Hi all,
At last night's board meeting, we discussed the possibility of trying to
arrange an outdoor performance or two for the Fourth of July this year. While
the board doesn't think it's prudent yet for the entire ensemble to meet to
rehearse or perform, smaller groups seem viable. The plan we discussed would
have players meet as smaller, mini-ensembles for outdoor, socially distant
rehearsals. Before we can plan anything specific, however, we need to find out
who might be interested and what instrumentation we might have to work with.
If you are interested in playing for this sort of concert, please sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yNnL9ut8VrW8X8E9C0aylfVF5embrFYCs_RruxlzhGI/edit?usp=sharing
In addition to your primary instrument, please note any other instruments you
might feel comfortable playing if needed to cover gaps in instrumentation. Once
we have a list of players, we can figure out if/when/how we might be able to
play. To leave time for planning and rehearsing, please sign up by Monday, May
10. Please also note the best email address for contacting you.
Because many of us probably haven't done a lot of ensemble playing over the
last year, the plan would be to pick a music lineup that wouldn't take a
tremendous amount of practice. Since this is the Fourth of July, that means
quite a few marches, along with a few standards like America, the Beautiful.
While there's some flexibility in instrumentation for these pieces, we think
the minimum requirements would look something like this:
* Piccolo
* Flute
* 3 Clarinets
* Alto Saxophone
* Tenor Saxophone
* 4 Trumpets
* 2 Horns
* 3 Trombones
* Euphonium
* Tuba
* Percussion: snare, bass, cymbal
This is not to say that other instruments aren't welcome, but this is the
lineup that's most necessary for us to sound good.
More specific details about rehearsals will be shared with participants as they
are finalized, but you can expect them to line up with CDC and APH
recommendations, including outdoor rehearsals, social distancing of musicians,
and masks worn when not playing. Although many band members have probably been
vaccinated against COVID, we cannot guarantee that everyone will have and thus
will promote reasonable cautionary measures.
The Board
