First of all — Happy Birthday today to David Church!

No rehearsal on April 2

We have no rehearsal tomorrow, because of public school vacation week. Rehearsals resume next Monday, April 9, at 7:30 pm at TMH, with the Caramoor reading rehearsal. This rehearsal will dedicated to Caramoor rep only. All Caramoor personnel should attend; if you’re not playing Caramoor, you do not need to come to this rehearsal. Spring cycle rehearsals continue again on April 16.

Important and exciting news!

I’m very excited to announce that we have been able to secure an important and historical work for band, never performed since its publication in 1929, which I will add to our 30th Anniversary Gala program for May 12!

The work, by John Philip Sousa, was written in the early 20th century when Sousa’s band traveled through New Jersey. At the time, the largest audiences gathered to hear Sousa at the bandshell in Paramus, and he planned to premiere this work there to coordinate with their annual downtown summer sidewalk sale. (These preceded the famous malls in Paramus and were the main reasons for their construction.) Unknown by many, Sousa was fascinated with the serial (12-tone) works of Schönberg, and employed this technique in this particular composition. With our successful performance in February, I know our audience will love this piece!

Composed specifically for the town named in the title, Music for Paramus utilizes Schönberg’s serial techniques for the full instrumentation, but also utilizes the special effects sounds of cash registers and the busy chatter of townsfolk negotiating with vendors. And the best thing of all — the score and parts were a real bargain at less than $20!

Click here to see the parts and hear a recording of Sousa’s Music for Paramus – $19.68.

On Sunday at 3:00 pm, the Chappaqua Orchestra will present a Family Concert in the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. It is subtitled “Music is Science!” and sounds very interesting. Click the graphic for more information.

Tonight, the University of Texas Wind Ensemble will webcast a concert with two important works by Karel Husa — Smetana Fanfare and Al Fresco. Jerry Junkin’s ensembles always present programs of superior quality. If your schedule permits, check it out.

And be sure to scroll to the bottom for an important program note.

On Friday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. CDT, in Bates Recital Hall, The University of Texas Wind Ensemble will present their second performance of the 2017-2018 spring season. We would like to invite you and your students to join us via our HD webcast..

The concert begins with two works by recently departed, Pulitzer-Prize winning composer, Karel Husa. His Smetana Fanfare from 1984 will open the program, and will be followed by his 1975 work, Al Fresco, still sounding as fresh today, over thirty years later, as it did when it premiered. The first half of the concert ends with Professor of Guitar Adam Holzman as soloist in Stephen Goss new, Concerto of Colours. Following intermission, Christopher Marshall will introduce his new work, Mendez. Commissioned by David Hickman for the Summit Brass with the Medez Institute, Mr. Marshall was moved by watching videos   featuring the legendary trumpet virtuoso Raphael Mndez and his twin sons, Rafael Jr. and Robert. He incorporated music from one of their trios, The Brave Matador into his piece, and following the Summit Brass premiere, made a wind ensemble version. The concert will conclude with Aaron Coplands iconic, A Lincoln Portrait, with Professor of Voice David Small, narrating.

If you are not able to join us in person, we invite you to access the webcast by going to:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/batesrecitalhall

To view, click on the “watch video” tab (the program and program notes will be available as well). The broadcast begins ten minutes before the performance. All Webcasts are broadcast live, but cannot be stored due to copyright purposes. We hope to see you live this Friday, March 23,  or on the Web!

The complete program appears below. This concert will last approximately one hour and thirty minutes.

The University of Texas Wind Ensemble
Jerry F. Junkin, conductor
Christopher Marshall, visiting composer
Adam Holzman, guitar
David Small, narrator

Friday, March 23, 2018, 7:30 PM
Bates Recital Hall

Karel Husa Smetana Fanfare
Karel Husa Al Fresco
Stephen Goss A Concerto of Colours
Adam Holzman, soloist
intermission
Christopher Marshall   Mendez
Aaron Copland A Lincoln Portrait
David Small, narrator

Alas, neither concert features any works by significant 20th century Germans.

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