Keeping Us Connected -- Weekly Questions for Members

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  What secret skill do you have that would surprise other band members?
  • gordon  

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  Once upon a time... I was a visual artist, mainly in mixed media (computer manipulate photography as well as abstract painting). I was in a few group shows, mainly in exhibiting at ARCs and one being at the AGH.
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  What are you doing to keep in playing shape until rehearsals return?
  • gordon  

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  Long tones!
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  What is your Musical New Year's Resolution?
  • gordon  

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  Same for me. Keep motivated to continue playing until band starts up again!
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  What one piece of music do think represents you best?
  • gordon  

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  This such a difficult one to answer! There are several ways I could go... Do I pick my Dad's Regimental March that I grew up with (Begone Dull Care), or one of the pieces from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada which I fondly remember (The Campbells are Coming & Black Bear - most the neighborhood kids were in 2347 RCAC). Finally I could choose a piece that I played with BTTB (any Eric Ford pieces or Sousa) or RHLI Regimental band (Zorba the Greek or any of the marches - that would definitely please Gordon...) Hmm..... Decisions...Decisions...Decisions... I will go with "Strike Up the Band" (Ford version), as this was always the 1st piece that BTTB stepped off to. I remember watching the crowds clapping along. Funny enough, I still have it memorized...even though it has been 31 years since I aged out.
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  What hobbies do you have outside of playing music?
  • gordon  

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  Riding my motorcycle (and trying to start my own bike gang, but it's hard to find people interested in a Harry Potter Motorcycle Club) Building remote control scale model battleships
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  What book would you recommend to a band mate looking for some summer reading?
  • gordon  

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  I haven't read his other writing beyond a taster chapter from Leave it to Psmith, which was OK, but didn't inspire me to put down the Jeeves and pick up the Blandings Castle series. Besides, I've got a lot more Woostering to do first. @lisa-yl
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  What series would you recommend to a band mate looking for some summer binge-watching?
  • gordon  

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  Asterisks indicates it was something we/I watched in entirety during the pandemic/breastfeeding sessions . Comedy: Schitt's Creek*, The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine Sci-Fi: Deep Space Nine*, The Expanse Drama: Broadchurch, The Crown
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  What's the one item of food or drink you can't live without?
  • gordon  

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  A combination of arabinose polysaccharides and triglyceride lipids, along with 1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione, emulsified in a dihydrogen monoxide solution. (Also known as coffee. Try ordering it at Starbucks or Tim's this way!!)
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  If you could go on a summer vacation this year, where would you go?
  • gordon  

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  @Marie-Limanni I'm letting my fingers crossed for you
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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!