From the reports I see, it appears that the snow will be heaviest overnight tonight, ending before the rush hour tomorrow morning. We may see some school delays, or possibly closures in the direct zone of heaviest snow, but I am confident that everything will be under control by tomorrow evening, and our rehearsal will not be impacted.

Chris Wilhjelm has written to all the bands participating in ACB to encourage participants to book hotel rooms at the Hilton Woodcliff Lake. Apparently, the anticipated number of rooms booked is way under predictions at this point. I consider Woodcliff Lake, NJ to be “local” for all of us, so I never had any expectations that members would stay overnight (as we did in Syracuse), but if you are interested, here is the information and booking link directly from Chris:

Dear Friends, 

Here is quick convention update regarding our room reservation requirement at the hotel:

Yes, I realize it is possible to find cheaper rooms at another hotel. This hotel however is willing to provide us with a beautiful facility and incorporate it into a discounted room price. If we fail to meet the room requirement it will place an incredible debt on the host.If you haven’t already done so, please encourage your membership to book a room for at least one night. We will gladly comp your membership with additional day passes for every additional night they are booked. (Excepting the evening receptions as we have have an additional charge for these which is worked into the convention registration price).
The link for the convention is www.acb2019.org – there is a link there for the hotel reservation but if you want a direct link to the hotel reservation:  https://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/W/WODHIHF-ACB-20190423/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Thanks, Chris

if you find that you’d like to stay overnight either before or after our performance on Saturday, April 27, please use the link above.

I doubt that we’ll need another communication tomorrow. Unless you hear from me again by noon tomorrow, assume that everything is GO as planned. Stay warm, stay dry. See you tomorrow evening.

I’m very excited to share Barton’s newest arrangement with you tomorrow evening. The score and parts are printed and ready to go. We’ll distribute the parts at the beginning of rehearsal. Remember that this medley is programmed only for the Spring Concert on May 11 at 8:00 pm; this is not programmed for the ACB or Caramoor programs. Several of the vocal soloists will be joining us tomorrow evening, so I can introduce them to you, and they can have a chance to hear the arrangement. (I’ve invited them to come to listen; but they won’t be rehearsing with us until May 6.)

As noted last week, Joe Higgins, from Rowan University, will also be joining us tomorrow evening for his first rehearsal of the Biedenbender. I’m excited to welcome Joe to work with you.

The rehearsal plan is posted. We’ve dodged yet another winter storm — see you tomorrow evening!

Rehearsals

We do not have rehearsal tomorrow night, and will reconvene next Monday, February 25. The plan for our next rehearsal on February 25 has changed just a bit. In order to expedite the schedule for Joe Higgins, he suggested coming up to work on Unquiet Hours with us next Monday, so he’ll be joining us to have his first rehearsal on the Biedenbender at that time. So the evening will start with the Les Miz reading, continue with Joe and the Biedenbender, and close with the review of as many “reprise” pieces as possible for ACB/Spring. I posted a draft of the rehearsal plan.

West Point Band Concert – February 23 at 2 pm

The West Point Band has an amazing program scheduled for next Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 pm in Eisenhower Hall. It includes Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Stravinsky, Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments. This is sure to be a great concert if you are able to attend. Tickets are free, but required to attend. Click the link above for more information.

Wonderful tribute to Rob LaPorta!

Rob is one of our group’s founders, and continues his involvement with WSW as our principal recording engineer. Check out this terrific article published on January 26 in The Newtown Bee about him and his dedication to the recording industry. We are so fortunate to have Rob involved with us, and tending to the careful recording and archiving of our live performances.

Enjoy the time off Monday, or if you’re traveling, have a wonderful and safe trip!

We’re starting up again tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at TMH. The snow which is forecast is not supposed to arrive until after midnight Monday into Tuesday, so we don’t expect any issues. We’re rehearsing the new works that are on both our ACB and Spring programs tomorrow night, expect Les Miz. We will read that at our next rehearsal on February 25.

I have been extremely lucky this week to work with the National Young Adult Wind Ensemble, which will perform tonight at Carnegie Hall. So if I look a little “wind blown” tomorrow evening, that’s the reason. I’ll share photos later. For now, I’m looking forward to getting back to work with you again tomorrow night!