Winter read-through

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This week:

  • The plan for Monday’s rehearsal
  • A wealth of Husa materials and an exceptional recording
  • My thanks to Ben and the Area All-State directors/students
  • TEDx Talk published!

Monday’s rehearsal

Following up on last Monday’s discussions, we’ll read through the entire Winter program on Monday evening — as they say, “through hell or high water.” Bring seatbelts, an open mind, and an open heart. The rehearsal plan is posted. 

Husa materials for perusal

As promised, click this link for the Husa/Prague PDF. It includes all the materials that I have collected to date about Music for Prague 1968. This is more than you could possibly want, but then again, many of you often surprise me! Please use the handout from last Monday to note measure numbers with rehearsal letters throughout the piece before Monday’s rehearsal. The PDF includes:

  • The Instrumentalist interview with Karel Husa, September/October 1992
  • Several newspaper articles about the composition
  • Analysis by Husa
  • Analysis by Bryon Adams,The Instrumentalist, October 1987
  • Husa obituary (I handed this out last week)
  • Table of measure numbers/rehearsal letters (handed this out last week)
  • Revised/simplified percussion parts for the Interlude
  • Analysis by Samuel D. McIlhagga (February, 2002)
  • Interview with Mr. Husa (1988)
  • Motifs/themes (handed this out last week)

Michael Lucke shared this exceptional recording of Music for Prague 1968, performed by the North Texas State Wind Symphony, with Gene Corporon conducting:

I. Introduction and Fanfare:

II. Aria:

III. Interlude:

IV. Toccata and Chorale:

 

Gratitude

I am grateful to Ben Acrish, Festival Coordinator, and all the WCSMA members in the band who prepared and sent students to this past week’s Area All-State Band at SUNY Purchase. The rehearsals were long and tiring, and I pushed the group to the extent of their potential, but the results were truly impressive. The group really peaked at the performance, and for that I am truly grateful! I also offer my thanks to the SUNY Purchase PAC staff who made the evening’s transitions so smooth, and to Ricky Myint, Band Chair, who managed the group during the rehearsals and performance.

TEDx Talk

My talk, Framing Failure, was published this week on YouTube. If you have 18 minutes to spare, I would be most grateful if you’d give this a viewing. If you are so inclined, please give it a thumbs up, share a comment, and (most importantly) please share the link with friends and family. It’s not an “idea worth spreading” until it is shared!

Thanks for watching. See you on Monday!