Northshore Concert Band At Home: Katie McCarthy
Today’s feature is the eighth in a series of interviews with Northshore Concert Band members. Learn more about these talented musicians in each fun, thoughtful, and often touching feature.
This picture illustrates the extent of Katie McCarthy’s activities outside her house during the month of April, 2020.
Today’s member is Katie McCarthy.
Katie has been a member of the Northshore Concert Band for 2 years. She is a software developer and plays Horn.
What part of your shelter-in-place have you come to appreciate the most? The least?
The most: slow mornings with good coffee and no commute. The least: Being unable to make or experience music live.
What’s something that you miss that surprises you? What’s something that you don’t miss that surprises you?
I miss the general calamity that is Chicago's public transit; mostly because I miss feeling safe near strangers. I don't miss having an overly-busy schedule.
What have you been stocking up on (that isn’t toilet paper)?
Really good coffee beans (Just Coffee Co-op! amazingly ethical company and amazingly delicious)
Is there something you’ve been putting off for a long time, but are now doing with this time at home?
Reading! And house projects.
Please briefly share your history with NCB - how & why you joined, etc.
I first played with NCB in 2011, when I was in Gail Williams' horn studio at Northwestern. 2 other NU students, me, and Gail performed Konzertstuck. But I actually joined NCB in 2018, the year of my career change from freelance musician to software developer. I knew it was going to be a really tough year for me, getting used to playing less and becoming a professional in a completely different field. NCB became my musical family and helped me find my love of music again.
COVID-19 has forced NCB to cancel the second half of our 2019-2020 Subscription Season. What do you miss most about NCB rehearsals and performances?
I miss Dr. Thompson yelling at us (it's a love yell). I miss her musicality, and how she continually inspires us to realize our own musicality. I miss my weekly carpools with Peter Gotsch, where we catch up on our families, music, the world, and of course, do a healthy amount of NCB gossip. I miss the hangs at Meier's Tavern every week after rehearsal, staying up too late, and waking up each Thursday morning tired but so happy to be part of a meaningful community.
Please share any thoughts that you may have about the Northshore Concert Band.
With high expectations, fantastic direction, good planning, and dedicated members who are willing to grow and be challenged musically, NCB is a vibrant example of what a "lifetime of music" can mean. Anywhere there are musicians who want to come together to become more than they can be individually, and ultimately put some good out into the world, deserves to have an organization like NCB. I sincerely hope this group continues for generations to come.
How Katie McCarthy feels about quarantine life, April 2020.
So much has happened in our world. Concerts have been canceled and our musicians and administration are now sheltering in place and working from home. For the health and well-being of our musicians, staff, and supporters we are working in accordance with the CDC and Governor Pritzker’s guidelines. Music is more important than ever and we look forward to the time that we can share our music with you. During this unprecedented time, subscribe to this website and follow us on social media for NCB updates, member interviews, music news, and more.
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