Yes — the Fall Concert is less than a month away. Let’s get to it!

Rehearsal plans

I’ve updated the Home Page with general rehearsal plans for all the weeks remaining until the concert. Please take a look. As announced, we’ll read the Bernstein – Symphonic Dances from West Side Story on October 16 to help everyone frame the work we’ll do on the next cycle. I also noted Donizetti on October 16; my plan is to dismiss players early who do not play in the challenging “touchy feely” sections of Pedro’s solo, and use the last part of that evening to work with only the players involved.

Ads due on October 23

As I announced, ads are due on October 23. All ads will run in all three TMH programs. Please complete the Ad Form and give to Tom Sweezey. You can share ad copy/artwork (PDF’s are best) by email with attachment to westsymwinds@gmail.com (use subject line Ad Submission) or drop the files in this Google Drive folder.

Did you lose a coat?

This coat was found at the end of our recent rehearsal at Knights of Columbus. Does it belong to anyone? If so, contact me or talk to Marianne Lepre-Nolan.

Good thing we didn’t have any rehearsal planned for Friday, right? I hope everyone got home safely.

This week:

• Rehearsal Monday
• Reaching out to assist Farmingdale HS
• Free reeds for band directors

Rehearsal Monday

We continue our rehearsals on Monday at TMH. I was told that we cannot enter until 7:00 pm because of a scheduled event.We can use the rear stage door, as usual. See the rehearsal plan here.

Farmingdale assistance

If you are moved to make a contribution to the GoFundMe campaign to support Joseph Pellettier, son of band director Gina Pellettier, who was killed in last week’s tragic bus crash, please click this graphic. Donations made through this campaign will directly benefit Joseph. Unfortunately, scam campaigns have already popped up. Please use this link to assure that your donation goes to the right place. If possible add “WSW” after your name to help identify our ensemble’s group effort to assist this family.

Free Bb clarinet and alto sax reeds

Marc Perler, who works at Music & Arts, asked if I could help him offload a large number of brand-new, sealed boxes of clarinet and alto sax reeds to make room for new, updated inventory. I’ve divided his donation into several packages. If you are interested in some of these free reeds for your school band program, contact me by reply so I can prep a package to give you on Monday. Thank you, Marc!

Free clarinet and alto sax reeds

TMH no longer has a conflict tonight

Yes — I just found out a moment ago that the stage is completely clear and we can load in at our regular time. I know many of you have made special plans for babysitters, meals, and transportation. Let’s leave it as this: I’ll be there by 7:00 pm to open. If you can, try to arrive by 7:15 so we can start as close to 7:30 as possible. We’ll start when we start.

This week:

• Rehearsal on Wednesday has been moved back to TMH
• Trumpet paid gig opportunity for tomorrow, 9/23

Rehearsal this coming week is on Wednesday at TMH

The Music Hall contacted me earlier this week to say that the Hall is now available for us on Wednesday, but we can’t enter until 7:45 pm. Considering KoC without percussion with a 7:30 pm start, compared to TMH with percussion with a 7:45 entry, the board and I chose TMH. So we will follow these procedures to rehearse on Wednesday at TMH:

• Please arrive at 7:30 pm and wait as a group under the marquee at the front doors.
• As soon as the crew has cleared the stage (approximately 7:45 pm), the crew will invite us in to start setting up.
• Please don’t enter until we are invited to do so. Once we enter, please set up as quickly as possible.
• Consider bringing your own music stand to speed up the setup process!
• Rehearsal plan TBA. I will aim to get this posted on the home page by the end of the weekend.

I will do my best to finish by 9:45 pm. I’m asking for forgiveness in advance if I go a few minutes over.

Trumpet gig tomorrow (Saturday, 9/23)

From Casey Howard: Looking for one or two players at $110 per player for a short marching band gig tomorrow afternoon in Wappinger Falls. Call is at 1pm, parade 2-3. Sousa marches to be read from lyre books. Dress is white on top, black on bottom. Contact Caset directly if your are interested at 646-373-0084.  (Supposedly rain or shine. Casey is subbing for one of their sax players as well.)