Recap from last night

Thank you for another great rehearsal last night. Shelley Axelson sent me a message after the rehearsal and raved about you. She is so excited to come to work with you again in January, and of course, for the performance. Kyung Hee Kim was also very pleased with our first rehearsal with her.

Chicago Exchange

For those of you who were absent, last night I announced the invitation which has been extended to us by Dr. Mallory Thompson and the Northshore Concert Band of Wilmette, Illinois, to participate in a community band exchange program with them in 2013/2014. If we proceed, we would travel to Chicago in Spring, 2013 (probably early June) to perform on a shared concert with NCB at Pick-Staiger Hall, at Northwestern University (yes, my old “home”), and enjoy some sight-seeing and cultural opportunities in Chicago. We would have options for home stays (no cost) or hotel accommodations (individual expense), and you could choose to participate in the group tour arrangements to fly to Chicago, or choose to drive on your own. In 2014, NCB would then come to New York. We would be asking for volunteers to host home stay visitors, host a shared concert (larger stage venue than TMH will be necessary), host sight-seeing, etc. Many of you asked terrific questions, and there seemed to be a very positive feeling in the room about the invitation. We will have more information in the new year, and will then be polling the group to determine whether or not we move forward. At this initial stage we cannot put a price on the trip; an initial estimate will be put together at the next stage of the discussion, should we definitely decide to accept the invitation.

Sectionals

Lastly, we are planning to have sectionals on January 2. Pending confirmation, woodwinds will rehearse with Matt at the Irvington Presbyterian Church, brass & percussion will rehearse with me at TMH. There is also an option afoot for percussion to rehearse separately at a different site.

The Messiah

As announced last night by Donna Rossi:
Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3 pm
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

featuring: Michelle Trovato, soprano; Carolyn Sebron, mezzo; Jake Armstrong, tenor; and Jorge Ocasio, bass, plus The Bronx Opera Chorus, the Orchestra of The Bronx, and 24 readers from the Bronx Community.

Tickets are $25, $15 and $10. For more information, click here.  Afterwards, enjoy free food from vendors participating in “A Taste of the Bronx”. Hope to see you there!

Have a great holiday season — and don’t forget to practice!