That was a terrific rehearsal last night at Kol Ami! And the reports from the percussion section were also positive. Thank you for your flexibility in moving to the new rehearsal space, thank you to Rachel for helping to acquire it, and a special thank you to Eddie Herko for overseeing the chair setup and re-setup.
We’re back at TMH next Monday, March 21, and then there’s no rehearsal on March 28 for spring break. I will continue to work in-depth with the four major works on the program, dissecting the pieces and sharing the form/thematic analysis that helped to make last night so successful.
To celebrate these great rehearsals, I hope you’ll enjoy this amazing rendition of the March from Holst First Suite, performed by Jordan Moore on ocarinas and euphonium. Yep. Ocarinas and euphonium. (And chest bumps for bass drum.) Enjoy!
The rehearsal Monday evening will be in the Chapel, at the rear of the Kol Ami property. Drive past the main building (where we played in November) and park in the rear parking lot. As you look to the back of the property, the Chapel is the smaller building on the left, while the Gymnasium is the larger building on the right.
We’re setting up in the Chapel. BE SURE TO BRING MUSIC STANDS! I’m hoping the light will be sufficient, but if low light is an issue for you, bring a stand light. The chairs are padded and very comfy, but many have low arms. I don’t see this as a problem, but I do want to make you all aware.
I’m as frustrated as an Amish electrician at this point. After the first go-round, they found malware on my site, and it was supposedly fixed (I pay a monthly fee for Sitelock security and maintenance), but it’s baaaaaaack. I’ve copied this in an email for Claudia to forward to you all. If you also get this blog post, please let me know. It will help as I continue to work out this problem.
Rehearsal at Kol Ami (WW/Brass) and Eastchester MS (Percussion) on Monday NOTE TIME ADJUSTMENT BELOW AND BRING MUSIC STANDS
After some communication glitches, we learned last month that TMH was not available for March 14. Rachel acted quickly to secure White Plains High School again, but it is not possible to relocate there. So we are going to bunt:
Woodwinds and Brass will rehearse with me at Kol Ami (site of the November benefit). We’ll be using one of the auxiliary buildings at the back of the property. Imagine that we’re rehearsing at Versailles, and will be using either the Petit Trianon (Chapel) or the Grand Trianon (Gymnasium). [Work with me folks, I’m trying to make the best of this.] I’m meeting Rachel at Kol Ami on Sunday morning to assess the two buildings, and then we’ll send a second message out on Sunday. And it will be obvious on Monday evening. Just follow the crowd. PLEASE BRING MUSIC STANDS.
Percussion will rehearse at Eastchester MS, a familiar site, led by Mark.
IMPORTANT: We are restricted to 7:00-9:30 pm at Kol Ami. So I need to ask you to please arrive a little earlier than usual, as close to 7:00 pm as possible, so we can set up right away and be rolling by 7:15 pm. I’ll stop by 9:15 pm so we can strike our setup and clear the building by 9:30 pm.
Looking at the podium as half-full, we’ll make good use of this week to focus in quasi-sectional work, here at the beginning of the cycle. It’s perfect. I really planned it this way all along.
Monday, March 14, 7:00-9:30 pm Site: Kol Ami (WW/Brass) 7:15 pm – Tull/Chant of the Phoenix 7:45 pm – Mackey/Kingfishers Catch Fire 8:15 pm – Smith/12 Seconds to the Moon 8:45 pm – Cuong/Moth
Monday, March 14, time TBA per Mark Site: Eastchester MS (Percussion) Please focus on Tull, Mackey (2nd movement), Smith and Cuong, according to your needs.
Sam Kaestner will solo in May
This week I learned that our basset horn soloist, Jim Ognibene, had to withdraw from our May performance, for personal reasons. Our clarinet soloist, Kristen Mather de Andrade, immediately suggested Sam Kaestner, the bass clarinetist of the West Point Band, and he has agreed to take Jim’s place as the second soloist. Kristen and Sam will make a dynamic duo, and I continue to look forward to performing this piece by Mendelssohn.
CD’s
Our 2014-2015 compilation sounds amazing, but don’t take my word for it — ask members who have listened. Yet, relatively few members have purchased their copy. Anticipating similar member sales from previous years, we purchased enough copies for everyone. And this is an important fund-raiser as well. Please consider bringing $30 on Monday (checks payable to WSW), to pick up your own copy.
Thank you all for making the adjustments for Monday. I’ll see WW/Brass at Kol Ami at 7 pm, and will look forward to hearing a great report from the percussion at Eastchester.
LATE BREAKING ADDITION: Monday is 3.14 — Pi Day!
Bonus for reading the entire post!
Thank you to everyone for a truly wonderful concert experience last Sunday. Congratulations to Marc for his performance of the Alfred Reed, and to our incredible percussion section – Mark, Eric, Nate, Chris, Nick & Jessica – for their phenomenal display of talent! I have several specific thoughts to share, but I’ll wait until Monday.
Brian Worsdale wrote and asked that I pass this on to you:
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.
Rehearsal on Monday
We’re rehearsing at TMH this Monday, and will read through the entire May 14 program at that time. See the posted rehearsal plan.
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.
