I think my fears of losing TMH on Monday to the snow date for the children’s theater have passed. This system seemed to generate nothing but rain in the mid-Westchester area, and I’m sure they will not need to schedule a snow date on Monday. 

On Monday, we have both of our guest artists joining us. Trish Cornett will be coming up from Temple University to conduct her set of three piano-inspired pieces (Bolcom, Copland, and Grainger), and Josh Pierce will join us to play the Rhapsody in Blue for the first time. Note that we’ll set up as normal for the 7:30 start, then move the piano into place before the Gershwin.

I’ve added the press release and concert flyer to the Resources page. Download and share them liberally. I’ll also be bringing 100 printed copies of the flyer for distribution at rehearsal Monday, In addition, Rachel will have tickets available for sale on Monday as well.

The concert is two weeks from tomorrow, Sunday! See you all on Monday! 

This week, important news for all:

• We are rehearsing at Bethany Arts Community in Ossining on Monday. Details below. IMPORTANT: YOU MUST BRING A MUSIC STAND!
• Margaret Flood, former WSW clarinetist, has organized a FREE Conducting Symposium at University of Miami, featuring our friend Emily Threinen
• Trombones sought for Westchester Chamber Soloists Orchestra
• West Point brass concert tonight at 7:00 pm

Rehearsal Monday in Ossining

Here is the detailed information Ed Herko shared as directions/details to Bethany Arts Community, where we are rehearsing on Monday. Please note the directions, and we’ll see you there on Monday evening. The rehearsal plan is posted.

Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining, can be accurately found on Waze, Google maps and MapQuest using this address. Note that Somerstown Road is also known as Rt 133.
Upon entering BAC property (note there is a 1-way loop with an exit and entrance), proceed up 1-way driveway to parking lot on backside of building.  Doors will open at 7:00 pm for our 7:30-9:45 pm rehearsal. We have the space until 10PM.
IMPORTANT: Please bring a folding music stand. If you have lighting concerns, bring a stand light, just in case. Each player may be asked to sign a simple hold harmless release upon entrance. We will advise where to place cases upon arrival.

Directions from Southern Westchester / Tappan Zee / Cuomo Bridge: Take Saw Mill or Sprain Brook (North) to Taconic State Parkway (North) crossing over onto Rt 9A (North). Proceed 1 mile and bear left remaining on Rt 9A to avoid Rt 100 exit on right. About 300 yards after 2nd traffic light on Rt 9A, exit and turn Right onto Rt 133 (Somerstown Road).  Proceed 0.4 miles to BAC entrance, which is immediately after Cooper Drive. (See 3rd picture below). BAC is 13-15 minutes from Tappan Zee / Cuomo bridge.
Rt 9/9A south from Peekskill or Croton: Take Rt 9 South and exit left onto Rt 9A south after passing thru Croton. Proceed up Rt 9A thru 1st traffic light (Rt 134). Take 2nd exit after Rt 134 light (1st exit is Ryder Road) and make right at end of exit ramp onto Rt 133 (Somerstown Road). Proceed 0.4 miles and make right into BAC immediately after passing Cooper Drive.
From Taconic Parkway (Southbound): Exit at Millwood, proceed thru traffic light at end of the exit up the hill on Rt 133 (Somerstown Road). Continue 1.4 miles.  BAC entrance is the 2nd BAC opening after Tavano Road (on left.)

Map from south:

BAC is between Cooper Drive and Tavano Road:

One-way Entrance to BAC from Rt 133:

Former WSW member, Margaret Flood, organizes FREE symposium

Many of you will remember Margaret Flood, who played in WSW through 2009. Margaret moved to Florida, received her masters degree and is now finishing her doctor of musical arts degree.

She has organized the first Frost School of Music (University of Miami) Young Women’s Conducting Symposium, which will be held this May 2-3. Emily Threinen is the instrumental clinician and Amanda Quist is the choral clinician. Although it is named as the Young Women’s Conducting Symposium, it is “open to everyone, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression.” There are 20 instrumental fellows and 20 choral fellows, and the symposium is FREE OF CHARGE to the fellows and observing participants. (Cost of travel, hotel, and meals is the responsibility of the participants.)

