Bellingham trumpeter practices coronavirus social distancing with ‘sunset serenades’
With a stay-at-home order still in place in Washington state, one musician has found a unique way to practice social distancing while doing what he loves.
Pace Rubadeau, a 43-year-old trumpeter, has been performing what he calls “Sunset Serenades” at the Bellingham Municipal Court parking lot every evening at 7:30 p.m. since March 23.
“It started because both my partner and I work in the service industry full time and were laid off about a month ago,” Rubadeau told The Bellingham Herald. “I’m a person who has always become most inspired being able to connect with the community around me but also being thankful to have played an instrument like the trumpet that can sort of project.
“We’re just playing it safe and doing all the necessary things just to not only protect ourselves but for everyone around us, just by kind of staying home and being thankful for each other’s company in this home that we found. But there’s a parking lot right across the street and it just seemed like something I could do to bring a bit of light into this dark time.”
Rubadeau began playing the trumpet in middle school and became more passionate about the instrument in high school. As a veteran of the U.S. Army band, he has played in all 50 states and across four continents. Rubadeau has lived in Bellingham since November 2015.
At the end of each sunset serenade, Rubadeau concludes his performance with “What a Wonderful World,” made famous by Louis Armstrong, much to the pleasure of the residents in the surrounding homes.
“People responded to it really well, hearing catcalls from across the way and people biking by and that’s been consistent every night since,” Rubadeau said. “There have been a couple of nights where it’s been like a drive-in movie theater where people just park their cars at a distance and not even get out of their car sometimes, just yell thanks through the window and it’s been incredibly cathartic and special. I’m so grateful for these moments and look forward to when we can actually walk up to these people and thank them with a handshake, high five or a hug.”
To commemorate one month of performances on day 30, Rubadeau streamed his performance live on Facebook, eliciting many positive comments.
“My son lives a couple of blocks away and has been telling me how much he’s enjoying this,” Facebook user Lisa Brogan wrote. “He didn’t realize where you are.”
Many other comments include messages sharing love for Rubadeau and his sunset serenades.
Rubadeau has been performing every evening for over a month, which leads to the question of how much longer will he perform.
“Honestly I’ll keep it going for as long as I feel comfortable,” Rubadeau said. “I mean, safety is the priority and connecting with people from afar is what it’s about. But also it’s important to just make sure that it’s done at a distance.”
Rubadeau can be found on social media on Facebook and Instagram.