Off and Running

Wait, don’t touch that mouse! There are no trips down Memory Lane today. I’ll be Chatty Cathy instead, or whatever the modern day equivalent might be.

The Tour and Home Guard split started today; I don’t know what Home Guard had on the books (a common side effect of the Split), but the Tour Band was off and running with the first Tour Rehearsal.
I like that we begin rehearsals one program at a time instead of shuffling through all the folders during each rehearsal. Not only is it easier to keep the music in the correct folder, but I can get a rough idea of the pacing I will need for the concerts, and practice accordingly. Each rehearsal this week will feature one of the three programs. Today was the Red Folder, Program A.

Just before rehearsal started, John Troxel announced the Passing of the Clipboard for seat selection on the buses. Lisa had the honor of being first to receive The Clipboard.

Nothing like starting the rehearsal with a Db piccolo part to transpose, is there? Powhatan’s Daughter is a hoot, especially the Indian Tom-tom strain. The expressions of those unfamiliar with the march were priceless.

Chris Rose’s percussion solo presents a few ensemble challenges, and other than needing earplugs, I will really enjoy playing that one all the way through tour. Chris is a phenomenal musician and fun to watch play.

Persichetti’s Divertimento is in our standard repertoire. I always have such mixed emotions about playing it, though. It is a great piece with a lot of fun piccolo parts, but I have just enough personal baggage and negative history with it that it will be a challenge for me. My goal for tour is to wipe out the negative memories and to relax enough to enjoy all the movements for a change.

The Devil and Daniel Webster is so new to the Band we only received the parts last week. There are some parts so wickedly awkward, I will probably have to make a deal with the Devil myself, just to find decent alternate fingerings. The Bass Clarinet part is amazing, and Jay played it like he’d had it for months. The piece also uses two alto flutes, and Ellen and Heather sounded like one alto, one you could actually hear.

Between pieces and on the break, people would cluster around the possessor of The Clipboard. Some were just curious about the process, some obviously plotting a strategy to sit near friends. Some of the newest people smirked at the seriousness with which seat selection occurs. (Give them a tour or two…oh, wait, this is the last seven week-er…) As I was packing my instruments at the end of rehearsal, John Norton handed me the clipboard – a new record! I’ve never received it on the first day of rehearsals before. I must be getting old.

I had hoped to sign up for my “usual” seat, but, while it was available, I saw an opportunity to sit in a seat with a clear view to the front without having to be in the front, thanks to the “theater seating” on these new buses. I’m a little curious to see who signs up across the aisle – Deb and I always try to sit across from each other, but she is not on this year’s Tour. I’ll miss her, but I know she is needs to be home this year.