Wow! Everyone really brought their best work to the stage yesterday! It was truly exhilarating! Thank you all for such a fine performance, strengthened by a large and strong audience. And congratulations one more time to Ed Herko, and thank you to Eddie and Suzanne for their sponsorship of the concert.

Ben Acrish wrote me this morning and asked that I include this very kind personal note from him in this post:

Dear Curt and my fellow Westchester Symphonic Winds,

Thank you! Your playing of Metroplex and the whole program this evening was fantastic! I am so proud to be a part of this organization and sincerely thank you for all of your support and effort. We made some great music tonight and I look forward  to our next concert! Curt, it takes a truly confident leader to relinquish so much control. Thank you for the opportunity and for your trust and guidance!

Thanks again,

Ben

No, I didn’t lose the that key to the lock for our library at CubeSmart.

No, Nancy did not find a $1M winning lottery ticket in someone’s folder.

No, the sarrusophone parts are safe. You may resume breathing.

But — when I went to the library today to pull our WSW copy of Salvation is Created, which is on our Winter program, I found that the version we own is a Frank Erickson fantasy arrangement, not the standard arrangement by Bruce Houseknecht, which we need.

Band Director members — if you have Salvation is Created, arranged by Bruce Houseknecht in your school library and you’re willing to loan it to us through the end of February, please email me, and bring the parts to rehearsal Monday. (The version I’m looking for also has Awake! in it, but no one ever programs it!)

I’m writing from Lincoln Avenue in Evanston, Illinois. I’ll be meeting with Steve Cohen later this morning to go over his solo in Brooklyn Bridge in detail.

The week ahead is demanding, and includes:

• Monday, October 30 – rehearsal at TMH
• Wednesday, November 1 – rehearsal at New Rochelle High School (click the link for directions), devoted entirely to working with Steve Cohen, clarinet, on Brooklyn Bridge, and integrating the harp as well, 7:30-9:45 pm
• Saturday, November 4 – dress rehearsal for all works, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at TMH (Note: Markowski will be first, because of travel for Rich; all other works in program order.)
• Sunday, November 5 – call at 1:00 pm, concert at 3:00 pm at TMH

I’m counting on your usual focus and concentration as we pull these last details together, and am looking forward to a great week with you!

It’s hard to believe, but we’re down to the final two weeks before our first concert of the season. Tom will accept any last-minute ads (along with ad forms, copy, and payments) on Monday. This is the final deadline.

Make sure you check the rehearsal plan for this coming Monday, and please be reminded of our final rehearsals:

• Monday, October 30, 7:30-9:45 pm at TMH (Rich Guillen coming again)
• Wednesday, November 1 – rehearsal devoted entirely to working with Steve Cohen, clarinet, and Brooklyn Bridge, 7:30-9:45 pm at New Rochelle High School
• Saturday, November 4 – dress rehearsal for all works, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at TMH
• Sunday, November 5 – call at 1:00 pm, concert at 3:00 pm at TMH

The final week is full and complex because TMH is not available for the Wednesday evening rehearsal with Steve Cohen (he’s coming east early just for us). We’ll be integrated the harp that evening as well. This is why Wednesday evening is at New Rochelle. (Double reeds do not need to attend.)

Lastly, I need help from someone for a graphics project. We need to put a huge ACME in stencil letters on the box Rich brought last week for the Markowski. It might be easiest to paint the stencil letters on a large poster board (36″x36″) and then staple the poster to the box. Please contact me if you’re intrigued and interested in helping.

I’m up here in beautiful Oneonta this weekend with Andy Pease, at Hartwick College. See you Monday.