A swan song for two local physician singers

While general surgeon, Peter Hopewood, MD and ENT specialist, Douglas Mann, MD have spent their careers using their medical and surgical expertise to take care of patients, there is another side that also brings out their compassion: bringing their caring and joy to a greater audience.

For the past 18 years the two Falmouth physicians have been singing together, with the last 12 years as members of the five-man a cappella group, Notescape. What began as a larger group, known as the Falmouth Mostly All-Male men’s chorus, the 12-15 members eventually pared down to just five melodious voices in 2010.

The group will be disbanding after their final concert on Sept. 4, 2022, from 4 pm – 6 pm at Highfield Hall in Falmouth. The quintet will sing their final concert, accompanied by the Monomoy Seven jazz group.

“This will be our swan song,” said Dr. Hopewood.

Dr. Mann will be retiring to California to be with his new grandson expected to be born in October. A couple of the other members want to spend more time with family.

Their Journey with Music

At a recent rehearsal on a comfortable summer evening at Highfield Hall, I experienced the sounds of their wonderful harmony and listened to a couple of my favorite songs in the process.

During a break, the group reminisced about their time together in this group and shared some insightful stories about their experiences singing.

Dr. Hopewood, who is a second tenor, acquired his singing prowess in the Bronx in New York City, where he grew up in an Italian parish and was a member of a boys’ choir. In addition to his singing, he has become proficient playing the tuba and is a member of the Falmouth Town Band.

Dr. Mann sings baritone and started out with his own band in his teens. Later, he was a member of the Brooklyn College chorus and New Haven Chorale. He played leading roles in Man of La Mancha, Bye Bye Birdie, and Annie Get Your Gun before moving to Falmouth.

The director of the group is Tom Goux, who sings bass and is a retired music teacher after 38 years in the Falmouth and Barnstable school systems. Peter Clark, their tenor, is former superintendent of the Falmouth School District, who has a long musical background. The group’s fifth member, Joe Hackler, who also does sound for the group, is a Woods Hole research scientist and has sung in ensemble groups.

“We are a band of brothers,” said Dr. Hopewood.

Singing for a Cause

The group has raised money to help support local non-profits, uplifted the spirits of those confined to nursing homes and joined forces with Troy Clarkson, a chef, to offer a complete evening auction item with dinner and entertainment in one package.

This helped to raise more money for charities and it offered the group an opportunity to have a more intimate experience with a small audience.

“It is very personal when we are singing in someone’s parlor or in a dining room full or people. Sometimes, they are people we have never met before. Other times, it could be friends and families who we have met through our professions,” said Goux.

“Songs go right to the heart,” said Dr. Mann. “At Christmas time, we would go around to the nursing homes. At one nursing home, we were on a floor with residents who didn’t talk or react, sitting in their chairs and not responding. When we started singing, they came alive and started singing with us. This is such a great memory, it’s amazing!”

They describe their music as rooted in the 30s, 40s, 50s and forward, including that of Gershwin, the Mills Brothers, Elvis, doo-wop groups, Dean Martin, Beatles, Beach Boys, Manhattan Transfer, Billy Joel, Carole King, the Chiffons, and others.

They have showcased their harmony at Falmouth Academy, in Plymouth, Woods Hole, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Maritime Museum at Battleship Cove, Highfield Hall, JML Care Center, Atria at Woodbriar, Heritage Falmouth, and more.

Bittersweet Endings

“I am going to miss being with these guys every Monday night,” said Dr. Mann. “It is like being with brothers. I am going to miss being together, working and collaborating, hearing our harmonies when we get it right and it is so good. All songs express emotions and when you get it right - the music and the work - when everything comes together, you feel the emotion. There is a lullaby we sing that I’ve had tears well up in my eyes, my throat closes, and I can’t sing it because it is so touching.”

“I am going to miss the camaraderie of the group and the community outreach,” said Dr. Hopewood. “Practicing on the Cape is a youthful situation because you can have fun, it’s a beautiful place to live, you can go to the beach, you can play golf, ride your bike, and just go out and smell the flowers. It really is different than being in the city; we don’t have to drive ourselves as hard. We are so lucky to be here and grateful.”

As the rehearsal began to wind down around sunset, I couldn’t help but think of all the wonderful and memorable moments this group has shared over the years.

True to a swan song, they will be giving their farewell concert in style.

Tickets for the Farewell Summer Concert are members $15, non-members $25, and are available at register online or by calling Highfield Hall at 508-495-1878 ext. 2.