Ticket sales for Caramoor start today. If you are interested, go to https://tickets.caramoor.org/public/. I’ve tried to communicate with our contact since December, but have gotten no response, so I have not been able to ask about any kind of priority in regard to ticketing, on the lawn or in the Venetian Theater. I will still pursue this with him, but if you have family who want center row down front, you should act soon.

I used alliteration to highlight just how serious I feel! My high school English teacher would be so proud!

We had so many challenges this cycle: the two-week Christmas/New Year break, the constant question “Where are we rehearsing this week?”, the last minute soloist substitution and illness of our guest conductor on concert day, the snow, more snow, even more snow, the difficulty of the repertoire . . . the list goes on.

But you all proved something very important today. From the first chair soprano squirrelophone to the last chair sub-bass sarrusophone, you came together as a team, as an ensemble, as a community to make outstanding music together and truly connected with our audience. You turned your back on all the things which could have prevented you from playing your best, and embraced the opportunity to be outstanding. The large crowd on an “iffy” weather day is more proof that our audience believes in you and believes in your ability to consistently astound them. This is why I thought it was important to point out to the audience that you are not amateurs, you are pro-am’s, who embrace challenge and push through with courage and high musicianship.

You welcomed Chris and made him feel right at home. He commented over and over again that he was so surprised by the warmth and welcome you provided him, unlike some other solo experiences he’s had. You honored Amy with your performance of the Hackett, remembering and maintaining the details she requested during her rehearsals with you. You gave Matt the best reading of the Ticheli to date with a convincing and emotional performance. And most importantly, you let go and allowed yourselves the permission to succeed today. This is paramount, and this is something that is important to remember and revisit in the future.

Enjoy the post-concert glow — you certainly earned it. I’ll be posting over the next three weeks to engage you with links to recordings and important information about the pieces we’re about to tackle for May, and reminders of our upcoming rehearsals for our May 17 concert. I will see you again on Monday, March 3 at TMH.

Thank you and congratulations!

I have unfortunate news. I spoke with Amy Wilcox this morning. She started to feel ill on Thursday morning, worked through it at her musical theater pit rehearsal Thursday evening (the reason that she could not attend our re-scheduled dress rehearsal), but felt worse through yesterday to this morning, and went to the doctor. She has bronchitis, but worse, she also has conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) and is contagious through tomorrow. The doctor even recommended that she stay home from school on Monday. So please join me in offering our best wishes to Amy for a quick recovery.

This means, of course, that she cannot attend or perform with us tomorrow. In the wake of this news, I will conduct the Hackett. Since Amy cannot come tomorrow, there is no reason to ask everyone to come in early. So I’m moving our setup time back to 12:30 pm, and our downbeat time for the sound check back to 1:00 pm (the usual times for Sunday afternoon concerts). I intend to stop by 2:00 pm to give everyone a full hour rest before the concert begins. The saxophone section had graciously offered to foot the bill for pizza for everyone, but we are also canceling that. We’ll take the saxes up on their kind offer another day. So please eat before you arrive.

The forecast is calling for light snow in the late afternoon/evening, accumulating 1-3″ by Monday morning. So I think we will dodge that bullet.

Rest up, play a little today to keep your chops in gear, and invite one more neighbor to the concert. Remember to leave a little extra time to find parking in the snow, and we’ll see you tomorrow at 12:30 to set up, 1:00 to start our sound check.

The TMH administration asked me specifically to announce: Tomorrow evening, please do not cross the yellow safety tape put up along the side street. There is ice falling from the roof, and the tape was put in place so no one attempts to use the side doors, under the falling ice. Please use the front door or back stage door only. Apparently some players broke through the tape on Tuesday evening. Please respect the implied warning and use the front or back doors only. Thanks.