A Breeze in the Keys Video

Check out this video of the string orchestra of l'Escola Municipal de Música de Calvià.  They open their show with"A Breeze In the Keys".

I'm not used to hearing it that fast, but for this piece a slightly faster tempo works. It also helps that they have spectacular musicianship and are able to make the piece sound effortless.  So where exactly is l'Escola Municipal de Música de Calvià?  Well, it's here:

In the western Mediterranean off the Spanish mainland.

BAM! INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS COMPOSER!

I forgot most of my Spanish when I learned Italian, but gracias a Profesor László Füllöp!

 

Midwest Conference

Happy Thanksgiving, all - hope you had a nice holiday.

After much thought, I've decided that I won't be able to make it to Chicago this year for the Midwest Clinic. I got an e-mail recently from the orchestra director who programmed A Breeze In The Keys asking if I'd be there to hear it and, sadly, I had to decline. The Conference has started posting performances online, though, and I'll be able to hear it when it goes on their website. I have no doubt that it will sound great.

Indian Hill Concert

I had a great time last night at the Indian Hill Middle School Orchestra Spring Concert!

My friend Candace Putz is the director and she mentioned a few weeks ago that her 8th graders would be playing Westward Motion. She invited me to say a few words before the performance, so I cleared my calendar and set my VCR to tape Lost. I got there a little late (unusual for me) but slipped backstage after the 6th graders finished to let her know that I'd arrived and was ready to speak.

"Oh, great!" she said, "Look, the kids want you to conduct the piece."

I was a little stunned at first, but said "Okay, let's do it!" Thank goodness I thought to wear a tie and nice shoes.

So I went back to the band room, quickly introduced myself, got everyone in places, and ran through the piece. I had no score and conducted with a xylophone mallet, but it worked out fine. The orchestra sounded good and several students commented that Westward Motion was their favorite piece. After the run-through, I answered a few questions and we went outside to wait for the 7th graders to finish.

The 8th graders took the stage and the performance was great. Mrs. Putz lent me her baton and there was a score waiting for me at the podium. The kids generally weren't happy with the rest of their performance, but Westward Motion sounded good. After the show everyone convened in the auditorium lobby for a reception, where I talked with several parents, who were very excited and appreciative. They seemed to like the piece.

So it was a great night and I had a great time! Mrs. Putz always does an excellent job and it's wonderful to see the progress her students make over the years.