Taps Across the Water

Echoes of Taps to Sound Across the Lakes on Memorial Day Weekend

By Karen Kroemer, Chautauqua Wawasee

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Honoring a Tradition Rooted in History

Taps originated during the Civil War, when Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day.

In 1971, Memorial Day became a federal holiday honoring service members across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces who died while serving our country.

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A Moving Tribute Across the Lakes

The sixth annual Taps Across the Water Wawasee will be held Sunday, May 24, offering a moving Memorial Day tribute across the lakes. Trumpet players will be positioned around area lakes to perform an Echo Cascading Rendition of Taps. The buglers play Taps twice, with the music carrying across the water for nearly four minutes from shore to shore.

Listeners are encouraged to note the final sustained note, symbolizing the last breath of a service member. The event offers a solemn opportunity to reflect and honor those who gave their lives for our freedom.

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Musicians United in Service and Sound

Dr. Matt Murdock, an educator who resides in Indianapolis and North Webster, has assembled more than 40 buglers and trumpet players for two programs, one in North Webster and one in Syracuse. Musicians include veterans, community band members, high school students, music directors, and professional musicians.

The program is inspired by Jari Villanueva, who retired after 23 years with the USAF Band in Washington, D.C., and founded Taps Across America in 2015. One of Murdock’s goals is to raise awareness about the shortage of live trumpet players at military funerals.

“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. Taps Across the Water gives the students an opportunity to promote this experience personally with the intent of continuing community service after graduation.”

-Dr. Matt Murdock

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North Webster Program Details

In North Webster, a memorial service will begin at 6:15 p.m. at Lake Webster Town Park.

• Musicians will depart by pontoon to designated locations and perform Taps from piers at 6:30 p.m.
• A trumpet ensemble concert of patriotic music will follow at 7 p.m. at the park

Many performers will then travel to Syracuse for the Wawasee, Syracuse, and Papakeechie lakes program.

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Taps Across the Water Wawasee: Syracuse Program Details

In Syracuse, more than 40 trumpet players will continue the tribute on Lakes Wawasee, Syracuse, and Papakeechie.

• A trumpet ensemble concert will be held from 8:10 to 8:30 p.m. at the gazebo at Oakwood Resort
• Musicians will then move to designated locations around the three lakes to perform Taps following a one-minute silence beginning at 9:08 p.m.

Syracuse lakefront restaurants will provide information about the event to patrons. Last year, many diners stepped outside to listen reverently.

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What to Know Before You Go

Please be aware of how the wind affects sound over the lake. We’ve had some years where it is hard to hear Taps because of the wind, which can make it difficult to hear.

An updated map with bugler pier locations will be available closer to the event on the Chautauqua Wawasee Facebook page. This post will also be updated to include the map.

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Where to Listen

Those who do not live on the lakes may gather in front of the Oakwood Resort, at the bridge by the Channel Marker, or at the Lake Wawasee boat launch to hear Taps.