Lake Country Culture
In Wisconsin, spring comes in its own good time. Since we can’t always count on that beautiful, sunny day bike ride or walk along the lakeshore, we hunt for fun and exciting things to do that may occupy a chilly evening, or a rainy afternoon. Lake Country offers many such activities. I’d like to highlight a gem of an organization, which many area locals are not familiar with. It is called the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, or WASB for short. It resides at Carroll University, in Waukesha. “The Waukesha Area Symphonic Band began in the fall of 1976 as the result of concerned musicians who recognized the need for an adult music organization in the community that was dedicated to the serious performance of outstanding music for winds and percussion.” The band is comprised of adults from various professions; doctors, attorneys, music educators, business owners, and even a realtor or two.
Being a lifelong French Horn-playing “band-geek”, I have sought out community orchestras and bands, my entire adult life. It is such a treat to find an organization of this caliber, in my own back yard, and one that offers such a beautiful facility, in which to perform. There are old friends, and new friends within the group, and several from my culture-rich-hometown of Oconomowoc. We are currently planning a joint concert with the Oconomowoc High School Bands for this fall in the newly built Oconomowoc Performing Arts Center.
Each year, the band’s spring concert features a community organization as the benefactor of a portion of the concert proceeds. This spring, as in many years past, proceeds will benefit ACAP, the Waukesha Adaptive Community Approach Program. It’s mission: “ We encourage people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential and acquire life-long skills which will enable them to become contributing and valued members within their communities.” The concert will feature a French Horn solo, by one on our local high school juniors. Click here for a bio on Ms. Duffy, a Waukesha West High School Junior. So, for some great local culture, benefiting a good cause, please consider an evening of beautiful music.
Concert time is at 7:30 p.m. in Shattuck Auditorium, on the campus of Carroll University. Tickets for the May 1st concert are $10 and are available by calling 262/370-6129 or in the Shattuck Auditorium lobby on the evening of the concert.
Posted by:
Karen Trepton
