“Massapequa Philharmonic music director David Bernard is of the firm belief that his organization is a leader in contributing to the cultural fabric of Long Island,” writes Dave Gil de Rubio in Friday’s (1/8) Massapequa Observer (New York). “So when the pandemic caused the world to grind to a halt, the question was how this group of professional musicians could go forward at a time when venues were shut down.… The answer was to enter into a unique agreement with the Nassau Museum of Art to present live music at the mansion and on the 145-acre grounds.… The orchestra forged the partnership back in September, at a time when Bernard and the philharmonic were itching to go beyond playing virtual concerts.” Bernard says, “ ‘I had a discussion with Charles Riley, the executive director of the museum, and we came up with this plan for the Massapequa Philharmonic to now be the orchestra in residence there. Everything that we’re doing there is all within the safety protocols.… Anybody walking around the grounds … is able to hear some live music’… [with] anywhere from four to 20 philharmonic members playing chamber music during the museum’s weekend opening hours.”
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