In late 1998 the citizens of the City of Norwalk witnessed something new, a different sort of marriage. Norwalk residents observed with pleasure the "marriage" of Karen Calhoun to the band at Norwalk High School. This was a different sort of Norwalk wedding. It did not start with a walk down the aisle. It began with Karen Calhoun stepping up to the podium in the High School band room.

The relationship between Karen Calhoun and the band at the Norwalk High School appeared in many ways like a marriage. Norwalk residents saw first-hand the degree of commitment that both parties put into their joint endeavors. In many ways their relationship attracted the eyes of locals just as much as any previous or future Norwalk wedding.  It was a relationship that involved one woman with many Norwalk singles.

Karen Calhoun gave more than fifty per cent to those Norwalk singles. She committed herself wholeheartedly to helping the single students in the Norwalk High School band.  By the same token the students were ready to commit themselves to performing as they knew Ms. Calhoun wanted them to. The shared commitment of the band teacher and the band leader produced a new sort of Norwalk wedding.

Granted this relationship had none of the elements of a normal Norwalk wedding. It did not start with a formal ceremony. It did not conclude with the serving of a wedding cake. It did not include any of the music that one traditionally hears during a Norwalk wedding. It was filled with all sorts of loud and brassy band music.

In one way however the relationship between Karen Calhoun and the members of the High School band did take-on the characteristics of a Norwalk wedding. In one way it was like any local marriage. Norwalk press covered the relationship in detail. The press depicted the degree to which Ms Calhoun had motivated the band members. The press underlined the commitment displayed by both Ms. Calhoun and her students.

In February of 2006 the residents of Norwalk anticipated enjoying the fruits of that special marriage. On one Thursday in February the people of Norwalk would be treated to a winter band concert. That concert was scheduled to take place at the Ernthausen Performing Arts Center.

Although the Center had never played a part in any Norwalk wedding, still that center provided a meeting place for many Norwalk singles. That new Arts Center had allowed many students to enjoy the rewards of demonstrating to the community either their musical abilities or their theatrical skills. Karen Calhoun had played a large part in assuring the fact that the Center would achieve its intended purpose.

Ms. Calhoun had committed herself to working with the band members, preparing them to perform at the new Arts Center. In return the band members had committed themselves to working hard on perfecting their musical talents. The commitment of both the band leader, Ms. Calhoun, and the band members had led the press to depict the relationship of the two parties in a manner that was reminiscent of the commitments made following a Norwalk wedding.