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Monday, December 8 at UUFNW

As discussed last week, on Monday, December 8 we will have a full rehearsal at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Westchester (UUFNW), 236 South Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Everyone must bring their own music stand — thank you.

Take a look at www.uufellowship.org/ to see details about the church. The purpose of this rehearsal is to audition the space as a possible long-term rehearsal site. We also need to assess the space they’ve offered for storage of our percussion equipment. They are looking for a consistent weekly long-term tenant, and our contact at UUFNW has attended several of our concerts, so WSW fits the bill.

I found UUFNW right away on my first trip there. GPS worked well using the Bedford Road address, which is 1.0 mile west of Exit 4 off I-684. When you pull in, there’s a large parking lot ahead of you, beyond the drop-off circle. From the parking lot, take the path on the right side of the building to the main entrance at the far end of the path.

Percussion/large instruments – You’re welcome to use the secondary entrance on the other side of the building, which leads directly into the Sanctuary. I’ll ask our host to open that door as well. See the building map here. “Hand carry percussion” is the rule of thumb for the evening, much like when we’ve rehearsed at Knights of Columbus.

The rehearsal plan is posted. I’m also posting the UUFNW Rehearsal Audition form here now. We’ll take some time together at the end of rehearsal to give you time to share thoughts and feedback, but please also use the form to share your reactions.

Leaving TMH

Monday, December 15 is our final Monday night rehearsal at TMH. Regardless of where we land for future Monday night rehearsals, we must get the music stands out on December 15. Please plan ahead for that date:

• Please come to rehearsal in a vehicle in which you can take two stands at the end of the evening.
• Horns: We will ask you to take your sound reflector in place of one of those music stands.
• Percussion: We’re asking everyone to take more than one stand so you don’t have to. You’ve got enough on your plate with percussion equipment. Eric has a plan.
• Everyone: The idea here is that everyone will help to store the stands until February, then bring them to TMH for the dress and concert. We’ll repeat the same plan in May.

Our WSW-owned chairs and risers will remain at TMH, and their crew will store them in the annex building until needed for the February and May concerts.

Volunteers needed on December 20

Eric has booked a truck for Saturday, December 20. We’re looking for volunteers to help that day at 1:00 pm to help load the remaining percussion out of TMH, follow the truck, and help unload at [destination TBA] for upcoming rehearsals. Speak to Eric or me to volunteer.

Matt Podd concert

Matt, who we first met at Caramoor in 2014 and was our accordion soloist in 2022, asked me to share this information about his concert coming up on December 14 at 5:00 pm in Manhattan. Matt and his friend Darnell White have put together a vibrant program with a fantastic choir and band. (Ironically, as you can see, the concert is being held at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.)

Also, Matt & Mimi Hilaire were booked by Caramoor for a set of Afternoon Teas in December. All performances have sold out, but I wanted you to know anyway!

This week

• Sectionals on Monday at IPC & TMH
• Rehearsal venue update
• For the Wordle addicts
• ‘Tis the season

Sectionals this Monday

As announced, we are holding sectional rehearsals this Monday. I am grateful to Jessica and Eric for their help. Woodwinds are rehearsing again in the Annex at Irvington Presbyterian Church, the brass in the Parlor at Irvington Presbyterian Church, and the percussion on stage at TMH. The rehearsal plan is posted.

Rehearsal venue update

Members of the board toured another possible venue this past week. We are holding discussions online about our plan for December 31 and beyond. Keep these points in mind:

• Possible – We may change locations for the Monday, December 8, in order to audition a new space.
• Very likely – As mentioned earlier this fall, we may be asking everyone to take one or two music stands home after our final TMH rehearsal on December 15, and then bring them back to TMH for the February and May concerts.
• Possible/no idea how likely – If push comes to shove and we don’t confirm a new location with storage by December 31, we may be looking for member volunteers to “adopt” one or two percussion instruments for the period until we confirm a new location with storage. Temperature-stable locations are most desirable in order to protect the equipment.

For the Wordle addicts

November 29, 2025

‘Tis the season

If you don’t get it right away, just say it out loud.

Rehearsal Monday at New Rochelle

The rehearsal plan is posted. I’ve learned from band director Scott Byers that you can use 11 Braemar Avenue with your GPS to navigate to tennis court parking entrance.

Note that we are reading a new work by Michael Markowski at the start of rehearsal. This is a special set of warm ups he wrote for all levels of ensembles. I offered that we would “try it on for size,” and report back. Member band directors may find this to be a unique addition to your own groups’ warm up routines.

Upcoming rehearsals

Refer to the home page for the upcoming schedule of sectionals and schedules. We have three rehearsals remaining before the winter/holiday break.

New venue update

The board is touring the JCC Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale on Tuesday, as a possible rehearsal/storage site. We will keep you posted as to what we learn as the December 31 move out date draws near. Rehearsal sites starting in January remain tentative at this time.