This week, we’ll have two guests joining us: Shelley Axelson will be here to conduct The Dream of Oenghus, Part 1, and Lois Hicks-Wozniak will join us to rehearse the Canfield Tarantella for the first time. After the amazing rehearsal with Tom McCauley last week, I’m very excited to have these wonderful musicians join us on Monday. I’ve updated the rehearsal plan. Clarinets: Geoff has called a clarinet sectional (at my request) at 6:30 pm. I’ll be on site, but will stay out of your way so you can work as a section. And remember there is no rehearsal on April 2. Our next rehearsal is April 9 — Caramoor preview rehearsal.

Although many friends are dropping Facebook like a hot potato these days, a former student, Laura Stonisch Polly, from my first year of teaching at NVOT in 1982, shared this video of the Texas A&M Marching Band with me yesterday. After watching this, I’m sure you’ll agree with me: 1) There’s always room for more practice, and 2) Nothing is impossible. Enjoy!

Tom is coming to conduct the Bernstein on Monday. Please review Candide so we can have a great rehearsal with him!

Karina has responded in part regarding the dates for the Winter 2019 and Winter 2020 concerts. I’ll share details when finalized.

Caramoor confirmed that they will give us a discount code for “25% off selected seats for family and friends.” Based on the trend of ticketing from the past years, I think this is the best we’re going to see. My guess is that the discounted seats will be Row P or so to the back, like last year. They are adding this to our contract, so hopefully we’ll see this in the contract again in the future. When they share the code, I’ll pass it on.

Malcolm Dickinson shared this Clarinet Day event on April 22. Please share with your students:

Free clarinet clinic for student clarinetists age 8 to 18. 

April 22, 9am-5pm, on the north shore of Long Island.
http://www.myo.org/myo-programs/clarinet-day/

Looks excellent. Two of the three instructors are world renowned players, one with the metropolitan opera. The chance to play with a clarinet choir of 50 to 100 players in the afternoon will be really unique! Please share with your students!

Here is a one page poster you can print out: 

http://www.myo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-Clarinet-Day-Flyer.pdf

The third nor’easter appears to be headed out way, but by all accounts will not start (as rain) until 10:00 pm, and the worst of it will be tomorrow morning. So, I’m planning to go ahead with rehearsal.

Please plan to start on time at 7:30 pm, and work until 9:30 pm without the usual stretch. We’ll have announcements at the midpoint, but won’t take a break as such. Please plan ahead.

See you all later — thanks!

I hope everyone’s power is back on. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for so many of you for the last week or more. Here’s hoping you’re warm, and didn’t have to light candles to practice this week!

Remember that the Connecticut Symphonic Winds concert is tonight at 7:30 pm. If you live near Fairfield, please consider stopping by.

We’ve heard back from Karina/TMH and hopefully I’ll be able to announce the adjusted dates for the Winter concerts in 2019 & 2020 soon. The Fall & Spring concert dates are confirmed, and I’ve added these to the homepage of this site (check the listings on the far right).

Our rehearsal plan for Monday night is posted. It includes Burns, Grainger (III & IV), Rudin, Canfield, and K-kov. Although the weather reports are flirting with snow conditions, the tide seems to be turning away from snow affecting us on Monday. See you then.