Bob Husband
Top photo: Bob Husband (left) with Orpheus singers Peter Bernich and Bob Casparian before the Ridgewood 4th of July Parade in 2016. Bottom left photo: Celebrating Orpheus' first prize for "best musical group on float" at the same parade a year later.
Bob Husband
- Town: Ridgewood, New Jersey
- Singing part: Tenor 1
- How did you first hear about Orpheus?
“My wife, Terry, had seen a notice in one of the local papers about Orpheus and although I had been thinking of joining I had been putting it off due to work and other demands. In summer of 2007 I was between consulting assignments and having arthroscopic surgery on my knee so my mobility was limited. Terry reminded me of Orpheus and implied I needed to find something to get out of the house (and out of her hair). I called Dick Scott on a Friday expressing an interest, and Dick invited me to rehearsal the following Wednesday to 'try us out'.” - How long have you been singing with Orpheus and how long in general?
“I started in the winter season of 2007. Although I had been singing in school choirs since a very young age, I hadn't sung in any formal setting since college and so was feeling a bit of trepidation when I first sat in on a rehearsal. My hesitation was easily dealt with by the warm reception I received from everyone, but especially the tenor 1 section as we were only six guys at that time. My voice is naturally pretty high (I sound like Mickey Mouse on a bad day and Sesame Street's Elmo on a good day) for a guy, so I was a welcome addition.” - Can you share a memory or experience with Orpheus?
"I had an experience back when I was in the organization only a year or two when we were finishing up the concert on a particularly cold and snowy evening. On my way out the door after cleanup I spotted an elderly lady sitting alone. When I asked her if she was waiting to have someone pick her up she said ‘No, I walked here from my apartment (which was approximately four blocks away) and am just waiting to warm up a bit before I walk home.’ To make a long story longer, I offered to drive her and she agreed. On the way she expressed how she went to all our concerts and how much the music meant to her which was really touching, considering her age and physical situation.
“In terms of concerts both the appearance at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC [2019] and the joint Carmina Burana concert [2017] were both tremendously rewarding.”
- What do you do as a leader of Orpheus and what you have gained from the experience?
“I was the president of Orpheus for four years and have been the current board chairman for the last six years as well as the current fundraising chairman for the last four years. Although the demands on my time have been great, I value the experience because the guys do so much for each other as well as the community. There is a great camaraderie in the group with guys of multiple ages and levels of experience sharing a common love of music and dedicated to serving the community. These concerts all involve a great deal of coordination and logistics from many people in order to succeed and I believe that our director and accompanist, together with our president and executive committee, do a fabulous job in putting all of it together.” - Can you share a favorite choral song?
“I have many but among my favorites would have to be: 'Sure on this Shining Night,' 'Mood Indigo' and 'Siboney.' Although not one of my favorites, the one I'm probably most proud of from mastery of its overall complexity would be 'The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard.’ " - How does music help you through tough times?
“Especially in this past year of so much heartache and turmoil, music reminds us of who we are as a people and connects us at a root level which I believe no other form of communication can do as effectively.”
Published in May 2021