in which the girls try band instruments!

last June, a new and wonderful music shop opened in my town, called Freworks Music.  The really cool thing about this music store, it is owned and operated by a friend from college....and his wife, whom I also knew from college!  They landed in SC first, in a small town on the west side of the state....where he opened his first music store, several years ago.  They opened their second music store in Yuma, AZ a few years later, because his sister lives there...and she manages that store.  And then about a year and a half ago, they bought a house here....and Fretworks is here!  I introduced him to a few of my musician friends, one who very recently started working for him.....(and who will be a tremendous asset to Fretworks and the band community!...he also happens to be a very well-connected retired marine musician).....thus, ALL the elements were finally in place, and I set up an appointment to bring in my girls and one of their homeschooling friends, for a private testing.  I will confess that neither of my girls were overly enthused, did NOT want to go, and were adamant that they would not be playing an instrument.  I made it very clear that I would not force them to play anything, but I couldn't not give them the opportunity to make an informed choice.

And guess what, they had a great time....and it appears they are both (along with their friend) very interested in playing an instrument!  Angel Girl wants to play trombone, and Fairy Girl wants to play percussion!  

Next (before making any rental or purchase investments)...I plan on bringing Fairy Girl to my next band rehearsal, so she can sit with the percussion section and see what they are really about (at least in a community band setting....maybe she was only planning on some homeschool garage band...but if you know anything about my husband, you will know that there's not a single spare square inch in the garage;).  I've already made arrangements for her to sit work with one of our music directors/percussionists (who also happens to be the Officer in Charge of the Parris Island Marine Band, and the percussionist on the Marine All Star Jazz Band....she has NO idea what an amazing opportunity this is for her!)

Then, I will need to make sure they have private lesson instructors....thankfully Fretworks has a percussion instructor on staff already....being new they are working on the wind instruments (which my friend who joined Fretworks last week will be helping with this, I'm sure!).

And finally .... they will need somewhere to play!  There isn't a band option for homeschoolers in my community, and a few people have been after me to start a band!  Well, I did!  Only beginning band students are not qualified for my community band;)....however, I did start a band, and we are now 501(c)3  non profit.....and I have some ideas churning where maybe we could get an educational band for kiddos going, as an extension of LWS (I haven't directly brought it up to the board of directors....of which I'm the treasurer......but soon...it's all timing;)

Our Weekend in Review:

I had Four performances with the Sun City Chorus and Concert Band Christmas Show on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; plus a band party on Saturday night.  All four shows were completely sold out (over 2000 tickets):

  
(even managed to squeeze a little Panera Picnic on the Pier with the younger one between the parade and my performance.....AND, she found a $20 bill!)





And Saturday morning, the girls participated in our annual town's Christmas parade with their Ballet studio.  Here are some of the highlights:



And the best of all.....the couch!  We arrived to the bridge where we like to sit to watch the parade and watch for the girls...and what do we see across the street from us (besides golf carts)....the couch.  It was just sitting there; all by its lonesome self; nobody near it; nobody sitting on it....just a couch.  This was a couch that received a LOT of attention, and a LOT of photos.  I'm willing to wager that it was the most photographed part of the parade!

And now......the couch:

 
it's a lovely little couch; wouldn't you agree?



And, when my performance was all done, I just kept driving through Sun City, for a free meal...at Gramma and Grampa's ;)



Life is good:)

Four Gigs This weekend....

The Sun City Chorus and Band Christmas Program....four performances at the place where my parents live...and every show is sold out!  Yes my parents are going...tonight:) 

Some photos from last night:

Don't just toss those catlogues, you never know when you'll be on the cover:)

It's not everyday that you take your mail out of the mailbox, sort through it, and do a double take when you realize there's a picture of yourself on the front of a catalogue.

TBT: a photo I was tagged in....thinking circa 2007 or 2008 East Troy Community Band

another concert last night...with the LCCB at Sun City:

and a seen from last week's LCCB concert at First Presbyterian on Hilton Head:

TBT---I apologize for the VERY lengthy post, edition....a trip down my musical memory lane

