Thanks for a fine rehearsal last Wednesday, folks! It was nice to be back with y’all. … And just like that, I will be away again (for the last time this session!) this week. You’ll have clinics in the first hour of rehearsal, and Colin will direct the second hour.
We played through Lincolnshire Posy (both movements), Perfection, Soul Bossa Nova, Somewhere/Maria, and Stay Cool, but I only have notes for Somewhere/Maria. Here they are
Somewhere/Maria:
- Bass, low brass, low ww at beginning: play rhythmic pattern with extra accent
- Entrances at mm 5 (trumpets), 6 (alto saxes), 7 (clarinets), 8 (flutes): very deliberate first note
- Flutes: exaggerate the crescendo through m 8 into m 9–you lead this measure!
- Everyone: play with breath accents on slurred passages throughout
- Trumpets at m 17: remove the slurs from mm 17 through 20–use legato tonguing instead
- Everyone: play very staccato (short!) and very light from mm 36 through 41 (but not beat 4 of m 41)
Rondos clinics on March 11:
Flutes, Oboes – Diana Lam – 110
Clarinets, Saxes – Megan Driscoll – Library
Brass – Colin Williamson – Staff Room
Electric basses – Alexander Smith – 143
Percussion – Patrick Lynch – Music Room
Rehearsal on March 18–Scout Hall, Woodroffe UC:
We are good to go for a rehearsal next Wednesday (originally a week off in our rehearsal schedule)! Rehearsal will take place at Woodroffe United Church, in Scout Hall (where we rehearsed on the first week of this session). (My apologies, but I was confused about the possibility of rehearsing at Brookfield HS next week–it’s March Break, so the school’s not available.)
Concert on April 8 at MHI The Haven:
We have confirmed with the good folks at MIH The Haven that we will perform there on Wednesday, April 8. We will add a few tunes (Do-Re-Mi, Mah-na Mah-na, and Finale from Symphony No. 1) from our fall session to round out our programme; I will send out parts for those shortly.
Two Beats Ahead fundraiser for Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind:
The Two Beats Ahead band will be performing at its annual dance/concert fundraiser for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind on Saturday, April 4 at the Orchard View Wedding and Event Centre at 6346 Deermeadow Drive in Greely.
You will have the chance to meet future guide dogs at 7:30pm. Music starts at 8:00pm. Door prizes will be awarded.
Tickets are $20 in advance and may be purchased from the Manotick Veterinary Hospital at (613) 692-3411. $25 at the door; children under 10 are $10.
Cheese plates may be pre-ordered from Canadian Guide Dogs for $10/person. Please contact Guide Dogs at (613) 692-7777 or events@guidedogs.ca.
A printable poster with all these details can be found here.
An important mid-session reminder:
Many people miss a few rehearsals during the winter because of travel, illness, family or work commitments, etc. Everyone tends to feel a drop in energy in February as well. Meeting up to play music with friends is uplifting for the spirit. We are better together, and we need everyone’s contribution to sound great as a band. Remember that your best is good enough. There is still plenty of time in our session before the mid-April concert.
