Keeping Us Connected -- Weekly Questions for Members

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  What was the best thing about our virtual rehearsal?
  • gordon  

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  @gordon Connecting with others and playing as a group again even if we couldn’t hear each other. It just felt like we were playing together again. Or on the other hand I can say all you guys sounded fantastic!
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  Which of the songs on the virtual rehearsal list are you most looking forward to playing?
  • gordon  

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  Hockey Night in Canada and The Incredibles
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  What country's style of music do you enjoy playing/listening to?
  • gordon  

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  @gordon I am partial to military music, due to the fact that I am an Army Brat! Since most of the music was written in the UK, I guess that is my country of choice. I remember my Father playing Regimental marches (he was the DM (NCO) for the 1st Independent Signals Corp's Drum and Bugle band - now 31 Signals based out of John Foote Armories). My Mother was from Britain, also in the military (a commissioned officer in the Medic Corp - 11th Field Ambulance), and loved Scottish Pipe and Drum music. The annual Fergus Highland Games was frequently attended by our family. I grew up also listening and appreciating Big Band music from my Aunts and Uncles who fought in WW2. But military music is my favorite! So long story short, like Gordon I love marches! I guess my 8 year tenure in BTTB also plays a part in this.
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  Which Concert Band piece reminds you most of spring?
  • gordon  

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  @gordon If there is a band arrangement that includes pieces such as Singing in the Rain, April in Paris (music from the film Easter Parade with Judy Garland), Rustle of Spring (Christian Sinding), Spring Affair (Donna Summer), these can remind me of spring.
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  Have you developed any new skills during the pandemic?
  • gordon  

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  I've actually learned a bit of ukulele. I asked for an instrument for Christmas, and I'm working on a few beginner pieces. The latest is "Margaritaville." Some chords are still tough, and I certainly don't want to take on anything with six strings.
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  What piece are you looking forward to playing the most once rehearsals return?
  • gordon  

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  I have been able to procure an arrangement of John William's "March to 1941", from the movie "1941". Also, I do hope that we will be able to present De Meij's Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings".
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  Is there anything you've enjoyed about the pandemic lifestyle?
  • gordon  

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  Not having to drive to work everyday in traffic.
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  What have you missed most during the pandemic?
  • gordon  

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  What does miss the most about the pandemic is going out and watching live music whether it be a small or larger venue. Attending with friends together at these events, enjoying one another’s company is definitely missed.
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  What's the strangest piece you've ever played?
  • gordon  

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  I played a piece called Sonatina for Trombone for my graduating recital at Western. It was described as a blend of traditional triadic structure and dissonance governed by twelve tone aggregates. Aside from being technically very difficult, the real challenge was making all the odd sounding harmonies and collections of note like listenable music. It was very odd, ultimately rewarding, but I don't think I'd ever go in that direction again!
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  If you could play in a type of band or ensemble that you've never played in before, what would it be?
  • gordon  

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  Barbershop Quartet! "Baby on board, How I've adored, That sign on my car's windowpane." I think it would be a riot.
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  What song or piece do you find the most romantic?
  • gordon  

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  I've always thought Rachmaninoff Symphony 2, movement 3 is just about the most romantic sounding thing. Rachmaninoff seems to do well on the romance front!
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  Which pop song do you think would make the best concert band piece, and why?
  • gordon  

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  @Dannomyte Really?? Never Gonna Give You Up arranged by Matt Conaway
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  Which Concert Band instrument would you least like to play?
  • gordon  

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  I think the drum kit would be most difficult for me because I'm not coordinated enough.
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  What's your favourite Sammy Nestico composition/arrangement?
  • gordon  

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  @Dannomyte Yes it does drip with Americana, but all the tunes are very recognizable and makes a great audience pleaser. There are lots of exposed solos, some rhythmic variation and of course, there are some great horn licks, so Steve will be happy. I will put it on the music suggestion list I have been keeping. Have a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6QStsqCbCc
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  What Concert Band piece reminds you most of winter?
  • gordon  

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  I love "In The Bleak Midwinter" even though many of the lyrics refer to Christmas. Good job Mr. Holst!
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  What concert band piece best captures your wish for the New Year?
  • gordon  

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  After much deliberation, I have settled on "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow", from Annie.
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  What Christmas/New Year's message would you like to send to your fellow BCB members?
  • gordon  

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  I certainly want to wish everyone the best of the festive season. I'm sure many of us, even if we were not somewhat isolated, would be scouring YouTube for some seasonal favourites. Such is my poor education, it's only recently I discovered Schoenberg's Weihnachtsmusik. Basically variations on Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming, with a little bit of Silent Night. Old German stuff. I believe the term "Weihnacht" goes back before Christian times. There are funny YouTube links where people say: Schoenberg! You mean that master of dischord wrote something melodious? Yes. Here it is for a kind of one-man trombone ensemble. Day 25 - Weihnachtsmusik (Christmas Music) by Arnold Schoenberg: Trombone Arrangement
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  What is your favourite Christmas Concert memory?
  • gordon  

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  I always have fond memories of every Christmas concert; mostly because my grandparents would come to literally every one of them (from high school all the way to now). They have always had a huge influence on my musical life--particularly my grandpa. I will always hold last year's (2019 BCB) Christmas concert fondly next to my heart as the music we played was so much fun, but I went into it knowing it was going to be his final concert. In his final month (at hospice), he kept asking for me to play him the videos I had recorded of the BCB
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  What is your favourite Christmas piece to perform?
  • gordon  

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  @Kamara @Pualanasn @joanner I think I heard Hamilton Concert Band play "Minor Alterations" last year, and I found it interesting. Thanks to @wjerome for his comments, otherwise one might think that nobody but the people on the executive have opinions on this question! Jane P.S. I know there are people in this band who really don't like CHristmas Festival...
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  Which bucket list concert band piece(s) have you had the chance to perform?
  • gordon  

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  HM....I would say the aforementioned Pictures at an Exhibition. Although it was with the DVO...still counts! There are many in the que, however!