Speaking of Firebird, I think it's interesting how in the 3 years I've been playing with the Saratoga Orchestra, I've been very fortunate to play quite a number of the classic orchestra horn solos. The Firebird solo will add to the list, but I've also played Tchaik 5, Dvorak 9, Siegfried Idyll, and the Star Wars Suite (with Princess Leia's Theme). And this summer I'm doing Brahms' 2nd Symphony. And, of course, I did my concerto (which, if you haven't heard yet, your should really check it out by clicking here). I've gotten the spotlight quite a few times. How lucky I am!
Due to many requests, I have decided to create a wind band accompaniment of my 1st Horn Concerto. I initially didn't do it because I didn't think I could, but I thought long and hard about it, and I believe I can make it work quite well. I began work on it last night, so let's see how long this takes...
I've got the final Harbor Brass/Penn Cove Brass of the "school year" coming up this Monday, the 21st. Wow...it's already been 2 years since I formed this program. We've played a lot of concerts since then, and it's amazing how much better the Harbor Brass has gotten. I can't want to show you guys once I record the concert. We're doing a pretty great program of music composed since 1900. The Penn Cove Brass has a little more challenging of a program, and it's been hard because we haven't had everyone at rehearsal very often, and we had to change our program when we had a couple personnel shifts. So I'll admit I'm a bit concerned for them. But, I warm them up good and give them a good pep talk, so I'm hoping that works.
Take care and value music.