Dear friends,
In my career I’ve heard band directors say things like, “I am so glad that concert is over!” or “Well I’ve gotten that one behind me!.” Or, “I’m dreading this one coming up! “Such has never been my attitude. I thrive on the concert experience. To make music with like-minded musicians, to interact with an audience and to take them on an emotional journey for an hour or so, is one of the great joys of life. I can’t wait for Wednesday night! I’ve been doing it for almost 50 years and it never gets old. It’s not about reaping kudos and appreciation, it’s about giving my heart to you and to the audience.
Will this concert be technically flawless? Well, that part is up to you. You have that capability. If you focus on the baton and not become distracted in this new performance venue, you will have your best chance for flawless. If there are some passages that are simply beyond your skillset at this time, leave them out and play the passages you know you can nail. Somewhere in the band someone will be covering it. That’s who we are. We are not the United States Marine Band,. We are an eclectic group of amateur and professional musicians with a wide range of abilities. Let’s embrace that and encourage each other as we perform and as we continue to rehearse in the coming weeks.
I don’t believe in magic but I do appreciate history and I have a wonderful imagination. On March 1, 1922 the Sousa Band performed in this very venue. Let’s imagine that the walls of the academy absorbed that evening’s performance. Let’s imagine that the spirits of Sousa, Meredith Willson, and those wonderful musicians have been waiting for over a hundred years for someone to take up the mantle, so to speak, to pull out from these walls a great performance. It’s the heritage of the academy and the heritage of our very special arts-centered town.
Let’s come together as ONE in purpose and create an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to make music with you!
Love,
Jim