Imagine an exhibit hall like this... Just massive. And I mean massive. But I developed a plan: the Midwest clinic gives you this bible of a program book. Literally 2 inches thick! I just ripped out the map page and voilà! I know where I'm going. Plus, I went through all of the vendors and marked the ones I wanted so I wouldn't get sucked into wandering...(it's still so hard!) But in my travels in the exhibition hall, I met one of my favorite people (whom I've never met before)! Jason Heath, host of the amazingly cool podcast Contrabass Conversations! If you love the bass, you have to go to his site at www.contrabassconversations.com. I am totally a fan and loved getting to talk with Jason in person! I know he was thinking: 'who is this lady up in Alaska???' Check it out! I had a dizzing array of classes today that were, again, wonderful. I got to hear a wonderful string orchestra from Maryland and watch a panel of my favorite composers. If you heard our performance of It Takes One to Tango, then you will remember the composer Brian Balmages. Even if you don't, we love his music at East as well as Bob Phillips who was also on the panel. I also got to get into the band directors bag of fundraising tips from some great clinics on motivating students and the community. Lots of stuff to bring back there. But the day wasn't done yet! By chance the Chicago Symphony was playing tonight and anyone and everyone from Midwest was there. I ran into Doug Droste, our All-State conductor from last year. Midwest is great for networking! I love that people are always shocked to see me when they remember where I came from... But take a look at Symphony hall. You could literally hear a pin drop in this place: The CSO played the Beethoven Violin Concerto and Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 with Nikolaj Znaider both conducting and playing the violin solo. It was an amazing concert!
But the best is left for tomorrow!! STAY TUNED!
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AuthorI am the proud Orchestra Director of the East High Orchestra program in Anchorage, Alaska. We are the most diverse high school in North America! Go T-birds! ArchivesCategories |