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A bar manager told our band that the owners were considering burning the place. We had no other bookings so we asked a day or two to book out before we moved our equipment. He assured us he would help any way he could.
7AM news next morning showed the fire trucks trying to put the place out.
We lost so much we couldn't play anywhere else for months. (Yes, we were stupid)

Well, back when I had to dodge dinosaurs, I was still in school. Started the fall semester. My roommate (also a tuba player) is registered, but neglects to come back to school.

Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Cold is programmed for the first Orchestra concert. I'm playing string bass. Since I my roommate is the tuba, but nowhere to be found, I volunteer to look at the part. Since I ASKED to play in the Wind Ensemble (top wind players are always placed in the orchestra, but I couldn't see learning much counting rests, and the conductor was MUCH better, though I wasn't fool enough to say so... ) the orchestra conductor is mightily pissed at me, how DARE I take such an attitude, and says that he has been in contact with my roommate, he will return in time, and why don't I just shut up like a good little bass player and practice my Bizet Symphony in C, and stop twirling my bass after the C major arpeggio?

So we get to the dress. "Now?", I ask. And I learn quickly to hold all orchestra conductors in the view to which many of them deserve.

The concert. Now he's panicked. My strategy had been to tell him to shove it, or actually LOOK at the part, but I had done neither.

So as an undergrad, I sightread it for a concert.

When it was over, I remember thinking, "This Copeland cat's not so bad. He might actually be something some day!"

I got called to sub for "The Miraculous Mandarin" some time ago with only 2.5 hours' notice. I posted the story on this thread if anyone missed it.

viewtopic.php?t=17337&highlight=

talk about last minute notice http://www.ffaire.com/gershwin/rhapsody.html

at least Bydlo, Mandarin, etc have been written

I had a former student call me once and ask what horn I'd play Rite of Spring, 1st part, on. I said (being influenced so much of Jacobs) that I'd play it on my Holton, no need to play that part on an F.

He said can you still do it? In my sleep says I.

He asked, if some orchestra was going to ask you to play the Rite, how much would you charge. Oh, about the standard rate (I was still oblivious as to where this was going).

Nice talking to you. Bye.

(Phone rings 45 mins later, same ex-student) The guy who was going to play Rite of Spring, 1st part, for our local orchestra just called and said he was going to cancel and the conductor says he'd be glad to have you play for the fee you proposed.

I said: sure, if the date is open. Sounds like fun. When is it?

Next weekend.

I played it but I sure earned a heck of a lot more than standard pay.

___

OK, elefant, what's the new but not new horn that you were talking about. No dodging the answer!

When I was in graduate school I got a call from the regular bass trombone in a regional orchestra who was freaking out about a part. He had a day job that would not release him, and a matinee of the upcoming performance. Being hungry and eager (and foolish) I signed on.

The part was the Joan Tower flute concerto. The entire brass section consisted of piccolo trumpet (principal of the orchestra) and bass trombone (me.) I got the part on Tuesday, dress was on Thursday with shows on Friday night and two on Saturday. It went o.k. but it was, to say the least, tense around my house for a couple of days.

Now I ask what before saying yes.

the elephant wrote:Who got those references? Mike? Rick?

Oh, woooow, man. That's, like, a real bummer, frijole.

Rick "who keeps people from hanging out in front of the drugstore" Denney

Elephant wrote:
"which is not hard but is fun to play (oboe and tuba in octaves), "

Is that written octaves or heard octaves?


Bob "Bob's not home man" Sadler

the elephant wrote:Who got those references? Mike?

The force, Wade. Call upon the force that you know to be inside you...

(and if the conductor says anything, say "my part says 'oboe only', but sure, I'll read it... ")