About Us

OUR BOARD MEMBERS
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Conductor - Linda Burton
Concert Master - Linda Johnson
Secretary - Marti Bowen
Treasurer - Michael Reed 
 
Committee Chairs:
Food for the Artists - Linda Johnson
Membership - Judy Bailey-Kinker, Linda Burton, Linda Johnson
Fundraising - Linda Johnson
Grants and Donations - Marti Bowen, Martha Rhodes
Publicity - Karen Williams-McNeil
Programs - Linda Burton
Receptions - Mairi Furniss
Web Master - Mike Dirle
 
Additional Board members include: Dottie Harris, Susan McCreary, Mildred Harden, Michael Dirle
Volunteers always welcome.
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              OUR FOUNDERS Bob and Susan McCreary
20+ years of bringing music to the community
by Sherry Hamilton  Gloucester Mathews Gazette Journal 3/21/23
Susan McCreary and her husband Bob (who passed away on March 23, 2023) recently shared their memories of the early days of Concerts by the Bay, the organization they founded in 2001.
Bob and Susan McCreary founded Concerts by the Bay together in 2001, then spent over 20 exciting years bringing music and entertainment to Gloucester and Mathews.The couple recently stepped down as leaders of the organization after having led it through ups and downs with grace and kindness and sure hands, knowing that they were leaving it in good hands.
Just two short weeks ago, Bob passed away, but not before he and Susan and their fellow board members shared memories of their longtime collaboration. Bob’s illness had not robbed him of his warmth and charm and dignity, and his recollections were integral to the interview.

The two recalled the early days of Concerts by the Bay, with occasional comments from their friends and colleagues who serve on the organization’s board. Susan McCreary said it all began when she and Bob, who at that time lived in Northern Virginia but had a family home on a cove off the North River, attended the last concert sponsored by the now-defunct Community Concert Association, held in Gloucester.
The announcement was made that it was the final concert and that the organization was being disbanded, but there was a petition to try to continue providing professional level concerts locally, and Susan signed it.
That summer, in 2001, the McCrearys moved to Mathews, and they decided to establish a new committee to continue the work of bringing professional concerts to the local area.The initial idea was to revive the Community Concert Association, said Bob, but there was a range of issues that ultimately made it impossible, including no longer having a Gloucester venue for the concerts. So, the McCrearys approached then-Mathews School Superintendent Harry Ward, “and Harry welcomed us,” said Bob. Concerts by the Bay, its new name, would have a performance venue in the newly-constructed Harry M. Ward Auditorium at Mathews High School.
It took about a year to fully organize, said the couple, but people enthusiastically responded to the need for committee members, and the committee met for the first time in the summer of 2001. Among its initial members were Pat and Clement Dickey, Becca Brown, Becky Morgan, Will and Martha Story, Hank and Mairi Furniss, Martha Borden, Jean Haywood, and Bill and Janice Higdon. “People volunteered to be on the committee,” said Susan. “They thought it was a wonderful thing … And nobody was a silent partner. They were there, and they had things to say.”

The organization had no start-up funds, so the McCrearys’ daughter Mallory designed the organization’s logo, and committee members generously reached into their own pockets and came up with the money for the first concert in 2002. It was performed by violinist April Verch, who played Celtic and Canadian music on the fiddle. It was a decided success. “We decided what we always need is a lot of energy and a pretty girl,” said Susan with a laugh.
The Navy Band performed that first year, as well, said Susan, and the committee “had to feed them all.”
Over time, the committee gained experience in selecting the performers, annually going together to attend showcase performances in Nashville by the concert provider Live on Stage so they could see the performers in action. They began to sell program ads to help offset costs, supported generously by local businesses, and sold subscriptions to entire seasons to fund the 20 percent advance payment required for each show. The Mathews Community Foundation and Gloucester Community Foundation became important supporters, as well.
“We sort of learned as we went along,” said Bob. When applying for grant funding, the committee discovered that organizations funding arts efforts wanted to know whether children would be involved, so they started offering children’s programs. All concerts had always been free for children, but now there were programs targeted just for them, supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
Concerts by the Bay developed into “a very vibrant organization,” said Susan. Then in 2020, COVID-19 hit and that year’s concerts were canceled. After a couple of seasons when no venues were available due to Covid restrictions, the organization had to cut back on what it offered, and decided to start offering local entertainment at some of its concerts. “But you still hear people say, ‘this is so great,’” said Susan.
Among the most memorable concerts recalled by board members were pianist Alpin Hong and actress Gloria Loring, both of whom stayed at Susan and Bob’s home. Susan recalled Hong’s energy and his casual attire of flip-flops and shorts when not on stage, and she remembered having to help Loring get her dress zipped up because “she said her clothes had to fit tight to hit the high notes.” Hal Holbrook gave a wonderful performance, said committee member Dottie Harris, but “he was very expensive.”
The current Concerts by the Bay season offered Bobby Blackhat last October, followed by the trio “Hooray for Hollywood” in November and Jeff Little on March 12. The final show this season will feature Grammy-nominated pianist/singer/songwriter Judy Carmichael, who will perform in the technically and physically demanding jazz style of stride piano and swing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 23.
The McCrearys recalled their early days together, when they met in Okinawa, where he was stationed as a U.S. Air Force pilot and she was teaching abroad in an elementary school for American children. Susan was in the swimming pool at the officer’s club, wearing a yellow bikini, and Bob was smitten.
It took several ocean crossings, a lot of letters, and developing a relationship with Susan’s parents before he was able to finally start dating her, but he eventually asked her to marry him “in her mother’s beautiful flower garden” in Newport News. After years of living in various places, the two finally settled in Mathews. They were reluctant to give up their beautiful waterfront home and move away, and even more reluctant to give up their roles with Concerts by the Bay.
Committee member Mildred Harden said, “Susan and Bob ARE Concerts by the Bay.” But, president Linda Burton added, the organization will continue. “Concerts by the Bay is in good hands,” Burton said, “with 14 committee members continuing to bring wonderful music to the community and continuing to offer educational and entertainment opportunities for children.”