I’ve been a music geek pretty much all my life. Throughout school, choir and band were my go to subjects. After school I traveled in a music and drama group. In college I majored in music education. My first two post college jobs were music teacher and worship leader. Over the past 50 years, music has been a thread through my life that has influenced most of the relationships I have with family and friends. When I became the technology director in Hampstead, NH, I developed an instant friendship with Dillard, the elementary principal because of our mutual background in teaching music. The same happened next year when Maria became the principal of the middle school as she had also taught music. Those friendships expanded to include our spouses and we continue to try to get together regularly to enjoy each other’s company though none of us work together anymore.

I saw an advertisement for a brass quintet that was playing in Portsmouth, NH and immediately thought this would be a great venue for the six of us to enjoy. Unfortunately Mark and Maria were out of town, but Dillard and Laurie were eager to join us. The event was held at Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues club in Portsmouth. They’ve done a renovation of the old YMCA and created a magnificent destination for dinner, music, and art.

We arrived early on a snowy evening and enjoyed the recycled art installation in the gallery below the auditorium while waiting for the room to open. I love that art can be made from anything. The addition of lighting gave the items of trash and refuse an ethereal look and quite beatiful.

The room was swathed with a deep blue light evoking an night club atmosphere as we enjoyed drinks and dinner before the opening set. Dillard and Laurie are such good company and we had lively conversation. The set opened with music from Bernstein, Sondheim, and other musical greats. Dessert was served during intermission and we prepared for the final set. The majority of second act was comprised of music by Gershwin, specifically Porgy and Bess. All of it was played superbly by these UNH professors and friends. The four of us were thoroughly pleased with the night and promised we need to do this more often. There’s something about music that bonds people. I’m so grateful to have a spouse and friends that love and appreciate music as I do.