TBT: shout out to all of my band directors, past and present:
Thinking about all of my wonderful band directors over the years...they wouldn't do what they do if they didn't have a true passion for music and people. I'm so very grateful to each and every one of them who have helped to musically and literally shape me into the musician and person I am today. As a student (and adult), you form a bond with your band director, that is unlike any other. They are there for you both musically and personally....and it becomes one of those life time relationships...even the childhood directors (in my case I was fortunate to be able to play in the adult community bands with a couple of my directors or at least stay in touch;)
It's also interesting to note (for me at least) what their main instruments are (to the non musicians, most band directors can play more than one instrument, sometimes all, fairly proficiently). So here's a shout out to all of my band directors, past and present, in order of my playing years! Also grateful to grow up in an area with SO many incredible playing opportunities!
I want to thank each and every band director for giving so selflessly of themselves and for believing in me (especially when I didn't always believe in me) heart emoticon
Mr. Dan Caballero-(oboe?)-my very first clarinet teacher for fifth grade beginner bands
John Whyte-trumpet: 6th grade Continental Marching Band
Joe Bolyard-baritone, Lincoln Junior High
Louis Covelli-oboe- Tremper High Symphonic Band and Blackwatch
Jim Firchow-clarinet- Tremper High Wind Ensemble (and private clarinet teacher) and Blackwatch
Randy Skowronski (I'm sure I butchered the spelling - trumpet and Paul Taylor - baritone-Band of the Black Watch
John Buenic (clarinet) and Frank Germinaro (clarinet)-Kenosha Pops Concert Band - 1987-2001 (summer band, weekly outdoor concerts on the lake front bandshell, which had not been built yet my first year....this band and Racine gave me some decent sight reading skills...I sight read many a concert if I missed rehearsals;)
Dr. Glenn Hayes (oboe) University of Wisconsin Whitewater (college) and although she wasn't directly my band director, his amazing wife, Christine C. Hayes - clarinet (without these two, I very possibly would have let my clarinet go at the end of college)
Dr. Roger Coppenbarger- my college clarinet professor (from what I heard, he retired in SC). I did not major in music, so my lessons were more light-hearted and fun:)
Del Eisch-trombone--Racine Concert Band (1991-2001)
Mark Eichner - trumpet- Parkside Community Band- 1990's
Alex Sabo - trumpet? Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music (aka WAM)...the Europe Tour!
Robert Awe - trumpet? Lakeshore Wind Symphony 2001-2002
Karl Mueller-tuba-Brookfield Civic Band-2001-2010
Jay Huenink-trombone/baritone-New Berlin Community Band (winter) and East Troy Community Band (summer) 2004-2010
Two years off from playing due to lack of community band in my new SC community....I struggled being band less:)
Don Jemella-clarinet LCCB
2012-2014)
Michelle Bennett-sax-LCCB
DK Bennett honestly, not quite sure what he doesn't play grin emoticon -LCCB
Don Jemella Lowcountry Wind Symphony and
Steve Giove (also the Officer in Charge of the Parris Island Marine Band)-percussion - Lowcountry Wind Symphony

introducing the all-new: Lowcountry Wind Symphony!

so honored to be a part of this dynamic planning committee!   The official invite went out this evening!

 

August 3, 2014

Dear Musician,

It is with great pleasure that we announce and invite you to join the all new Lowcountry Wind Symphony (LWS)!

The Lowcountry Wind Symphony is a non-professional, non-profit, all-volunteer wind band whose mission is to provide a quality musical experience for its members. The LWS is dedicated to:

• Providing an opportunity for life-long musical expression and enjoyment for its members
• Promoting artistic enrichment in our communities
• Preserving the rich repertoire and cultural history of the wind band

The Lowcountry Wind Symphony Planning Committee has invited Don Jemella and Steve Giove to be the directors---and they have both accepted!

The first official rehearsal date is to be announced – and it is coming soon. To make the LWS accessible to all, we are working on scheduling rehearsals that do not conflict with other area band programs.

Please let us know that you are interested in hearing more about the LWS by replying to this email, and please reply with a rehearsal night that fits your schedule. We will continue to keep you on our contact list.

Further details about Lowcountry Wind Symphony are coming soon, beginning with an initial meeting with those wishing to learn more about the LWS. We are very excited about getting underway and hope you will join us as we take our place among the fine performing ensembles in the area.

Sincerely,

The LWS Planning Committee

come join our Facebook Page!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lowcountrywindsymphony/

Another Concert Tonight!

My Lowcountry Community Concert Band played a fabulous concert this evening at Hilton Head High School. 

My wonderful clarinet section:
leave it to a sax player to photo bomb my wonderful clarinet section:)

Band Performance at Magnolia Hall, Sun City

We had our long-awaited performance at Sun City this evening.  The concert was free, but tickets were necessary, as this is a large retirement community, and "free" tends to sell out rather quickly.  This evening was not to disappoint!  The concert band and jazz bands played very well, and were a hit with the audience.  Several of our band members live in Sun City.  At one point, our band director (also a Sun City resident), asked for the house lights to be brought up, and asked for a show of hands for how many in the audience ever played band instruments.  MANY hands went up, at which point, Don proceeded to tap his foot and give them the look (you know, for not being on stage with us:) 

Here are a few photos from this evening:


We've switched from black and white to all black formal...we're in the big leagues now:)  This selfie doesn't show it, but I'm wearing a floor length gown :)  Not all women can do that...it really depends on the instrument you play.  For example, it would be really hard for a tenor sax player, depending on how you hold your sax....and quite awkward for certain instruments.  But it's NO problem for a clarinetist or a flute player...so all the ladies in the front row opt to wear formal black, floor length gowns:)

Sun City has a very nice green room for us to warm up in!

intermission for us; getting ready to listen to the jazz band peform

the jazz band, playing on the floor below the stage .... they played some big band hits....the Sun City residents ate that all up:)


me and bob :)

my cute little Eb clarinet

cool day two of full moon, following the concert, outside of Magnolia Hall.
A great night, was had by all!

band concert announcement!

Free & Open Concert Honoring Our Veterans!

"Saluting America's Veterans"    WHEN: Saturday, November 9, 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Lord Of Life Lutheran Church, 351 Buckwalter, Bluffton S.C. COST: Free & open to everyone! This is a free concert featuring patriotic music to salute America's men a women who bravely serve in the United States armed forces. Also on the program we introduce the Lowcountry Jazz Ensemble who will perform selections written for the Big Band era and beyond. See you there!

Lowcountry Community Concert Band presents:

"Commemoration"