Back to blogging

So here we go, another year, more blogging. I want to thank all of you who actually read my posts, and continue to encourage the rest of you to consider clicking the link in the weekly emails, or just visiting wsw.ebernet.biz on regular basis. I try as much as I can to include information that helps build our mutual musicianship, along with the usual weekly information that keeps our ensemble thriving.

Thanks for great rehearsals in December. I’m especially grateful to Marc Tartell and Bob Bennett for leading the last portion of the final rehearsal, when I took off and joined the percussion section for their sectional at Eastchester. They are incredibly committed to their preparation of the Daughtrey, and they are really ready to go forward with this piece. I’m really looking forward to this performance of Black Rainbow!

Library update

Here’s what our new library looks like at Cubesmart in White Plains. We were so lucky to acquire a unit with the perfect location: next to the elevator, with a wide door, lots of light, and a huge floor space immediately outside the door to allow for plenty of room to work. After Mislav and Uly helped me move all the music from Strauss to the storage unit in August, Liz helped me unpack over 400 titles last month, and pack them into the drawers. A folding 6-foot table and two folding chairs completed our setup. Although we haven’t filled every drawer, we could still use two 5-drawer file cabinets (regular, not legal) if you or your business have file cabinets which have been replaced, and you’d like to donate the old units to the library.

Meeting Nathan Daughtrey

Our performances of current composer’s works now appear on the websites of Michael Markowski, David Biedenbender, Roger Zare, and Nathan Daughtrey. I had the chance to meet Nathan at the Midwest Clinic in December. I had written to him earlier in the month to tell him about our performance of Black Rainbow, and he invited me to stop by and say hello at the C. Alan Publications exhibit booth. It was great to meet him!

I’ve submitted our Mackey performances to John for his website as well. Speaking of John, I saw him along with Eric Whitacre, Jonathan Newman, and Steven Bryant at the Midwest Clinic. They were hanging out in the 24th floor elevator lobby of the Hilton Towers when I arrived there to visit the Northshore reception. (The four of them had presented a panel discussion/clinic titled “Juillard: 1996” earlier in the day, which I missed because of my flight schedule.) I felt starstruck seeing Eric. I smiled with recognition to everyone, and Eric smiled and waved back. I felt like a teenage girl meeting The Beatles in 1964. I literally froze! I wanted so much to ask him for a selfie, but I just couldn’t do it. C’est la vie!

Update on January 25 & February 1

The Music Hall has accepted full-price bookings on January 25 and February 1. In much the same way that Jim used his Port Chester connections to help us get rehearsal time there, Rachel has helped us to get approval to rehearse at White Plains High School. We were formally approved by the Board of Ed in December, and are now in the process of finalizing details for these dates. When confirmed, we’ll share the specifics, directions, etc.

Composers Datebook

If you’re not familiar with Composers Datebook, it’s a daily podcast from American Public Radio. Their tagline, “All music was once new,” really resounds with me. Today’s podcast is about Edwin Franko Goldman’s On the Mall, and is worth the 2 minutes to listen.

Rehearsal on Monday

Which brings us back to . . . rehearsal on Monday! We’re going to focus on the Daughtrey, Tull, and Mackey. Check the rehearsal plan page for the complete rundown, and be sure to find some time to practice over the weekend! See you then!