FINALLY BACK

Hey everyone I am finally over my bacterial infection and headed back on the road. I will meet the band in Boston, play for a week in the New York area and head for Japan for a month. I will try to give good reports on the Japan tour. See you soon. Its hard to believe that I only have about 6 weeks left. What a ride.

All Musicians Need to Read This One

How do you measure a great lead alto player. Here you go:: The other night at our concert we were going to play #67 The Nearness Of You. A fantastic tune that features the sax section. It especially features the doubling abilities of our section. During one part of the tune, it goes back and forth between the lead alto and the second alto each altering sax and clarinet back and forth. During intermission I took my music back stage to practice and get everything just right. We went back to the stage and starting our set. When we got to #67 my music was no where to be found. No one knew this except for me and Kevin the leadman. I decided to fake it so no one would know. When we got to the section between Kevin and I all of a sudden he started switching horns like a wild man. YOU SEE HE HAD MY MUSIC MEMORIZED TOO. He played every single note of the back and forth section on the correct instrument PERFECTLY. It was so perfect Larry never know we had a problem. To top it off after the show, Kevin said, Your Fired, laughed and said "That's happened in the past and it will happen again in the future" He was very kind and supportive. He knows I work hard all the time to have everything right. THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE MEASURE OF A GREAT LEAD PLAYER AND SECTION LEADER.

Great Concert

The concert when my family was here went well. Larry our director is so gracious to feature us especially when our family is here. He really made the night super special and made me actually feel pretty important. He really does it up right when your family is there. THANK YOU LARRY O'Brien.

Family Visit

Tonight is a big night. My wife Debbie , and our daughter Kristen will be at the concert in Wichita Kansas. Debbie's Mom and Dad will be here too. Its the first time anyone in my family as been able to come here me play since I have been with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Larry, our leader is great about taking care of us when we have family here. He asked me what I wanted to play. The best 2nd alto feature is Stars Fell on Alabama so were doing that, and I am doing a clarinet solo on a great tune called VHOP from the old Army Air Corp music library. Also have a few more and I am excited about it all.

Ill let you know how it goes. I have to head for the bus to load up. Katheryine and class mates I will be sharing my solos with Flat Stanley. He is getting lots a cool pictures to bring to school when he returns in Jan.