First, thank you for a hard-working rehearsal Monday night. July 2 is very close. Please do make time for focused practice before next Monday.

I’ll be writing with more specifics about the next rehearsal, but I had to pass this on. I’ve learned that Paul Rosenblum has announced his retirement from Caramoor late in 2017. Paul was the key figure in inviting us in 2014 (after bumping into Dan Harrison in the A&P), and instrumental in our continuing participation there as well. The Caramoor press release even mentions us:

It was he who created Caramoor’s Independence Day “Pops, Patriots and Fireworks” concert, now a beloved annual tradition in collaboration with the Westchester Symphonic Winds,  .  .  .

We are a beloved annual tradition! Wow! This is a major milestone!

Thank you for all the dedicated individual work and sacrifices which have given us this notoriety. This is truly amazing.

More later in the week.

Our guests from Chicago have already begun to arrive. You’ve received the details for Saturday’s social activities, so I won’t repeat them here. I’ve posted all the details for our sound check and concert on the Rehearsal This Week page. Please read and check it carefully.

We do have rehearsal Monday, and the details are included on the Rehearsal page. In order to continue to be a “fan favorite” (Caramoor’s phrase), we have to be in top-notch shape for July 2.

I’m looking forward to our activities tomorrow and concert Sunday!

Monday is our final rehearsal before we host Northshore on June 19 at The Palace. It is, unfortunately, once again a late start evening following Random Farms. Please arrive at 7:15 pm, gather at the marquee, and then move as quickly as possible to set up when we get the all clear. I felt that last week’s rehearsal got off to a lethargic start, and this trickled down through the entire evening. We have much to do, including the combined Sousa marches, and a run-through of every piece. Please plan your evening responsibly to arrive on time and be ready to chip in, both musically and logistically.

We’re rehearsing the marches first, then Mackey, Zare, and Cuong. On Sunday, June 19, please plan to arrive by 10:30 am to hear/support NCB’s soundcheck rehearsal. Our sound check is 12:00-1:00 pm, followed by the combined marches rehearsal, 1:30-2:00 pm. Everything is listed here.

Enjoy the weekend. I’m flying to Chicago tonight to play on Northshore’s 60th anniversary concert on Sunday. I return on Monday afternoon, in plenty of time for our rehearsal Monday evening. See you then.

We’ve just learned that the children’s theater is rehearsing before us tomorrow night and next Monday. We had no warning about this until the email this evening.

Word from TMH is that we can’t enter the Hall to set up until 7:30. Historically, we’ve usually been able to get in about 7:15, so I recommend arriving at 7:15, gathering under the marquee, and when we can get in, we’ll move as quickly as possible.

Can’t make this stuff up. See you tomorrow.