The Connection

The Netcasters have turned into a real song and dance outfit … but that’s been a pretty positive thing for some of their audiences lately.

Reactivated just one year ago in October, the all-volunteer group has become a popular attraction at area senior living or rehabilitation facilities and the song and dance aspect is a contributing factor. For presentations at these venues, the program has always included “songs of yesteryear,” such as “Sentimental Journey” and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” but lately The Netcasters gentlemen singers have begun inviting the ladies in the audience to dance to the bittersweet “Tennessee Waltz.”

Kathryn Boudreau, the group’s co-director who traditionally sings that song solo, is amused at the spontaneous action by the men in the group that has now become a priceless and memorable part of these performances. However, she still emphasized that the group’s focus is rooted in gospel and contemporary Christian music.

“We’ve grown musically, expanding our repertoire substantially, but have also grown spiritually as we continue our music ministry outreach,” she said. The ecumenical musical group continues to include between 12-18 numbers in each performance, traditionally closing with an up-beat, swinging “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” that almost always brings people to their feet.

THE LAST WEEKEND IN OCTOBER provided opportunities for both sides of their music, as The Netcasters traveled to the Charlottesville area to entertain at Mountainside Senior Living in Crozet. The next morning they were reunited with a past musical director, Cheryl Garcia, whose husband, Christopher Garcia serves as the rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood. There the group presented the liturgical music for two services on Sunday morning.

Although the group is based in the Springfield-Burke area, these road trips prove that they are indeed going that extra mile. Previous travels took them to Lexington Park, Md. for an “Afternoon With Jesus” program and three separate trips to Romney, W.Va. The final visit to the latter destination was to sing at the memorial service for Libby Hillenbrand, a former member of the group, who had requested that The Netcasters sing at her funeral. In total, the ensemble has had 15 events in the past 12 months, including a recent church service at Olivet Episcopal on Beulah Road, the Iliff Rehabilitation Facility in Fairfax, and two at Greenspring retirement community.

All of this is a lot of mileage for a bunch of volunteers, most of who have not performed in touring groups before. Although the “cast” for each performance depends on the individual member’s availabilities, the ensemble usually comprises keyboard, guitars, flutes, and electric bass, as well as vocalists. In the past year, five new members have joined the group, which provides opportunities for different musical arrangements, depending on the voices and instruments that are available to participate each time.

ONE OF THOSE NEW MEMBERS, Mary Oliver of Springfield, has particularly enjoyed singing with The Netcasters. Oliver, who played flute at both West Springfield High School and George Mason University, as well as studying piano privately, said, “I’m so glad to have a chance to give something musical to the community. I love to see the happy faces at each performance.”

However, there are still some professionally trained musicians charting the course. Ether Smith served for six years as the commander of an Air National Guard band and played in the television orchestra for a major U.S. city. He serves as co-director with Boudreau and provides the group’s musical arrangements, frequently changing tempos and rhythms of gospel standards with infectious results. The Netcasters vocalists have also consulted with Robert Rudolph, the musical director at Springfield’s Messiah United Methodist Church, for choral direction. In addition, Rudolph arranged for weekly practice space at his church for the independent group’s rehearsals.

With the holidays approaching, The Netcasters are now focusing on traditional carols of the season. Their next presentation will be a return visit to Iliff Rehabilitation Facility for a Christmas music program. The group may be contacted at thenetcasters@gmail.com to provide music for religious services, retirement homes, rehabilitation facilities, or other venues.