I didn’t know how lucky I was when I started directing this group. Ten years and so many amazing musical moments later, I wake up every Monday feeling blessed that I will rehearse with The Rockford Aces* that evening.
There are 46 alums from the previous nine years, and we’ll add another seven tonight. 53 young men who have changed me, taught me, challenged me. 53 young men who, I hope, are better musicians and better human beings because of their time in The Rockford Aces.
Tonight, we celebrate. Fully half of our alumni are returning, including at least one from every year the group existed. We’ll make music together and separately, we’ll laugh and reminisce.
I’m a person who is generally fixated forward: always looking ahead to the next challenge, the next experience. I look backward only to see what we can do better next time.
So it’s been a great and novel experience getting ready for this concert, to be able to look back and reflect a little bit about these ten years. (And shoutout to the five before that, my “boot camp” with Grosse Pointe North AcaFella. Hi guys.)
I hope if you’re in the area, you consider joining me and the Aces tonight. We have a really special concert planned, with surprises, entertainment, and great music making.
Rockford Aces Tenth Anniversary Concert
Rockford High School Auditorium
June 1, 7pm
Free Admission (suggested $5 donation)
I hope to see you there!
* side note: Aces is spelled with only one capital letter–the A. Tell your friends!