NACB

As guest conductor for the NACB this week, I was able to hold my 1st rehearsal in my new band room, and conduct the concert!

• In regular rehearsals, we don't play the national anthems, so I didn't either, but I got a little nervous thinking about it and should have practiced it. However it went off almost flawlessly. The band wanted to slow down more than I did towards the end, so I followed them a little more than I should have.
• Fairest of the Fair went quite well, though I had to relax - they didn't go my tempo. I think it was the percussion & trumpets that slowed us down.
• Sabre Dance sounded great but the trumpets missed the repeat at the beginning. I was holding up a finger so they'd wait, but they weren't watching. Given another opportunity I'd hold that hand up higher.
• Best Broadway Marches was overall very good, but a train wreck in the middle. The tempo was supposed to be suddenly quick again and trumpets enter, but they totally missed it. I tried to start there quickly, and they still didnt' play! The THIRD time, they got it. I was real happy with the slower section, as the low instruments followed me quite well.
• The Beatles Forever was smooth.
• Trumpets, Ole! Great tune, and the group got the tempo changes very well. Big help from George the tubist.
• Burnished Brass was easily played right through.
• Hello, Dolly was trouble. The middle section got kind of screwed up with the sound effects and missed entrances. It was still fun though.
• Shenandoah is such a nice tune. The baritone player wasn't quite loud enough, but my 1st clarinets kept their level down just right.
• Dry Bones is awesome. I almost skipped it, but the clarinet players really wanted it (probably since they get to stand up!)
• We didn't play the last two songs, due to lightning. I was really ready for Men of Ohio, too!