Sounds of Tabor

Aged, yellowed photo: two female presenting students with light skin and dark hair wearing 1980s-style clothing and leaning over what appears to be a stereo or jukebox speaker — *Students at Beebe Grill, Circa 1985-1986*

Picture yourself stepping into the spotlight. The first notes of your walk-up song start to play, cutting through the quiet and filling the air around you. It’s the kind of song that amps you up, building your confidence with every beat. It makes your pulse quicken and in those few seconds, you’re transported—taken back to moments of pride, times of triumphs, and memories of where it all began. This isn’t just music; it’s your anthem, your story in sound.

Now, imagine if Tabor Academy had its own walk-up song. What might it sound like? For some, the answer might seem obvious. They might assume that Tabor’s walk-up song is the alma mater, its familiar melody resonating with pride and tradition. Or maybe it’s the solemn strains of the Naval Hymn, a timeless tribute to the school’s maritime heritage. These songs are deeply woven into Tabor’s identity—certainly standard in the Tabor playlist—but the sounds of this school go far beyond the formal and the ceremonial. Rather, they are the everyday echoes, unexpected melodies, and sounds that linger in our memories and become a part of who we are, a part of Tabor.

We asked alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of Tabor to share their favorite Tabor sounds, and their responses revealed the rich and varied tones that make this school special, contributing to the soundtrack of the School by the Sea.

Robert Friedman ’68:

Whenever I hear the [Naval] Hymn, I remember Vespers in Lillard Hall on Sunday nights. We would sing other songs but always this.

Anne Gardiner, Learning Specialist: Writing, Reading & Research, ASSIST Center:

Once in Royal David’s City opened Lessons and Carols under David Horne’s direction. Performed from the back of the Chapel first by a soloist, then by the full chorus. Followed by Bruce Cobbold reading with a British accent, it was the perfect start to the season.

Izzie Konowicz ’26, Current Tabor Boy XO:

The sound of the sails flapping in the wind when we set, strike, or tack them on the Tabor Boy. To me, it means the start of something, whether that’s going sailing, heading in a new direction on the bay, or letting go an anchor for the night. It’s the sound of change, of adventure that has only just begun. The sound of everywhere Tabor has taken me.

Robert Boon ’73:

I was a freshman in 1969 and lived in Lillard Upper North. The ringing of the ship’s bell every hour is a vivid memory.

Kara Walsh Palley ’05:

The sound of the skate sharpener in the cage.

Frank M. Stewart, III ’71:

Do they still sound the cannon when we score? There was a tiny cannon, as I vaguely recall; about 18 inches. When football or soccer scored, someone set it off.

Alison Howard Van Keuren ’93:

A ding ding a whappo!” ([Former Faculty Member] Lucien Lavoie’s iconic phrase)

Alyssa Rueb Bracy ’14:

Sunrise silence at what is now Nick’s Lookout. I used to wake up before the dining hall opened and sit here to ‘think’ before my day began with an early breakfast, usually with Duff [Dick Duffy ’56] and I as the only ones there so early.

Sam Lorusso ’91:

Duff yelling, “Go Tabor!”

Lydia Caputi ’14, Associate Director of Admissions:

The click of the dining hall door unlocking and opening after people scan their prox card. I don’t know how to name or describe it, but it’s an iconic sound to me.

David Allen ’79:

Does the time that certain members of the Class of 1979 replaced the 8-track tape of church bells in the chapel with an Aerosmith album count? Asking for a friend … It was indeed a sweet-sounding mix (the sound of non-malicious pranks).

Jill Haas Brandt ’90:

Lessons and Carols voices singing in the Chapel, music playing in the Beebe, talking and laughter coming from the dorms in the spring when the windows are open, the Wednesday noon alarm … love this … takes me back!

Sam Lorusso ’91:

Duff yelling, “Go Tabor.”

Roy Strand ’86:

“Hand on the line … Do it!” - The Duff

Phineas Sprague Jr. ’68:

Sunrise. The geese squawking on the ice in front of Lillard.

Lauren Boucher, Co-Director of College Counseling:

The crows talking to me from atop the MANS. I take early morning walks along the waterfront.

Jim Henry ’75:

The eight-bell clock at Lillard. It would be nice to hear it again. One bell per half-hour. Every four hours was eight bells, corresponding to a ship’s changing of the watch, at 4, 8, 12: ‘clang-clang, clang-clang, clang-clang, clang-clang.’

English Teacher Guy DiNocenza’s 10:00 PM (four bells) Friday night deadline for papers. There would be a mad dash at his front steps right up until the fourth bell. Papers were to be deposited in the metal milk-delivery box outside his front door. When the first bell rang, you could see his silhouette inside the front door, impatiently waiting to gather up the on-time papers. He subtracted one letter grade for every 5 minutes late.

I was a day student and grew up knowing how many bells corresponded to what time. One less thing to learn when I was a Navy officer later.

