Welcome to our 37th season! I have lots to share today, so crack open a beer or pop a cork, and read on! All this information is important for a successful first rehearsal on September 9.

• Assistant conductor named
• Rehearsal and performance schedule
• Season repertoire and music downloads
• ForScore
• Dues and Band Camp
• Fundraising call to arms
• Slack
• One more job opening
• Herko production at Chappaqua PAC

Jessica Stein-Natale named Assistant Conductor

I have named Jessica Stein-Natale as our assistant conductor, with unanimous board approval, effective immediately. When I realized that naming an assistant would be helpful for many reasons (especially as a safety net for me as my mother continues to age), Jessica was the clear choice. She is an excellent musician and I am very proud of her work, both as a member of the trumpet section and as our apprentice conductor in February 2023.

Please join me in congratulating Jessica and welcoming her to this new role!

Rehearsal and performance schedule

Our rehearsal date requests have been submitted to Karina, and she has noted the first conflicts. Please bookmark this Google sheet to keep track of future rehearsals and alternate rehearsal site planning.

Our first rehearsal is Monday, September 9 at TMH. Be sure to download/print/save all nine music selections and bring them to rehearsal. See below for downloading details.

Looking ahead: We will hold sectionals for everyone on Monday, September 16, with woodwinds and brass meeting at Irvington Presbyterian Church (please bring a music stand) and percussion at TMH.

Season repertoire and music downloads

• You can preview the entire season, with sample recordings, on this preview page.
• Section leaders can view instrumentation details on this Google sheet (go to the “Inst” tabs for each concert).
• Download your parts for the first rehearsal and Fall concert from this Google Drive folder. I’m still working through coding and labeling some scans, so if you don’t see all nine title folders, they may still be held in the “Not ready” folder. As I publish this post, 3 of 9 are ready; I will continue to work through the weekend to publish the remaining folders, but I wanted to get this post out today. My goal is to have all parts ready for download by or before Monday, Labor Day.

ForScore

Many of you have opted to move to digital folders for rehearsals/performances. ForScore is the leading iPad app for downloading, organizing, and reading digital parts in rehearsals. Although it is easy to use, it can be tricky for the uninitiated. The board has taken a couple steps to help players who are interested in using their iPads and ForScore for rehearsals:

1. Jessica Stein-Natale created an incredibly helpful PDF with simple-to-follow instructions and tips. Check it out here. Note that you need an internet connection to download your parts, but once imported to ForScore, you can read everything in your library without Wifi.
2. We will hold two clinics to answer questions and help players with hands-on guidance:
   1. Thursday, September 5 at 7:30-8:30 pm, via the Zoom link below — just log on to join Tom Sweezey, Chris Carbone, and other power users.
      ForScore clinic with WSW:
      https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86297001923?pwd=PPpt7Jtkbz5gg87vEG0CWfK5GkIyse.1
      Meeting ID: 862 9700 1923 Passcode: 4scoreWSW
   2. Monday, September 9 at 7:00 pm at TMH, in person before our first rehearsal begins at 7:30 pm. Please help set up your chair/stand first, then meet in the front left rows of the orchestra seating area.

Dues increase and Band Camp

UPDATE: For the first time in twenty years, the board has voted to raise our membership dues, raising the annual amount from $100 to $125. (If we were keeping up with inflation, the increase would be $160.) These additional funds will go directly into our general operating fund to defray concert costs.

IMPORTANT: In return for this increase, every member will receive access to digital concert recording downloads via Band Camp at no charge. The age of CD’s has passed, and this will enable us to distribute our concert recordings for member review much easier and much more equitably. Watch for announcements about album downloads.

Fundraising volunteers sought

Few people like the words “fund raising.” In fact, no one wants to think about money when you just want to play your instrument. But, there are some hard realities about our WSW finances that we must address, and fund-raising simply must be part of the plan. We are not asking the members of WSW to make additional donations, but we are looking for a significant team of people from the band to spearhead our planning. It doesn’t have to take inordinate amounts of your time when we know you’d rather be practicing.

The request right now is to figure out how you can say yes to join our efforts. The board heard a presentation this summer from a professional fundraiser who has great ideas, and we want to actualize them. We need you! Please step forward and let us know you’ll participate – speak to any board member or reply to me directly to volunteer (or use the new Slack workspace — see below — to send your message).

Slack

Slack is a popular workplace communication app that offers messaging, file sharing, and project planning features. It is known for its ease of use and customizable interface. The WSW Board has been using Slack for many years, eliminating long, confusing emails and allowing us to comment and reply in themed threads. Best of all, it’s free!

In order to offer more transparency and open communication, the Board has opened a dedicated workspace for all WSW members. You can use Slack to:

• Communicate directly with me or any board member
• Offer a suggestion
• Volunteer for our fundraising committee
• Quickly see weather cancellations, traffic delays, or site changes
• Offer a gig
• Advertise member-based performances outside of WSW

If you already use Slack at work, this is an easy addition to your current dashboard. If you’re joining for the first time, know that signing on is easy. There are downloads for Macs, PC’s, iPhone, iPads, and Android devices, or you can access it from any browser. And best of all, you can configure your preferences so you get an email when there is a new post — eliminating the need to constantly monitor your account.

To join, click here and create an email/password login, or use your Google credentials. If you have any questions, contact me by email reply, or connect with any board member.

Another job opening

Thanks to Marc Perler for passing this along:
The Mt. Vernon City School District has a current  opening for a Music Teacher at Benjamin Turner Middle School. Contact Doris Dapaah, School Principal, for additional information, 929-505-1154 or DDapaah@mtvernoncsd.org.

Herko production at Chappaqua PAC

Ed Herko and his wife Michelle, Artistic Director for State of Play Productions (Westchester County’s newest playwright incubator), invite WSW and their guests to a staged reading of the three-time Tony nominated Broadway hit comedy ‘POTUS, Or Behind Every Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,’ by Selina Fillinger. One night only, it starts at 7:30PM on Friday, September 13 at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center (doors open at 7PM). Michelle is presenting this in partnership with the League of Women Voters of New Castle.

Michelle moved her NYC theater company State of Play Productions to Westchester in 2023 and is developing and producing full length plays in Westchester. Proceeds raised are going to produce two full length original works in their 2025 season. Tickets are available at  https://stateofplayproductions.eventbrite.com/

Michelle is offering WSW members a special $15 courtesy discount by using discount code WSW for $45 tickets. There will be light bites, a specialty cocktail, wine, beer and a non-alcoholic option. There will also be a video installation of State of Play Productions both past and future.