We’ve been spring cleaning, and I have just discovered that I have some extra copies of the GIA “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” CD’s. If you’re not familiar with them, this is an excellent resource for Middle & High School repertoire. If you would like to have them for yourself or your school, please let me know, and I can bring them next Monday. These four sets are available:

• Band, Volume 3, Grades 2/3
• Band, Volume 3, Grades 4
• Band, Volume 5, Grades 2/3
• Orchestra, Volume 1, Grades 1-3

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No rehearsal this Monday

As scheduled, there is no rehearsal tomorrow night. I know there is a trumpet sectional that has been scheduled by the trumpets (Yay!). Please feel free to gather your own sectional if you wish!

The questionnaire form regarding Exchange activities will be coming this week. An informational email will be coming from Rachel before we send out the form, to explain the activities and our plans. Please reply to the form by next Monday, so we have answers from 100% of the members before our next rehearsal.

When my site was down . . . .

You may have missed these news items when my site was down in early March. Here are some important items, repeated:

Job posting

Bob Bennett asked me to share this job opportunity:
Camp Seaside in West Harrison (right outside of White Plains) is looking for a music instructor for the upcoming summer season. Pay is flexible, but instructor can expect to make at least $2400 for the summer season. Interested applicants can contact Nick Galasso at ngalasso11@yahoo.com for more info. It really is a wonderful camp with great kids and a nice, easy summer gig.

Thank you from Brian Worsdale

Dear Curt and the Westchester Symphonic Winds,
I want to thank you all for your wonderful music making as well as your amazing reception to my time with you. It is truly a pleasure to play for people as dedicated to fine music making as they are to the idea that music making doesn’t stop because you don’t earn a paycheck from it.
Watching Mark conduct the opening work and hearing the amazing percussion soloists as well as an AMAZING performance of Holst and a KILLER Aurora Awakes were just some small examples of the musical motivation you gave to me.
Thanks again and I wish you all the best!
Most sincerely,

Brian Worsdale

 

WSW YouTube page

I shot videos of the concert again from the audience right balcony. Ben Acrish helped me with starting/stopping the camera this time, and I am indebted to him. We have two unfortunate aspects:

• There was no way to shoot the video head-on, and so only half the percussion section can be seen during the Daughtrey. I’m so sorry. Did any percussionist spouse or family shoot any head-on video?
• The battery ran out 2/3 of the way through the final march. Aaaargh. This kills me! So I won’t be posted that video.

We will, however, have an outstanding audio recording of the entire concert, courtesy of Rob and Richard.

I’ve uploaded all the videos to the new WSW YouTube channel (thank you, Chris Larsen!), and slowly I’m editing/trimming and adding titles. When they’re all uploaded, I’ll create a playlist for this concert. So far, the Daughtrey documentary, and the performances of the Daughtrey, Tull, and Markowski are available for public search and viewing.

We’re back at TMH this Monday, March 21. We have rehearsal this week, but none next week, March 28. The rehearsal plan mirrors our work last week, and pulls in the percussion.

The Exchange Committee will soon be sending out information about the Exchange Weekend (June 17-20), including our need to find homestay hosts and airport transfer drivers, combined social activities on Saturday morning, and the concert/reception on Sunday. When sent, we’ll need replies from 100% of the membership in a timely fashion.

I don’t think this early spring snow event will impact us on Monday. Famous last words. But please do check your email just in case after 3:00 pm. See you Monday night!

The University of Minnesota just announced this afternoon that Dr. Emily Threinen (WSW guest conductor in 2013 & 2015) will succeed Craig Kirchhoff as Director of Bands, beginning August 29, 2016.

Emily met her husband, Luke, during their freshman year at Minnesota. This means they will be returning “home” after many years of academia in several other cities. Their first child, Penelope, was born this past November, and will have her first birthday in her parents’ native state.

Click here for the press release from the University of Minnesota.

Please join me in congratulating Emily!