Update Update

[bort]

Update: I graduate with my doctorate today. It's exciting to see the hard work and all the processes and life mature over three years.

Well, this calls for a celebration.



Awesome job, James!

[tbn.al]

Next to last Christmas gig today, Women's Center(cancer etc.) at a local hospital. We never see anyone. We just set up the quintet in the atrium and play for a while. I understand the sound travels well all over the building. I hope it helps more than it disturbs. It's been a really busy season this year, but I do love me some Christmas quintet music. You have been updated.

[opus37]

Next to last Christmas gig today, Women's Center(cancer etc.) at a local hospital. We never see anyone. We just set up the quintet in the atrium and play for a while. I understand the sound travels well all over the building. I hope it helps more than it disturbs. It's been a really busy season this year, but I do love me some Christmas quintet music. You have been updated.

I play in 2 bands that go to assisted living and nursing homes to play. Many residents are in wheel chairs and require a lot of nursing care, but you can see from their eyes that they hear and enjoy the music. Yes, it's loud, but they seem to love it. I commend your work at the local hospital. Know that they hear you and you have brought a little joy into the world.

[bort]

+1

In Baltimore, the bands I played in did probably 5 Christmas concerts each, all at the local nursing homes and even a psychiatric hospital. These events are huge for them, and they not only enjoy them, but look forward to them for quite some time.

The psychiatric hospital concert was particularly interesting. The patients spanned a HUGE spectrum, some appeared totally normal, others talked or sang whatever they wanted during the music, and others couldn't make it through 5 or 10 minutes before they had to leave for some reason or another. But you could tell they all enjoyed it, and the staff, who knows the patients well, would tell us how important it is to them and how fun it is.

[Dan Schultz]

A group of fourteen musicians from my community band that we refer to as the 'Day Band' performed last night before the annual Christmas dinner and gift-giving event at local non-profit that's called the 'Dream Center'... an organization that mentors underprivileged kids. There were about 500 folks present. Some kids (and parents) were singing along and dancing to traditional Christmas tunes but most were just talking and waiting for the presents to be handed out. It was noisy and I doubt if anyone in the back of the large hall even knew we were there. Nonetheless... it's heart-warming to participate in outreach events such as this. Who knows?.... maybe a kid or two will be inspired to get involved in music someday.

[bisontuba]

A group of fourteen musicians from my community band that we refer to as the 'Day Band' performed last night before the annual Christmas dinner and gift-giving event at local non-profit that's called the 'Dream Center'... an organization that mentors underprivileged kids. There were about 500 folks present. Some kids (and parents) were singing along and dancing to traditional Christmas tunes but most were just talking and waiting for the presents to be handed out. It was noisy and I doubt if anyone in the back of the large hall even knew we were there. Nonetheless... it's heart-warming to participate in outreach events such as this. Who knows?.... maybe a kid or two will be inspired to get involved in music someday.

+1!

[scottw]

+1

In Baltimore, the bands I played in did probably 5 Christmas concerts each, all at the local nursing homes and even a psychiatric hospital. These events are huge for them, and they not only enjoy them, but look forward to them for quite some time.

The psychiatric hospital concert was particularly interesting. The patients spanned a HUGE spectrum, some appeared totally normal, others talked or sang whatever they wanted during the music, and others couldn't make it through 5 or 10 minutes before they had to leave for some reason or another. But you could tell they all enjoyed it, and the staff, who knows the patients well, would tell us how important it is to them and how fun it is.

I do between 20 and 25 nursing home concerts throughout the year, typically, some paid, most not. And I tell you, I would play them all for free if it came to that. You just have to watch the faces and you know what I mean. As a matter of fact, I have to go up and dress for my last concert before New Years!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
ScottW
I believe the caretakers need these concerts as much as the patients.
The dying see death for a month or so.
The caretakers see it for decades.

[Tubaryan12]

The community band I play in does at least 2 nursing home concerts per year, and the quintet I play in does about 4-6 of these concerts per year as well. (4 in the last 2 weeks) As the members of the quintet retire from their day jobs, we are increasing the number.

