I just came across the Tappan Zee from Rockland to Westchester at 3:30 pm. There was an accident with injuries and ambulances on I-287 just before the bridge, and at the time, only one lane was open westbound. The backup extended well past exit 8 in White Plains.
I’m sure the accident will be cleared before rehearsal, but there’s bound to be residual delays. Please plan accordingly and drive safely!
Bainbridge Cornet Band Photo taken about 1900-1906
I’m heading home today to Pennsylvania to attend a concert of the Bainbridge Band, a community band founded in the 1880’s in my father’s hometown of Bainbridge, a beautiful town on the Susquehanna River south of Harrisburg. The band is interesting not only because of its long history, but also because the ensemble rehearses in its own Band Hall, purchased back in 1920, and its library contains over 7000 titles. Two of my longtime friends from high school play in the band, and one is stepping in to conduct this evening’s concert. I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with this band, in a community close to my own roots.
The Kimmel Center, home of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Tomorrow evening, as I make my way back to White Plains on Amtrak, I’m stopping in Philadelphia to attend the Curtis Institute Symphony concert in the amazing Kimmel Center (my first visit). And why would I single out this particular concert? Because WSW, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the Curtis Institute Symphony all share one important work among their fall repertoire – Pictures at an Exhibition, of course! We are in such great company, and I am truly excited to share and experience another interpretation of this milestone work.
Our rehearsal on Monday evening will focus, for the first time, on the Mussorgsky only. I have spent time over the past three rehearsals breaking up the piece 4-6 movements at a time. As we move ahead, it’s critical to extend our focus over a longer period. The Fall concert will mark our first performance of a continuous 30-minute work, and we can’t wait until the dress rehearsal to address the mental concentration required. I’m still planning Monday’s rehearsal, but my hope is to break up the work into three sections. I’ll rehearse individual movements in detail, then include a run-through of each third of the work as closure. This will be an important step to performing the entire work without interruption less than a month from now.
We’ve had great rehearsals so far in this cycle — let’s keep it up! Enjoy the holiday weekend, and see you Monday!
As announced, we are rehearsing on Monday at TMH. Everyone celebrating the holiday contact should have contacted David to be excused.
If you follow Composer’s Datebook, there was an interesting entry on September 29 about Holst’s The Planets, and the additional movement for Pluto, composed by Colin Matthews, the editor of our Second Suite in F edition.
Just so you know – the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is performing Pictures at an Exhibition, on Friday, October 14. I wish I could go!
Some players have asked about the program for the Syracuse trip. I’m still working on the details, but my plan is to utilize highlights performed on the Winter program, and add works from the Spring program which can be fast-tracked. I’ll publish the program when I come up for air.
All the best for the holiday! See many of you Monday. After Monday, our next rehearsal is Monday, October 10 at TMH.
Unbelievably, this is our last rehearsal in September. I’m concentrating on the 3rd & 4th movements of the Holst and six movements of PAAE this week. Check out the rehearsal order. I constructed the rehearsal plan so players who do not play all of the movements may leave as they finish (but please move quietly to clear your chairs/stands as you go).
Ads!!! Please download ad forms here and promote them with friends, relatives, and complete strangers. Submit completed forms, payments, and digital media to Tom Sweezey, who is helping me collect and organize it all this year. Deadline for submitting ads is Monday, October 17. Please consider pooling resources, taking a photo, and submitting a section ad. It’s a great morale booster and really makes our program book fun!
I’ve updated both the grid and calendar versions of our rehearsals. Please note these changes/exceptions to rehearsals at TMH:
Enjoy the beautiful weekend! But don’t forget to squeeze in some extra practice before Monday!