Brass Band Finale Concert

Last night was my last formal concert with the TYBE this season. I think the concert went incredibly well. My band played about as well as they could have on a long and challenging program. I could not be happier with where they ended up as a group this season. We did so many things well last night and I got some great feedback from the audience. I had a ton of fun and I hope the kids did as well. I can't wait until next season.

Next week both youth bands will play 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever with the Triangle Wind Ensemble in Cary. Should be a fun and loud concert. Come to the concert next Saturday at the Koka Booth in Cary.

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Still going well

So the diet is still going well. I have lost 7 lbs. in the last week and a half and it's been pretty easy. I've given up fast food french fries and fast food breakfast. This week's goal is to start walking everyday. Monday and Tuesday were rain outs but I went last night. Hopefully I'll go today.

Tonight we have our last brass band dress rehearsal. I can't say how proud of the group I am. I really am going to miss the brass band over the summer. Whatever will I do with myself?

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Last Brass Band Rehearsal

Last night was the final real brass band rehearsal of the season. We have a dress rehearsal on Thursday but last night was the last one where we could dig down. We got a lot done and I'm really happy with where the band has ended up this season. They have grown a lot as an ensemble and I'm really proud to have been a part of it with them. Friday is our season finale concert and it should prove to be a really good one. Please come check it out and support the youth bands.

As for me, things are starting to slow down which is great. I'm looking forward to the summer and the wife being home. I have just enough gigs and camps through the summer to keep me going without driving me crazy. Only a few more weeks.......

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Diet time

Ok, so after having gotten up to my largest weight ever, I am finally starting to do something about it. This weeks goal is to exercise a little bit everyday and to give up fast food breakfast and fast food french fries. I love breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal ever, but we all know that it's not good for you when it comes from McDonald's or Hardees. So this week it is Honey Nut Cheerios all week. As far as fast food goes, I can't give it up completely due to the amount of driving I do, so I am just going to give up fries and make better choices for meat, like grilled chicken. Hopefully I can stick to it....Ok, time to get my exercise on. YAY DISC GOLF!!!!!

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Brass Band Rehearsal # ??....I stopped keeping track

Last night was brass band rehearsal # 23 or something and it went pretty well. We rehearsed with Jim Ketch, cornet soloist, from UNC-CH. He did a great job and has a great sound on the cornet. I'm glad the band finally decided to prepare the band parts well enough this week. I also am conducting Nimrod with The TYBB on this concert. It's gonna be awesome and the band sounds awesome. I love this piece too. Brass band getting to play loud, I love it! Hopefully I can manage not to screw up the conducting. It's really slow and hard to conduct in 3. Hopefully I will get it. We'll have to see on the concert....

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Stuff

Things have been busy in the last week and a half, but that is a good thing. TYBE is getting set for it's last concert on May 21 with soloist Jim Ketch. It looks to be a great concert and the band is playing some challenging music really well. I'm so proud of how far they have come this year. This band is rapidly getting better and will soon be a top notch youth brass band.

I also got to play a little bit with the NC Symphony which is always a blast. Two weeks ago I got to play a kiddie concert in Meymandi and then travel to Kill Devil Hills to play a concert there. We traveled up a day early and I got to enjoy some time on the beach which was sweet. The next day we played another kiddie concert and drove home. This past Thursday I had to cover some rehearsals for Mike Kris. We were playing a bunch of broadway and big band tunes. Let's just say it was interesting. It gets better each time I play though which is a good thing. It's just nice to have the chance to play in such a great orchestra.

Dinner last night was the bomb. The wife cooked pineapple chicken, lime-cilantro rice, and blackbeans. It was goooooooood! It beats eating fast food again.

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