[southtubist]

Saw the CSO Brass concert on Wednesday. It was so awesome that I needed treatment for severe blast injuries afterwards! It was my first time seeing a really good orchestra with brass, which is funny considering that I was a very serious performance major up until a year ago. . . Also, I ate some good food and hung out with some really good friends that I hadn't seen in almost two years.

[bearphonium]

The Oregon Tuba Ensemble just finished our Christmas season, which began with the "Kettle Kick off" helping the local Salvation Army get started with their bell ringing campaign, included our Tuba Carol Concert (no TM here), some nursing homes, light parades, Interfaith Paryer Service, Holiday Market and ended with a chamber music performance in the local chamber music concert series (although now that we number 22 player, I am not sure how much of a chamber group we are...) It is always rewarding to see the look on people's faces when they hear how mellow euphoniums and tubas can be.

Oh, and it is raining in Oregon. In case anyone was wondering.

[windshieldbug]

I can tell you for certain that while I was in rehab from my coma, the people in the rehab (stroke, brain injuries AND staff) appreciated any music that came our way. As they say, you don't get out much. And one of the largest moments in my recovery was the Principal Trumpet of my orchestra (along with friends including a former Philadelphia Orchestra Principal) coming out and just playing Cornet Band music. No, the audience doesn't react in the same way that you're used to, but what a treat it is to have live music instead of the same old TV drone...

[alfredr]

I am especially touched this year reading about the performances you all have been giving in nursing homes and hospitals. I have an aunt who just died and I have to figure out how I get from here (Marietta, Ga) to there (Northwest Ill.) this weekend. But she and my uncle both had health issues (E.R.) the same weekend in August and were then in a nursing home together. She had another stroke about 10 days ago, and was returned to the nursing home for hospice care. My uncle is quite a good pianist and would play the piano that the nursing home has. Appreciated by all. Don't know how he is going to get along with out her. They were married 60 years back in February.

But thanks to all who go and play in those venues.

[bisontuba]

Buffalo NY has already broken the record for the warmest Christmas Eve Day Ever...
66 degrees...Merry 'Green' Christmas ....

[bort]

I am especially touched this year reading about the performances you all have been giving in nursing homes and hospitals. I have an aunt who just died and I have to figure out how I get from here (Marietta, Ga) to there (Northwest Ill.) this weekend. But she and my uncle both had health issues (E.R.) the same weekend in August and were then in a nursing home together. She had another stroke about 10 days ago, and was returned to the nursing home for hospice care. My uncle is quite a good pianist and would play the piano that the nursing home has. Appreciated by all. Don't know how he is going to get along with out her. They were married 60 years back in February.

But thanks to all who go and play in those venues.

Sorry for your loss

[Tubaryan12]

SA = good people doing good

Yep.

[bearphonium]

SA = good people doing good

Yep.

And for me, this is one of those times that I have to put aside some personal prejudices and play. While I admire some of the work that the SA does, their stance on gay rights upsets me (and if I have to explain, I would; just trying to keep it not too political). I put that aside to help for the good that they do.

[Dan Schultz]

The families (mine, hers, and ours) started arriving around 10am. At 11am the handle on the toilet in the guest bathroom broke off. Luckily, there are are two more full bathrooms in this house!

The cheap-assed Chinese/Taiwanese/Mexican/whatever plastic handle broke where it passes through from outside to the inside mechanism. My repairs skills combined with a plethora of tuba parts and a A Newcastle brown ale came in very handy. A short piece of 3/13" square stock from an old lyre and a little torch heat had it all back together and operating within about fifteen minutes.

Lesson learned. When I installed that toilet I should have spent another buck or so for a solid brass handle and lever instead of the crap import. Hmmmmmm.

You have been updated. Now... back to the festivities and maybe a Shiner Bock this time.

[bisontuba]

Gigs are done, it is in the high 40's here in Buffalo, time to enjoy the Holiday ...

[Dan Schultz]

Band party tonight with music-loving adults and no small children. Life is good!

[tbn.al]

It really is crazy here. Had the family over yesterday and cooked a tenderloin on the deck, 82 in the shade. I sweated through my long sleeve dress shirt. My camellias are full of blooms and honey bees. I thought the bees were all in for the winter. December tornadoes? Crazy!