Grace Culley Adamson ’94:

The sound of the water lapping on the shore outside of my sophomore-year dorm room in Lillard. Man, I had no idea how good I had it!

Alex Erving ’99:

Striking the ship’s bell on Tabor Boy when the mooring line was secure upon returning to Sippican Harbor!

Robert L. Mogilnicki ’76:

Every commencement, for decades, ended with Headmaster Jay Stroud reminding the graduates to “Keep the stars on top.”

Geoff Worrell, Former Trustee:

For me, it’s the Marion fire alarm and how the “vets” of the school learn exactly where the issue is!

Noelle Bita ’28:

My favorite sound of Tabor is the cheering and yelling coming from the Stone Gym during games, including outside on the fields or anywhere in the Fish.

David Allen ’79:

Does the time that certain members of the Class of 1979 replaced the 8-track tape of church bells in the Chapel with an Aerosmith album count? Asking for a friend … It was indeed a sweet-sounding mix (the sound of non-malicious pranks).

Molly McCarthy, Math Teacher:

I’m guessing “leaf blowing Tuesday” isn’t everyone’s first choice?

Brian Kolb ’04:

The horn at the fire station every day at noon.

John R. Steele ’95:

The sound of Magic Carpet Ride on the jukebox in the Beebe…seemed to be on all the time when you walked in.

John Rice ’70:

Being introduced, as an incoming sophomore, to the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Janis Joplin, and the Holding Company. Among many others…

Wes Chaput, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs:

The hum of the Zamboni cutting the ice.

David Allen ’79:

Grace Culley Adamson ’94:

The sound of the water lapping on the shore outside of my sophomore-year dorm room in Lillard. Man, I had no idea how good I had it!

Jesse Hawley, Performing Arts Teacher:

The sound of musical rehearsals from out in the lobby.

Andrew McCain ’84, Senior Associate Director of Admissions:

Whistles. Coaches’ whistles. Ref whistles. Any kind of whistle means something exciting and active is going on. If you are participating already, you’re always drawn to whistles. They are all over campus, in every generation, meaning the same thing. And the person blowing the whistle probably doesn’t even know their power in that brief tweet.

Amy Warner Larkin ’92:

Toby Baker’s countless whistles prompting us to tack during tacking drills every practice.

Eleanor Crow ’92:

Our boat’s coxswain yelling “stroke!” and “wain off!” being the only sound you hear at our 5am rowing practice in the harbor. I’ll never forget it!

Joe Noonan ’13:

The whoosh of ergs inside the Fish and the squeaks from basketball and squash courts.

Christina Watt, Assistant Librarian:

The fire alarm going off. Piercing, shrieking. I have lived through so many alarms going off, at all times. When it goes off, my automatic response turns on: Grab all you need and leave. When it happens in the dorm, you probably wonder what sets it off this time, a cloud of deodorant, a hair straightener?

Eric Mino ’92:

At the [Beebe]—literally every night some mix of Werewolves of London, Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird, Peace Frog, Slow Ride, Lawyers Guns and Money, Break on Through, and any Neil Young song. Whenever I hear these songs today, I’m right back in the Beebe, playing pool, pinball, and laughing all night long.

Jill Haas Brandt ’90:
That is the truth!

Brooke Mackay ’92:
Eric Mino is absolutely right. To this day, Werewolves of London and the opening riff of Sweet Home Alabama—I would swear it comes with a whiff of grilled cheese & fries too!

Julie Przybyszewski, Director of Health Services:

For us at the Health Center, it is the wave sound machines at the HC that allow for more patient privacy.

Bonnie Duncan Punsky ’04, Director of Donor Relations:

The squeaky sound sneakers make in the Stone Gym.

Merry Conway, Former Director of Communications:

The many chapel talks that made us laugh, made us think, showed empathy, and brought us together as a community.

Meghan Barrett Welch ’05:

Lessons and Carols in the chapel. “Once in Royal David’s City” with the lights down and candles lit. I went every year after graduation until they stopped.

Noel Pardo, Associate Director of Constituent Relations:

The halyards on the sailboats on a windy day. Clinking against the mast. That we live next to the sea and the power of nature is so strong.

Robert L. Mogilnicki ’76:

The Slip playing at Spring Fest and on the steps of the porch of Dexter House.

Rachael Beare, Associate Head of School for External Affairs:

Merrick [Brannigan ’26] & friends playing guitar & singing a Zach Bryan song. It was Fall Family Weekend and a large crowd of students, parents, faculty families, and dogs were gathered on the waterfront watching a bonfire, listening to the music, and drinking hot cocoa. Many of the students knew all the words and were singing along. The stars were out, the cold snap of fall was in the air, water lapped gently against the retaining wall, and the fire cracked and popped 20 feet high. Everyone had a smile on their faces. That moment was pure joy, and it’s one of many I think about when I describe community at Tabor.

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Sounds of Tabor