Rehearsal, Dress rehearsal, and Concert this week!

Please check the Rehearsal This Week page for the schedule for Monday’s rehearsal and Thursday’s dress rehearsal.

I recognize that we have had very little time for rehearsal on the Vaughan-Williams; I have prioritized it for Monday. Please make sure you’ve looked over the piece so we’ll have no surprises.

I have struggled with the program order of this program for quite some time. I think I finally found the right workable solution. It is reflected  on both the Rehearsal This Week and Winter Concert Rep pages.

2012 Wind Conducting Symposium

Several of our WSW members have registered as conductors and performers for this year’s Symposium on Saturday & Sunday, June 2-3. If you are interested in playing in the afternoon wind ensemble labs, please go to wcs.ebernet.biz for more information and the registration link.

I’ve reached a tentative deal with Mallory Thompson for another WSW clinic with her on Friday, June 1, 7:00-9:30 pm, at Northern Valley-Old Tappan High School. The clinic will be an official segment of the Symposium. The Board has given initial approval but we must still work out the final particulars, including repertoire. Please mark your calendars now for this important event.

Real-World Solutions for Music Educators

I am pleased to announce that I will be leading a 2-day summer workshop, yet to be scheduled in late July/early August at Northern Valley Staff Development Consortium. Tentatively titled Instrumental Music Education: Real-World Solutions for Improving Your Ensembles, the workshop will target instrumental music educators who:

• have completed their Bachelor’s degree
• have at least one year of teaching experience
• are looking to share their key experiences and find solutions for everyday challenges

The workshop will focus on:

• Utilizing Social-Emotional Leadership skills to enhance the ensemble environment
• Effective rehearsal planning
• Post-undergrad conducting skills
• Technology strategies for better organization and progress
• Repertoire and technology idea pool

Although the workshop won’t receive official approval until later this month, I am allowed to start to announce this program to plant the idea among the groups with whom I work. It will be open to music educators of all states, not just New Jersey.

As I know more about this program, including final dates, cost, and registration information, I’ll be sure to pass it on.

See you Monday!

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that you all enjoyed your holidays and that you are excited for the spring events ahead.

Tomorrow, January 2, we will hold sectional rehearsals, rather than a full rehearsal, as announced in December:

• Woodwinds – will rehearse at the Irvington Presbyterian Church, 25 North Broadway, Irvington. The church is on Route 9 (same as Broadway in Tarrytown), about 1 mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Rehearsal will be in the social hall, behind the main church. Woodwinds must bring music stands!
• Brass – will rehearse at Tarrytown Music Hall. You will use the regular chairs and music stands.
• Percussion – will have a separate sectional, offsite at a time convenient to the five percussionists.

Curt will rehearse with the brass, Matt with the woodwinds, then switch locations halfway through the rehearsal, so both get to rehearse with both sectionals.

Rehearsal repertoire:

• Curt will rehearse Copland and George at both locations.
• Matt will rehearse Hazo, Grainger, and Mailman at both locations.

Thanks, and we’ll see you tomorrow!