Schedule/new music

Remember that there is no rehearsal tomorrow. (I canceled it by announcement at rehearsal on January 21.) Enjoy the evening off!

We’re prepping the music for the ACB Convention and Spring Concert and will distribute that at rehearsal on Monday, February 11. We will hold off on distributing Caramoor music until later in the spring.

Opportunity/Invitation from The Grainger House

I received this invitation from Susan Colson, a member of the Board at the International Grainger Society. Susan and International Society President Barry Ould attended our 30th Gala Concert to hear Lincolnshire Posy, and they were on hand at the Grainger House when Jack Stamp and I went there in May 2018. I can’t accept the invitation to help because of Masters Recitals on May 5 and plans to visit my mother in Pennsylvania on May 12 (Mothers Day, for reference). If you’re available, interested, and intrigued, I am sure it will be enjoyable. There’s so much living history in that house, and the Board there is really doing great things to re-enliven the program there. If you’re interested, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with Susan.

Dear Curt,

Writing to let you know about two upcoming events that Percy Grainger America is planning in May—and to ask you to be part of the hosting committee. If not you, someone you In Westchester Winds?

On Sunday, May 5, professor and pianist Rick Masters is presenting a concert.  Rick visited 7 Cromwell Place many years ago and the then-archivist allowed him to play Percy’s Steinway.  He never forgot the experience and contacted us last year and asked if he could come and play some of Percy’s concert gems in a public concert.  Planning is underway, and Rick will play Percy’s Steinway on Sunday, May 5 at 4 pm at 7 Cromwell Place.  A reception will follow.

Penelope Thwaites, concert pianist and editor of The Percy Grainger Companion, will play and present an “Illuminated Talk” (a format that Grainger himself pioneered) about Percy Grainger and his mother, Rose.  This Mother’s Day event is planned for 4 pm on Sunday, May 12.  Again, a reception will follow.  As part of our Grainger House restoration, we are planning to be well along with our plan to have Percy’s and Rose’s rooms restored to their 1920’s setting.   

Each of these events will have a $20 attendance fee. We are exploring adding sponsorships (something we are new at!) to help us with the house restoration costs. We would love your help to make these events a success. If you would like to be a part of this event, as well as future events, we would be most grateful if you would accept this invitation to be part of our host committee, and

• Join us for the event

• Share (and let us) your name as a member of our host committee and help promote the events. 

• Invite your colleagues, friends, and neighbors to attend.

Your involvement will help us spread the word and really make an impact.

Sincerely,
Susan Colson
International Percy Grainger Society and Percy Grainger America

So there was more news today — The American Prize announced its list of semi-finalists in the Band/Wind Ensemble Conductor category. I’m honored and humbled to be on the list in the community band/wind ensemble category. But the important thing is this: without you, I’m just the guy waving his arms with his back to the audience. So thank you — each of you — for making this possible.

If you read through the list of university conductors, you’ll also see Joe Higgins, who is our guest conductor in May.

So we’re 2 for 3 so far. The final category is the Ernst Bacon Memorial Prize, I submitted our recording of Michael Daugherty’s Brooklyn Bridge for that nomination. So we’ll see what develops with that.

What a week! Thank you all again!

Reflections on Saturday

I am so very, very proud of your performance on Saturday! You made incredible strides from Wednesday to Saturday, and absolutely nailed it! The positive energy on stage was palpable. From the start, I could feel your determination and focus filling the stage. I could write on and on about each piece, but I will save that for later, because I have to share this news . . .

WSW is a Semi-finalist for The American Prize!

You may remember, back in September, I announced that I had submitted three applications for us for The American Prize competition. The first of our three category announcements was made today: we are one of six semi-finalists in the community band division! Read the blog post announcement here, or visit their main website.

Last year, the finalists and winners were announced in June/July, so we may have to wait a bit for final results. But for now, we are definitely in the running. So, congratulations! Your amazing work and immense dedication has been recognized!

Next rehearsal: February 11

We’re off until Monday, February 11. We’ll have new music ready to go at that rehearsal. Until then, stay warm! And congratulations again!

There’s no snow! So I think we’re ready to roll! See my notes below about the sound check tomorrow, which must start promptly at 6:00 pm.

I thought the Zdechlik, Gjeilo, Villa-Lobos, de Meij, and Williams sounded great on Wednesday. But between the curve balls we had with the stage preset for a film, and the head-on realization of playing all three movements altogether, it was not an ideal dress rehearsal for the Reed. Yes, it’s a long, involved, and complex work, but so well written, and so deserving of what this ensemble brings to it. So I have posted a specific plan for 8 sections in La Fiesta that I want to review during the sound check. Please check that plan so you’re prepared for the work we still need to do. Two of these sections ask for you to sing rather than play, as I am conscious of how your chops are affected right before a concert.

The TMH staff is pulling the piano, setting up risers/shells, and bringing up all chairs/stands and percussion. I’ve asked that the crew have everything in place by 5:00 pm for us to finalize the setup and prepare. If you can, please arrive early to help finalize the setup. But I’d like to ask everyone to be in the Hall by 5:45 pm, so everyone can warm up effectively without rushing, and facilitate our downbeat start at 6:00 pm. Please remember to allow plenty of time to park. Having the bank lot open again will certainly help, but don’t assume a space will be waiting for you lat minute. To be honest, we do not have a good track record for having 100% of players in seats and ready to play at the announced sound check time — so let’s change that with this concert.

Enjoy the day — see you tomorrow. We’re going to have an amazing concert!