The 2020 season marks the tenth anniversary year for Summer Serenades, the well-attended free summer gatherings presented by the Greater Brockport Development Corporation. The atmosphere is friendly, and people know that the groups selected to perform are high quality, often with home town connections. Summer Serenades is a highly anticipated Brockport fixture.
In fact, because of its strong community following, the GBDC also scheduled winter events for the past two years, thanks to generous support from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. This year, the focus of the first winter event was a musical celebration of the installation of the church’s new pipe organ. The second planned event, with Andrew Stoker and friends, was canceled because of COVID-19.
Seven Thursday evening music performances were scheduled for this July and August at Brockport’s Welcome Center. After three months of staying inside, the thought of Summer Serenades gatherings is both wished for and risky, and perhaps not even permitted. It’s possible that by early July, our region will officially enter the state’s Phase 4, allowing for larger gatherings and public events. The GBDC planning committee has weighed many options, including a change of venue. But, given that musicians, due to social distancing advisories, have not been able to play together in months and everyone has concerns about sharing space with more than a few people, all July Serenades have been canceled.
What about August? Optimists are hopeful that with some changes – perhaps expansion of the seating area onto the adjacent parking lot, allowing for more space between chairs – GBDC Summer Serenades will happen. That is, only if approved by state and local health authorities. And if the musicians are ready and able to play. Watch for an announcement to be made later in the summer.
The planning committee advises saving Thursday, August 20, for the last event of the planned 2020 schedule, a performance by Brockport’s own Chris Wilson.
The GBDC music committee is looking forward to a full tenth anniversary celebration season next year.
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