Leo High School band director Colby Stackhouse plays “Taps,” Sunday, May 28, at The Oakwood Inn on Lake Wawasee in Syracuse. Photo by The Mail-Journal.

News Release

SYRACUSE — The annual tribute of Taps Across the Water is set for Sunday, May 26, for Lake Webster, Lake Wawasee, Syracuse and Papakeechie lakes. This event honors United States military personnel who died serving in the U.S. Armed Services. Trumpet players are distributed across the lakes and perform an echo cascading rendition of taps.

With a staggered start, taps is heard across the lakes for nearly four minutes from one side to the other. Participants and attendees share their experience as reverent, contemplative and memorable. Dr. Matt Murdock, an educator who resides in Indianapolis and North Webster, has assembled nearly 40 bugler and trumpet players for two programs, one in North Webster and one in Syracuse. Participating musicians include members of the community and surrounding areas, including veterans, community bands, high school students and music directors and professional musicians.

Murdock makes the point, “We are connected and inspired by Jari Villanueva’s Taps Across America. One of our goals is to bring awareness of the shortage of live trumpet players at military funerals. Jari retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he spent 23 years with the USAF Band in Washington, D.C.”

Murdock goes on to say, “As educators, it is our responsibility to instill in our students, especially those in high school bands, a sense of obligation to our communities. They may not fully realize the services they provide, whether it’s boosting school spirit at athletic events or fostering community spirit by participating in festivals. This event presents the students an opportunity to promote this experience personally with the intent of continuing community service after graduation.”

North Webster

A memorial service is planned for 6:15 p.m. at the Lake Webster Town Park. Participants and sponsors include the American Legion Post 253 and Dixie Sternwheeler. Following the service, musicians leave by pontoon for their designated locations around Lake Webster. Taps will be performed from piers at 6:30 p.m.
Following the Taps remembrance, a trumpet ensemble concert of patriotic music will be performed at 7 p.m. at the town park. The ensemble is composed of the trumpet players who sounded Taps during the ceremony. At the completion of the concert, many of the performers will travel to Syracuse to participate in the Wawasee, Syracuse and Papakeechie lakes program.

Syracuse

Chautauqua-Wawasee, Syracuse American Legion Post 223 and approximately 40 trumpet players are collaborating for a Memorial Day weekend tribute on Lakes Wawasee, Syracuse and Papakeechie. The event starts with a trumpet ensemble concert of patriotic music from 8:10-8:40 p.m. Sunday, May 26, at the Oakwood Resort Inn gazebo. Then the 40 musicians move to their designated locations distributed strategically around the three lakes to play taps simultaneously at 9:09 p.m.

“In addition to notifying the community, we alert the lakefront restaurants about the timing of the event and propose guests observe one minute of silence at 9:08 p.m.,” said Chautauqua organizer Mark Knecht. “One challenge we have every year is the wind which affects how sound travels. People anticipate and plan for this event. If the wind impacts their ability to hear, it’s disappointing.” Knowing pier locations can facilitate hearing taps, visit Chautauqua on Facebook or visit the website which will provide an up-to-date map and list of pier locations.