Thank you for a great rehearsal last night! I am so very proud of your work on this difficult and diverse program. Every week we come closer and closer to what is surely going to be a knock-out concert!

I am so very, very excited to have Peter Sis joining us next Monday. Thanks again to Ben Acrish for putting me on the trail to find him. Take a look at his NYT bestseller, The Wall. We are indeed fortunate to have found someone who witnessed the Soviet invasion of Prague 50 years ago. I really think his visit will put an entirely new spin our our experience with Husa’s masterpiece.

A few of you reported that my posting of the rehearsal schedule over the next few weeks was confusing. I’ve made edits and corrections to make it all clearer. Next week’s Master Class and rehearsal are all at TMH. The following two weeks’ rehearsals (January 22 & 29) will be held at New Rochelle High School. On January 22, the percussion section will gather for a sectional at 5 pm, and Tom McCauley will be on hand that evening to listen to Prague and clinic our work thus far. I know his insights will be tremendously helpful.

I flew down here to Tampa this morning and am giving a clinic on Thursday at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference. It’s in the mid 70’s here and I miss the sub-freezing temperatures of New York. (NOT) When I return, I will drive back up to Amherst, Mass for the second rehearsal and concert of the Western Mass District Band. And then, suddenly, it will be Monday again! I doubt I will have the time to send another rehearsal reminder for January 15, so this will probably be it. I’m looking forward to seeing all the brass players who indicated attendance at the Master Class. It’s open to anyone who’d like to observe, so don’t hesitate to come. And member band directors’ students are welcome as observers as well.

Have a great week — I’ll see you Monday at TMH!