Vineyard Sound Blog

August 23, 2011

Looking back on a successful summer, and the summer next to come

Dear Friends, Family, Taun-Tauns, Death Eaters, and Hobbits alike,

What a summer. I don’t think any of us could have expected the past three months to unfold as they would, veterans included. What was different you might ask? I think the first word that comes to mind is that we were busy. Busy! Of course more business is good business, but it seemed we were singing at many more private events, and larger crowds at our public shows. For that we are without question, grateful. It is because of our fans and supporters that we can continue to sing and entertain the island for an entire summer. Thank you, for giving us the opportunity to sing on beautiful Martha’s Vineyard instead of stapling packets in a cubicle. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Our show last Sunday night was incredible, and also when it all really ‘hit us’ that our summer was over, that this experience was over. I remember Ben saying to me afterwards that after the fourth song he realized that this was the last show for the Vineyard Sound 2011. For some of us, our last show with the Vineyard Sound, ever (insert slow teardrop rolling down face, landing delicately on my fingertips as I string together sentimental sentences about summer fun and song).

The day after our Old Whaling Concert CJ, Ben, and Alec were the first ones to leave the house, their fellow rookie Rory dropped them off at the ferry. There are a lot of memories that I I flip through thinking back over the summer. I still remember playing hide and seek that first week when it rained. Francis never really did end up mastering spanish, but he did learn how to make really good grilled chicken. Spencer, true to form, continued to use the row machine all summer, training for crew season starting up in the fall. He also fulfilled his promise of never taking an indoor shower, taking full advantage of the outdoor shower, be it in the broad daylight or among the stars at night. Johnny will be heading back to Connecticut to look for teaching jobs. He will be an amazing teacher, I know it. Garth will be celebrating his 21st birthday in just 3 days back in DC, and I know without question he will celebrate it fully. I will remember Ben amazing my mother with his perfect mandarin on the steps of Old Whaling, and also helping the lost tourists to find the bus station – in chinese. I will think of Rory sitting on the couch every morning coffee cup in hand, Alec like clockwork on the couch watching Lost with his noise canceling headphones, CJ making bean and cheese quesadillas and staying up till 4 am playing Halo. I’ll remember Going to Great Rock beach, eating burgers in the Newes, getting iced coffee at Scottish Bakehouse, eating at Thai Cuisine in Oak Bluffs (CHECK IT OUT, IT’S AMAZING, the one across from vineyard vines), watching Harry Potter 7 at midnight, the fireworks in OB, looking at the light filter in through the colored windows while we rehearsed at the United Methodist Church, eating lobster in Menemsha, watching the sunset. The slow pastures in Chilmark.

insert some nostalgia tainted sighs.

For five of us, our membership in the Vineyard Sound has ended, we are officially Alumni. “Alumni.” ahah.
For the the rest, we’ll, who knows. I sure don’t. I’m just the blog updater. Some way or another, around say, January, the Vineyard sound will begin planning again for another summer to come, and a new a cappella life will be born again.

the big 2-0!

hold onto your pants, next summer is the 20th year of the Vineyard Sound, and it’s gonna be the reunion of a lifetime. I’ve already planned to return (I hope you do as well), salmon shorts, ties with funny animals on them, polos and all.

Well, this is me signing off. Look for me in the next gimmick reality TV show, minute to win it, or in a box on the streets of New York – I’ll without question give you hug and sing some tenor one line of Signed Sealed Delivered.

take care now,
Jon Wan

Comments

December 2, 2011

Bethany Mosshart wrote:

I have enjoyed performances by many versions of the Vineyard Sound ever the years. I found myself thinking of you recently when I had the pleasure of watching an Erato video. I’m sorry to learn of Boof’s passing, very happy to listen to “My Girl”. What a treasure for his family to have that recorded.