I got the official phone call today from Paul Rosenblum. They would love to have us back in 2016! However, there is a catch.

Next year, July 4 is a Monday, because 2016 is a Leap Year. So instead of having this concert on a Monday night, we will once again be the featured ensemble on Saturday, July 2 at 8:00 pm. Please mark your calendars now.

I’ll be sending a form in the next few days to ask for your confirmation of attendance at the season’s concerts and dress rehearsals. Watch for that email, click on the link to the post, and complete the form no later than August 10. I will also be posting next season’s repertoire for all six programs as well. It is an amazing lineup, with top-shelf soloists and guest conductors as well.

Congratulations again! I’m thrilled to be returning to Caramoor with you again in 2016!

Congratulations!

I saw a post on Facebook earlier today with a treble staff and a middle C & F – proclaiming, “A Perfect Fourth!” Well, that’s how I feel about our concert last night. Congratulations on really bringing it on full force for the audience at Caramoor! The clearly enthusiastic audience response to singing On the Mall, Chris’s tuba-gymnastics, Ryan’s amazing voice, Rachel’s nailed-it-to-the-wall Stars & Stripes solo, the joy of the 1812 finale, and the integrity of every other composition was palpable. It was a great finish to an amazing season. I am so very, very proud of your work, and continue to be so proud to be associated with this ensemble.

Music Return

There were a couple players looking for Nancy afterwards to return folders. If you did not put your folder in the green bags, contact Nancy directly (email me if you need her number). We need to get the folders torn down asap, so we can start to prepare for the fall.

The 28th Season

As we look ahead at next season, please start to prepare by adding the concert dates and dress rehearsals (below) to your calendars. We will ask for your commitments to return by mid-summer, and send the weekly rehearsal schedule as soon as TMH confirms it. In regard to the beginning of the season, in order to avoid starting the season so late, I am going to schedule two Tuesdays (September 8 & 15) to work around the late Labor Day and mid-month Rosh Hashanah holiday. 

Confirmed concerts for 2015-2016

I learned today that Ryan Silverman will not be able to attend our rehearsal Wednesday night. I have to admit this is disappointing in many ways, but I have no control over this. We are still expecting Matt Podd, however. The rehearsal plan has been revised, and we will rehearse in program order (not with the Podd arrangements first, as announced Monday night).

Regarding Some Enchanted Evening: Those grace notes, which troubled me so much last night, really need to be worked out. Eb Clarinet, 1st & 2nd Clarinets, Flutes, and Oboes are involved. I strongly urge the involved players to come early and have a sectional, especially since the stage is already set up. Spots include m.1, 25, 41, 63. For everyone, the grace notes must be light, quick, and as late as possible. These grace notes need to be ornamental, not melodic. 1st Clarinets should try the alternate fingering for high C# (from B, lift thumb & register key). 2nd Clarinets should play m.41 exactly like m.25 & 63 (grace notes are missing in m.41), and use the quickest and most articulate finger movements possible for this awkward maneuver. Eb Clarinet might try using the alternate fingering for G# (finger F# and just tap the G# key), but it’s important that this be tuned with the 1st Clarinets, who I also have encouraged to use an alternate fingering. All in all, the quicker and lighter the movement, the less intonation can be an issue!

We also have a few members who have been locked out of available tickets. As far as I can tell, the last tickets sold out this afternoon. If you have any spares, please bring them along tomorrow night for potential resale to another WSW member.

This is it! Don’t hold back! Arrive in time to warm up! Come prepared for an epic rehearsal and performance on Saturday! Seize this opportunity for greatness!

I’ve updated the rehearsal plan for tomorrow night. I expect that all of you have reviewed and practiced parts seriously since last week. We need to have a “take no prisoners” style rehearsal tomorrow night (working rehearsal) and Wednesday night (dress rehearsal, with Ryan Silverman attending). Please arrive in plenty of time to help set up, warm up, and be in your seat ready to start at 7:30 pm. We have too many players week after week who do not allow enough time for arrival and warm-up, which only hurts the overall ensemble.

As I noted last week, there are many of you who simply need to woodshed parts. I hope you’ve done this, and have left some time tonight for that final practice before tomorrow. All of us — myself included — are only as good as our last rehearsal/performance. We cannot rest on the 2014 Caramoor performance, or even the May or June 2015 performances. We must continue to work to maintain the performance level for which we have come to be known.

Work hard. Rest up. Come prepared. See you tomorrow night at TMH.