LOUD AND PROUD: CMAC PUMPS UP THE VOLUME IN GREATER ROC
- emmaalexander2
- Aug 26, 2025
- 2 min read
From global artists to hometown memories, CMAC is more than a stage—it’s a musical haven in the heart of the Finger Lakes.
You’re sitting on the lawn, staring at the stage. People shuffle back and forth carrying last-minute drinks. Everyone’s tingling with anticipation. Suddenly, the stage lights go out. The crowd screams. The only light is the golden sun as it sets behind Canandaigua Lake. Then the music begins.
At the Constellation Brands—Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC), music is more than just an artist on stage. It’s a shared experience, a communal connection and one of Greater ROC’s most treasured gathering places.
For many, CMAC is the soundtrack of summer. For Tammy Boglione, volunteer usher coordinator, it’s also home.
“One of our biggest draws is that it’s a beautiful area. We live here and we don’t take it for granted. People come here and they’re just in awe of our area.”
Tammy has been part of the CMAC family for years, helping coordinate hundreds of volunteers who greet guests, guide concertgoers to their seats and make sure every show runs smoothly. To her, the secret ingredient of CMAC’s magic isn’t only the music—it’s the people.
“Everybody works together. That’s our vibe here; we’re a family, and that’s kind of how we built it.”
That sense of family extends beyond the audience. Tammy describes how CMAC makes it a priority to treat artists like they belong, too. “We make it a priority to make them feel ‘You are it. We want you here. Our crowds want to hear you.’”
Music has a way of weaving itself into life’s most meaningful moments. For Tammy, CMAC is a stage not only for world-class concerts, but also for personal memories she’ll never forget.
She recalls the night Train performed, with opening act Edwin McCain. “When we got married 23 years ago, we used his song for our wedding song,” she shares. “So Ted and I shared a little dance right-side stage last night.”
Moments like these aren’t rare at CMAC. Whether it’s fans hearing their favorite artist for the first time or couples celebrating milestones under the stars, the venue is a music-driven memory maker.
“Music is a universal language,” Tammy reflects. “I would say most everybody can tie something in their life to music.”
For those outside the region, CMAC showcases the best of the Finger Lakes: rolling hills, vineyard views and an energy that can only be described as pure Greater ROC spirit. For those who live here, it’s a point of pride—a place to call their own.
Put another way: CMAC is an icon that proves culture, natural beauty and community can exist in harmony. And when the lights go out and music picks up, you realize you’re part of something much bigger than yourself.