I am sorry that I didn’t have this ready when I sent out the email about picking up credentials at the Visitors Center.

Check out the diagram below. I suggest finding your name, and counting your row and seat from the outside edge to help you find your seat as quickly as possible. Unnamed instruments are West Point players.

Tomorrow’s the day! See you at West Point!

For West Point March 9 personnel only:

We just learned from West Point that someone in the USMA Security Department has decided that everyone entering the campus more than one hour before the concert on Saturday must have security clearance.

We must ask everyone who is rehearsing tonight/performing this Saturday, March 9 to complete this security information form before rehearsal this evening.

NOTE: You will need a government-issued photo ID to complete the form, and you’ll need to enter the ID number from that document. Be sure this is the same ID you present at the security gate on Saturday!

Katherine will follow up tonight with players who do not see this email or are unable to complete the form before rehearsal. I’ll also program my purple card so you can complete the form on your phone as necessary.

It’s always something . . .

Quick reminders and news

• Incredibly, the 12 conductor spots for the Wind Conducting Symposium were claimed within the first 24 hours last Saturday. IMPORTANT: Watch your Inbox for further important news and updates — coming soon.
• I’m sorry that the embedded form for the flashmob performance Ravel’s Bolero did not publish correctly last week. Please click here for details and to register to play on April 9 at The Masters School Prism Concert.
• Congratulations to the members of the Bear Mountain Brass, who performed last evening at the NYSBDA Winter Symposium in Syracuse!

Important info for March 9 performance at Eisenhower Auditorium at West Point

Here is the run-down of the details for this Monday’s rehearsal and next Saturday’s performance. Please be sure to read all of this carefully. Send follow-up questions by email, or speak to me on Monday night.

Monday, March 4 – rehearsal at TMH at 7:30 pm
The rehearsal plan is posted. We will review/rehearse both the WSW program and combined WSW/West Point program rep.

Saturday, March 9 – Sound checks and performance at Eisenhower Hall, United States Military Academy at West Point
11:00 am – Eisenhower Hall opens for us to enter, unpack, and prepare for sound check. Please arrive for attendance check-in with Katherine no later than 11:15 am. I urge everyone to plan extra time for security clearance and finding parking! (See details below.) Like our TMH concerts, I strongly recommend that you arrive dressed for performance. We cannot assume that they will have enough changing areas in the green rooms.
11:45 am-12:15 pm – WSW sound check (Day, Giroux, Markowski)
12:15 pm – Setup conversion to combined ensemble setup
12:30-1:00 pm – Combined rehearsal (Simple Gifts, Sousa)
1:30 pm – Stage is completely cleared, doors open
2:00 pm – Concert downbeat. Concert order: WSW, West Point, Combined bands
4:00 pm (approx) – concert ends, clear stage and hall

Security clearance and access to campus: At this point in time, this concert is considered to be a “special event.” All visitors to the USMA campus 17 years and older will be required to show a government-issued photo ID to access the grounds at the security gate. Linked here is a map with directions to Eisenhower Hall and parking; the same map is inserted into this post below. This map is quite detailed, and I encourage you to examine it carefully before Saturday; you can zoom in with your mouse/trackpad. Additional parking is available on the river side of Eisenhower Hall via Pitcher Road to Upton Road, but the hill is extremely steep, and I do not advise making that parking lot your first choice.

SSG Keith Kile (Spring 2023 tuba soloist) shared these tips for security clearance and parking:

1. Please enter through Stoney Lonesome Gate.
2. Everyone above the age of 17 will need a drivers license or other state-issued ID to get on post
3. All vehicles entering West Point may be searched. A gentle reminder that not all substances considered legal in the state of New York are recognized as such by the Federal Government.
4. Parking is designated on the map below.  We’ll have some spaces reserved for you and your guests with parking needs in the loading dock area of Eisenhower Hall.*
5. Backstage will be open by 11:00 am.

*If you would benefit from a reserved handicapped access parking space or a parking space that you can unload a significant amount of equipment at the Hall stage door, please advise me by Monday’s rehearsal so I can give Keith a total space request count.

Here are two maps that Keith shared with me to pass along. The second shows the stage entrance into Eisenhower that we are asked to use. Click each map to enlarge:

Setting up the combined ensemble:
(This is the procedure for the March 9 sound check and both performances on March 9 & 16):

1. West Point brass will move off stage.
2. West Point staff will add 19 chairs/stands.
3. WSW seated members* will move on stage.
4. WSW standing members* and West Point brass will create a new standing row in front of percussion.
   *West Point Band Ops has determined that the way to do this effectively and efficiently is with some players standing for the two combined numbers. The rough seating chart is below; the seating chart with specific placement assignments will be shared at rehearsal on Monday, March 4.

This is a rough sketch of the combined seating. A detailed plan for WSW members will be distributed on Monday evening.

Additional notes:

• A string bass stool has been requested.
• There are no rules at Eisenhower Hall which prohibit water bottles, so you may bring them on stage as needed. However, we advise everyone to bring only what you truly need onto the stage, to help facilitate quick entrances/exits, especially in regard to the combined numbers.
• Attire is usual concert black (tuxes/bow ties and black dresses/tops and bottoms).
• Please leave perfume and cologne at home.

The call time for Saturday, March 16 at White Plains High School will be announced at the rehearsal on Monday, March 11. We are trying to align the two concerts as closely as possible to keep it simple.

As noted, please email me specific questions, or bring them to the rehearsal on Monday night.