The Honor Band during afternoon rehearsal
Last September I was asked to be the Guest Conductor for a Northern California Honor Band (a group of students who audition and are selected because of the high performance abilities). That invitation may in itself be an odd occurrence - but what made it even more remarkable is that it came from the Association of Christian Schools for Northern California (from the Bay Area north, and Hawaii).
Anyway, yesterday was the event. I started working with 60 students at 9:30 am and went to 1:00, then we had a lunch break. Starting again at 2:00 pm, we went till 5:00 when we had 2 hours for dinner. At 7:00 we played the concert. There was an Honor Orchestra, a Festival Band (those who couldn't make the Honor group) and the finale was the Honor Band I worked with.
It was really a great experience for me. the students were very good (behavior as well as playing ability). I think a lot of that has to do what is expected of kids who go to private schools, but don't get me started on that. The kids worked their tails off, we had fun together, and they did a good job at the concert. The venue was nice too. The Vacaville Performing Arts Center, which is centrally located between the Bay Area and Sacramento.
I was responsible for choosing the music we played and I'll try to post the recordings in the next couple of days: Colonel Bogey March, Amazing Grace, and Exaltation (a typically exciting 'band' tune).
The Concert Hall at The Vacaville Performing Arts Center
Anyway, yesterday was the event. I started working with 60 students at 9:30 am and went to 1:00, then we had a lunch break. Starting again at 2:00 pm, we went till 5:00 when we had 2 hours for dinner. At 7:00 we played the concert. There was an Honor Orchestra, a Festival Band (those who couldn't make the Honor group) and the finale was the Honor Band I worked with.
It was really a great experience for me. the students were very good (behavior as well as playing ability). I think a lot of that has to do what is expected of kids who go to private schools, but don't get me started on that. The kids worked their tails off, we had fun together, and they did a good job at the concert. The venue was nice too. The Vacaville Performing Arts Center, which is centrally located between the Bay Area and Sacramento.
I was responsible for choosing the music we played and I'll try to post the recordings in the next couple of days: Colonel Bogey March, Amazing Grace, and Exaltation (a typically exciting 'band' tune).
The Concert Hall at The Vacaville Performing Arts Center
2 comments:
Congratulations and well-done.
Yes, you deserve the recognition, the wonderful day, and the opportunity to make a difference. Too bad that, as always, blessings come with sacrifice.
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