Dear members of the Tacoma AGO,

Happy Labor Day! The unofficial end of summer for many people. This month, schools begin classes and choirs return to regular rehearsals. Additionally, each year on this holiday, I greatly enjoy Kimberly Marshall’s recognition of “the generations of Kalkanten (bellows treaders) that made our art possible for centuries…” (See the illustration.)

As we settle back into our weekly routines, I encourage you to do at least one thing a week for yourself that reinforces your love of music. For me, I am working to prioritize my practice time, blocking off time (whether at the piano or organ) and not allowing it to be touched by other commitments. From my various encounters with musicians and musical communities around the country, practicing is often be the last thing we get to after doing administrative work, teaching, running rehearsals, etc. This also might look like getting together on a regular basis with friends and colleagues or supporting colleagues events around the region. Whatever this looks like for you, do it!

To help form this program year, there will be a survey going out in the near future seeking your input regarding scheduling and types of events so that we can best serve you, our members! I will also be working closing with our new Sub Dean, Jay Murphy-Mancini, to curate a wonderful and engaging year for us here in the South Sound! Watch for forthcoming information regarding our first events of the year.

In the meantime, check out the myriad of events coming up this year that can be found on our Events Calendar. There is a lot of great music happening around us!

In music,
Wyatt Smith