Chorus of Westerly Summer Pops 2022

 

Our concession stand at the end of the center aisle was up and running by 3:00pm.  We sold hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, lemonade, water and soda.

Thank You to all Rotarians who donated soda and water, to McQuade's Ace Hardware for the loan of trash barrels, to Honey Dew Donuts Franklin Street for the donation of coffee etc, to Grey Sail Brewery for the truck loan, to Bogue's Alley for the donation of pretzels, to Stonington Ice for their donation of ice.  Westerly High School National Honor Students were with us early in the morning to help unload our supplies and set up the tents etc.  Amanda Nall's nephew, Danny Oliverio, and Maya Dessaules also lent a hand during the evening.  Our new hot dog grill was a success!

Our success is because of the cooperation and generosity of all of you.  Net sale proceeds will go directly to the Chorus of Westerly to help fund this event.

 

Thanks to Kathryn Taylor, Steve Cofone and Cal Lord for the following pictures of a glorious Summer Pops!!!!

                        

 

The Chorus and Grucci outdid themselves this year with exciting and uplifting music and fantastic fireworks topped off, as usual, with the 1812 Overture with Newport Artillery and Christ Church Bells.  Really special this year, however, was the revised text to the 1812 created by the Chorus' own Executive Director Ryan Saunders.  Previously the Chorus sang the Russian text of this piece.  Stated in The Westerly Sun those words "were no longer appropriate to be sung....we crafted a text that we feel encourages us to work together, that brings hope, and that reminds us of our shared humanity.  This is our call for unity and our prayer for peace."  And, we share those beautiful words here:

          Voices rising, giving hope to humankind.