Be True to Your School: Performing at LINACA

I've been fortunate to have lived a music-filled life since my teenage years. While there have been unforgettable tours and festivals in my career, there's one annual event that held a special place in my heart. Every year, on the day after Christmas, a group of my high school friends from Damariscotta, Maine, used to organize a Boxing Day Concert. It was a cherished tradition where we'd gather talented alumni, raise funds for a beloved charity, and, most importantly, reunite with friends from across the globe at least once a year.

It was truly a talent showcase. Our high school, with just around 400 students, was located in a remote corner of the country, far from major art hubs. Despite that, the success stories of my classmates were legendary. A long-time cast member of CSI New York? Check. A member of the Blue Man Group before they gained widespread recognition? Check. A regular star at the New York Met and European opera houses? Check. Successful composers, music professors, and painters? Check, check, and check.

The Boxing Day Concert continued for several years, but life's demands, such as starting families and burgeoning careers, led to a hiatus that stretched into decades. Every December 26th brought a tinge of sadness as I realized I wouldn't see my dear friends that year, or possibly for even longer. I cherished those shows, but I knew it was becoming increasingly challenging to orchestrate them.

A year ago, an old classmate reached out with an invitation to participate in the inaugural benefit show for my alma mater's arts program, Lincoln Academy. Although I had prior commitments for shows and workshops in New York, I promised them to get in touch for the next edition.

I had honestly forgotten about this exchange until a few months ago when the same friend invited me to perform in the second annual event. This time, my schedule in New York was more accommodating, so I agreed to participate.

*Pat and me… reunited with my first-ever guitar teacher*

I adjusted my flight dates, allowing me some time to visit family in Boston before embarking on the journey up the coast to Maine. After spending the night in my grandfather's old farmhouse, I set about deciding what I would perform at the show. I settled on an original soundscape and two songs I’d written during my time with The Normans.

The weather didn't cooperate; while I welcomed the escape from Texas heat, New England had been soaked by months of rain, and we were under a storm advisory for our outdoor show. However, the crew had set up tents to ensure the show would go on. It was a wise decision, as the deluge began shortly after my soundcheck arrival and continued well into the night. While this might have discouraged some, a dedicated crowd gathered under the tents, and the show proceeded.

It was a joy to witness the talent on display, especially from adults who were mere children when my friends and I held our Boxing Day Concerts. It was inspiring and heartwarming to see that the remarkable talent emerging from Lincoln Academy hadn't waned over the years. As the father of the aforementioned New York Met opera singer friend once said: "There must be something in the water."

I performed my quiet set amidst the backdrop of rain's rhythm. Despite struggling to hear myself over the roar of the raindrops on the tent, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As the sun set, the evening took a more relaxed turn, with various musicians joining the event's house band, The Gulch. I was persuaded to step up and lead on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" (neither of which, it should be said, I had sung before in my life), and I had a blast. It wasn't just because I got to perform with my old classmate and Blue Man Group alum, Core Redonnett, but also because our guitar teacher, Patrick Ginnaty, whom I hadn't seen in over a decade, was on lead. Having the three of us on stage, along with some incredibly talented instrumentalists, felt like a reunion like no other.

While the Boxing Day Concert may be a thing of the past, it's heartening to know that the younger generation has stepped up to champion the arts. It’s was also heartening to be able to support the arts program which supported me and provided a firm foundation upon which to create a life in music. May the inexplicable talent from this remote corner of the world continue to enrich the global stage. My heart is full, and I'm immensely grateful for this experience.