the Witherell. “The holidays will be different this year for everyone,” notes John Mastronardi. “What will remain the same is our commitment to making this time as joyful and positive as possible.”
To learn more about the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra, or to show your support, go to: www.greenwichsymphony.org.
