The Pops at the Post dress rehearsal last Saturday at Trinity Oaks was surely bittersweet for Salisbury Symphony director David Hagy.
Hagy made the decision three years ago to hold the rehearsal at the community’s health and rehab services (formerly the Lutheran Home) so that his mother – who was too frail to attend the evening performance downtown – could enjoy the concert.
“It was very meaningful to have her there,” Hagy said. In retrospect, her attendance was even more meaningful. Mary Hagy died the next month.
In her honor, and with the blessing of the musicians, Hagy decided to continue holding rehearsals at Trinity Oaks.
“Many musicians said, ‘We need to do this every year.’ They were so touched by the response of the audience.”
Hagy points out that while the event – which is called the Mary B. Hagy Memorial Concert – is mostly a run-through performance, it is also a rehearsal. That means that at a few points Saturday afternoon, Hagy paused the proceedings to work out a few kinks in the program.
Nobody minded, and in fact, the breaks provided a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the magic happens.
One memorable moment for Hagy came during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner. Although Hagy told the audience that they need not stand for the anthem if they were unable, one World War II veteran in a wheelchair struggled to remain upright for the whole song. “That was very touching,” Hagy said.
After the performance, Trinity Oaks provided a meal for the musicians, and soon it was time to move everything to the Salisbury Post loading dock and do it all over again — this time for an audience of thousands rather than dozens.

Katie Scarvey is a communications specialist for Lutheran Services Carolinas.