I don’t know about you, but I love Blizzards! So I’m not sure I understand all the fuss this weekend.

The board and I will make a decision about this next rehearsal on February 23 sometime tomorrow. Please stay tuned.

IMPORTANT: If we don’t rehearse, please save 7:30-8:30 pm on Monday for a full ensemble Zoom. Details to follow.

This week:

• Next rehearsal is Monday, February 23 at UUFNW. Bring music stands!
• My conversation with Matthew Maslanka
• Preparing for rehearsal on February 23

First Spring cycle rehearsal

There is no rehearsal again this coming Monday, February 16. Enjoy the holiday!

Our next rehearsal is the read-through of the Spring program on Monday, February 23 at UUFNW. Please remember to bring music stands. If you haven’t already, please bookmark our rehearsal/performance schedule, which is updated in real time when there are changes. This will help you keep track of all rehearsal locations in this round-robin schedule in which we are now working.

If you haven’t already, download your Spring cycle parts here. Please note:

• This program is a little shorter than most, to help us with the demands of the Maslanka.
• The Maslanka sub-folder also includes an Errata in Parts PDF. It’s right at the top. Please find the errata that pertain to your part and annotate them before the first rehearsal.
• There is also a PDF with Additional Clarinet Errata. Clarinets, please be sure to mark these three additional errata as well.

Conversation with Matthew Maslanka

As I told you, Matthew attended our concert in November, and he came again last Sunday. He was so very impressed with your work. After the performance, he told me that he wanted me to call him to discuss the symphony. We spent over two hours on Zoom yesterday, paging through the score. He shared insights measure by measure — it was an amazing, incredible experience. I feel I am so better equipped now to tackle this with his father’s purpose fully in mind.

As part of that conversation, it occurred to me that I am actually glad the pandemic interfered with our 2020 rehearsals/performance. The study I did to prepare for 2020 has had time to percolate and ferment. Our newly admitted members have made the ensemble so much stronger, and this newly found association with Matthew Maslanka will certainly have immense musical benefits.

Preparing for the first rehearsal of Maslanka Symphony No. 4

I full expect that the reading of the Millburn, Sousa, and three vocal arrangements will go smoothly. This will be normal sight reading.

But that is not the case for the Maslanka.

To effectively prepare for our first rehearsal, I must make some detailed practice assignments. As it’s said, “No one should ever sight read Brahms.” Well, no one should attempt to read through Symphony No. 4 without reviewing the entire part. These sections need to be planned, practiced, and full prepared:

• m.84-88: Matthew stressed that this is the most important transition in the work. The integrity of the Eb clarinet, Bb Clarinet 1, Contrabass clarinet, and xylophone are critical to setting up m.88 and everything which follows.
• m.359: Horns need to be prepared to hold this fermata for 20 seconds. I’ll explain in rehearsal.
• m.360-405: All these solos need to be prepared so they can be played effortlessly. Trumpets: Matthew said he will pray for you.
• m.628-645 and m.672-711: This jazz section is what makes this symphony a Grade VII on a 6 point scale. I must ask you to prepare these rhythms with surgical precision so we can get through this without anyone getting hurt at the first rehearsal.
• m.712-731: Clarinets, please refer to the email I sent to you separately.

We have amazing and thought-provoking work ahead of us. I am certain that we are ready to take on this project. I need to ask everyone to stay full committed, fully focused, and fully immersed in this work in order to bring it to fruition, both for us as performers and for our audience.

Enjoy the long weekend — see you a week from Monday.

Winter Concert successes

Congratulations to everyone! I’m so pleased with the outcome of yesterday’s concert. We all overcame the cold, the snow, the limited parking, the 55° breeze on stage, the conductor surgery fallout, the coordination of more conductors than we’ve ever had on a single concert cycle, and difficult repertoire — and you still connected with the audience. I heard so many positive comments that reflected that they really listened, and that makes me very happy. We’ll talk more about the experience at out next rehearsal.

Spring Concert repertoire

All of the parts for Spring are scanned, assembled, and coded; find them here. I usually don’t say “Practice before the first rehearsal!” but I need to say it this time. Here are the two items that need your attention before we meet again on February 23:

• Maslanka Symphony No. 4 – You really need to review the content of this work, which is over 900 measures in one continuous movement. You especially need to actively practice m.628-711, the jazz section. Specifically, this is be-bop, so the intervals are wide, the harmonies are complex, and the tempo is quite fast. It is quite a challenge.
• Clarinets – I will be writing to you by tomorrow with specifics about the auditions for the “Babies” solos, including a link to Manny Ramos’s how-to video and a score of three solo parts. All clarinets are welcome to audition for one of the solos, and you are welcome to audition for more than one solo part.

Congratulations again, everyone! The season’s big finale is coming up!

I just received this from Björn at the Music Hall, and so I’m passing it on immediately:

Curt, just want to let you know we’re struggling to keep the stage comfortable in this extreme cold. We purchased a big warehouse heater, but on days when it’s very cold AND windy, it’s an uphill battle. It does look like tomorrow will be less windy, which will help, but maybe let everyone know to dress really warmly for the concert.

Please feel free to deviate from strict concert black as needed in order to feel comfortable. Layers will help, and heavier shoes.