Mateo Darack

GEORGE SCHARR FIRST MET MATEO DARACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 DURING BAND CAMP AT FALMOUTH ACADEMY.

That day, Mateo sat in the corner, playing two notes on the tuba. “The instructor looks at me and raises his eyebrows. In the first two notes—imagine when someone speaks to you—you can tell a tremendous amount about a player, not only by their tone, but their articulation and Mateo, who has been playing music since the fourth grade,

how they go from the first note to the second,” says Scharr, plays with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, was acsetts Music Educators Association All-State Festival.

who serves as the school’s music director.

Afterwards, Scharr sat down with Mateo, asking him what he hoped to do with his talent.

“I’d like to be a tuba player for the Boston Pops,” Scharr by “making music for other people just for the enjoyment.

recalls him saying.

A year later, that dream was partially realized when Mateo was one of several Falmouth Academy students to kick people to feel those things and remember those things is

off the 33rd Annual Pops by the Sea by playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” as they made their way down the Hyannis Village Green to the front of the iconic stage.

For someone who has long dreamed of one day being on the Boston Pops watching us and clapping, it gave me a tingling feeling,” says Mateo. lives on Martha’s Vineyard and has dedicated himself to his craft, intent on combining his passion with his talents to reach his goal. “This guy has the right stuff,” says Scharr, who has played the bass trombone with the Cape Symphony for over 30 years. “He is a rare breed. So many kids have a few ingredients, but not all of them. It is inspiring to me because I wasn’t like that at his age.”

This year, Mateo has continued his ascension. He currently cepted into the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony, and performed at Symphony Hall in Boston at the Massachu

Mateo, who is going to be a sophomore this fall, is driven That keeps me going and practicing every day.”

Music, he says, “can completely influence how you feel, can bring back memories, can give you aspirations, and can influence everybody in their daily lives. … Getting that stage, it was a highlight of his young career. “Having

an honor I consider myself lucky to have.”

And so in the midst of the pandemic, he continues to study. He continues to play. And he continues to practice, getting closer to his goal with every note he plays.

125TH ANNIVERSARY Mural Contest

Although our 125th year celebrations are looking differently than originally planned, we are excited for what we have in store!

Mid-Cape’s location in Orleans has a 10’x72’ wall facing the Cape Cod Rail Trail and Orleans Main Street. We have decided that this wall would be perfect to show our Mid-Cape pride and community appreciation through something we all value: art. Mid-Cape will be hosting a contest for one local artist to paint the Mid-Cape 125th Celebrator y Mural on Main Street, Orleans.*

CONTEST GUIDLINES

There is a $25.00 entry fee that will go toward supplies, organization, and execution of the contest. Please provide a full-color draft using your preferred medium no later than August 28th, 2020. Mid-Cape team members will vote for the mural that best embodies Mid-Cape’s long history. Winner will receive $1,500-$2,000 in prize money. The final amount will be dependent on size and detail of the mural selected., along with the opportunity to showcase your art in a public place. The artist should be a local, Southeastern Masschusetts artist. The winner will be announced Tuesday, September 8th, 2020. If you choose to enter, please contact marketing@midcape.net for submission details.

www.midcape.net • (800) 295-9220 @midcapehc

*approval from the Town of Orleans is required. @midcape