Read more about the Symposium itself, and more about Margaret and her work. So proud of our WSW alumna!

Westchester Chamber Soloists Orchestra seeks trombones

I had previously reached out to our membership concerning trumpets for this ensemble. This new orchestra is now looking for three trombonists to perform Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, at their opening concert in March. The first rehearsal is Thursday, January 23 in Hastings-on-Hudson. Their long-term repertoire focus includes lots of classical and some baroque repertoire, with some 19th/20th century works interspersed. The orchestra will be conducted by Allan Murray. See details and contact information at:
http://www.studio-hollywood.com/westchester_chamber_soloists/index.html
or contact me to put you in touch with their Personnel Manager, Kate Ashby.

West Point concert tonight at 7:00 pm

David Church passed on this information he received regarding a brass concert at West Point tonight at 7:00 pm (snow date tomorrow at 3:00 pm):

We’re kicking off our winter Masterworks Concert Series with a program featuring our brass players and guest conductor Robert Ponto.

Feast your eyes on the stunning setting of West Point’s Cadet Chapel, and your ears on the rich harmonies and soaring melodies of renowned composers like Bach, Brahms, and Holst — plus familiar favorites from Elton John, Bjork, and the Harry Potter movies.

Saturday, January 18, 7:00 p.m.
Cadet Chapel, West Point, NY
(Snow date: Sunday, January 19, 3:00 p.m.) 

For more information, visit the West Point Band site.

I just returned from Somerset-Berkley Regional High School in Somerset, Massachusetts, where I conducted the 2020 Southeastern Mass Sr. District Band. It was a terrific festival with outstanding, hardworking players, who gave a great performance of Hazo Ride, Whitacre Sleep, and Reed Armenian Dances, Part 1. A dream program in many respects!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

At least we’re not worried about a snow event this week. I ran errands with the top down today; it was so warm in the sun. So TMH should be very comfortable for winter cycle rehearsal tomorrow night. See the rehearsal plan that is posted. 

We hope to have a plan in place for next week when we meet Monday night. We knew that TMH was not available, but all of our backup venues are closed for MLK Day, and we will have to punt. But we’ll have a decision in place by the time we gather Monday. See you then.

2020 is here!

This ensemble has been rehearsing through 5 decades — the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s, and now the 20’s. That’s pretty amazing. I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and you’re eager and ready to play some great music again.

Midwest Clinic

I had a wonderful time at the Midwest in Chicago. I lost track of how many concerts and clinics I attended. I heard some great new works, and spent time talking with composers and potential future guests. We had a grand celebration after Mallory Thompson was presented with the 2019 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor.

Among the many friends and colleagues I saw in Chicago, I had the chance to visit with both Darryl Bott and Todd Nichols, and learned that Darryl officially retired on December 31; Todd is now Director of Bands at Rutgers. This means that WSW has had 4 of the Big Ten Directors as guest conductors over the past 12 years: Darryl Bott and Todd Nichols from Rutgers, Emily Threinen from Minnesota, Mallory Thompson from Northwestern, and hopefully we’ll be adding Rodney Dorsey from Indiana to that list next season. 

Grainger House

This past Monday I visited the Grainger House again, this time with Michael Markowski, Jasmine Britt (Brooklyn Wind Symphony), and Dr. Joanne Heaton (from Melbourne, Australia). That place is like an onion; every time I visit I peel back another layer and learn more and more. Next year, in 2021, they will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Grainger’s arrival in White Plains (1921) and the 60th anniversary of this death (1961). We’re planning a collaboration with the Grainger House in May 2021 to celebrate these anniversaries — more on that as it develops. I’m grateful to Susan Colson and Anne Ocone for giving us the grand tour! (Click on the photos below to open and expand them.)

Enjoy the weekend — see you Monday at TMH for a prompt start at 7:30 pm!