Author: James Adkins

I’m sure that we are all sorry to hear that Cathy is ill and will not be able to attend her classes and rehearsal this evening. Please understand that this evening is a very important rehearsal. All members of her Orientation Class are welcome to attend my Rhythm Class at 5:00 and we will simply continue with our planned combined rehearsal at 6:00. I’m looking forward to a great evening of MUSIC MAKING!!!

Jim

Hope you all enjoyed Thanksgiving! Just a couple three reminders!

1. We will have Orientation Class on Monday!
2. We will have Rhythm Class on Monday!
3. Please bring a smile and Holiday Cheer to both rehearsals this week!

Happy Holidays!

Jim

Just a few words before I share the remaining two lists for our 2024 Holiday Concerts! Even though the time that we have together rehearsing and performing goes by so quickly, I want you to know that I appreciate every moment of personal preparation, rehearsal, and performance. It’s not work for me it’s sharing! I knew when the time came for me to retire 20 years ago, that it didn’t mean teaching music was coming to an end. How could it!?! I still had more to say! I just needed to find others who would listen, agree and work hard together. Even though you may think that I’m never satisfied please understand that I honestly believe our improvement as an ensemble and individually as music lovers has made FANTASTIC positive growth. It’s a never-ending story! I’m THANKFUL for every minute we have together. I appreciate your willingness to share your best talents and desires by expressing our feelings with others through performances. I’m most thankful for your patients and acceptance of my sometimes very strange actions. I trust that we can continue to grow knowing that the feeling we transmit to our audiences through music is intended a wonderful gift.

May our thankfulness continue on through the future as we share this wonderful opportunity making music together. Thank you my Friends!

Jim

Remaining 2024 rehearsals:

Monday December 2nd F.E.C. 5:00 – Orientation Classes; 5:20 – Rhythm Class; 6:00 Full Combined Rehearsal.

Thursday December 5th F.E.C. 6:00 – Full Combined Rehearsal

Remaining Concert Performances:

Guardian Angel Church; Sunday December 8th Call time 1:15, Downbeat 2:00; 1676 Cleveland Massillon Rd. Copley, OH…….. Tuesday December 17th Western Reserve Masonic Community 4931 Nettleton Rd. Medina, OH; Call time for Strings 5:00; Assisted Living performance 5:15. Winds and Percussion call time 5:30, Full Combined Ensemble on stage by 6:00 downbeat 6:05.

Blue Shirts and added Holiday Accent welcomed at both performances!

Guardian Angel Program:

1). Celebration Fanfare; 2). Two Advent Carols 3). Born This Happy Morn 4). Hanukkah Dance 5). Christmas on Broadway 6). White Christmas 7). Strings: Three English Carols; Kings of the Orient 8). Let it Snow 9). Christmas Song 10). Ukrainian Bell Carol 11). Silent Night.

WRMC Program

Strings, please report to Auditorium before 5:00 as you will move to Assisted Living Cafeteria from the Auditorium with stands but no cases for a downbeat at 5:15. You will perform your complete Holiday Repertoire as dinner entertainment. 5:45 you will report to auditorium for Full Combined Ensemble Downbeat at 6:05.

Full Combined Ensemble Program

Same as Guardian Angel performance with the following substitutions:

Selection No.4 Strings only will perform God Rest Ye Mary Gentlemen; Three English Carols, replacing the Hanukkah Dance.

Selection No.7 Strings only will perform Carol of the Bells/Greensleeves, replacing Kings of the Orient. Cathy my rearrange these selections as we move forward so simple be prepared by mastering and carrying the entire holiday book!

Good afternoon, all. Our Monday classes and rehearsals scheduled for November 25th at the F.E.C. have been cancelled. The Church has added a Thanksgiving Service that evening. Please understand the importance of our rehearsals on November 18th and 21st and December 2nd and 5th. It’s a busy time of the year for all of us! I’m looking forward to our remaining 4 rehearsals and our 3 Holiday performances. Spending this time together sharing the spirit of the Holidays with Music in this ” THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR” is a great gift. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Jim

Children’s Hospital Tree Festival; November 17th, 1:00 at Knight Center call @ 12:15

Performance Order: Celebration Fanfare; Two Advent Carols; Jazzy Holidays; White Christmas; Let it Snow; Kings of the Orient; Christmas Song; Ukrainian Bell Carol (BLUE SHIRTS).

Please bring your charts for this concert in performance order as posted above for both rehearsals this week at the F.E.C. Also please bring Christmas on Broadway, and Silent Night. They are not part of our first Holiday Concert but will be rehearsed both nights this week.

Jim

October 17th F.E.C. 6:00 Full Combined rehearsal upstairs with Jim. (Don’t forget to register for (RHYTHM CLASS).

October 21st F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation Class is cancelled. 5:30-Rhythm Class upstairs. Full Combined Rehearsal 6:00 – 8:00.

October 24th 2:30 MAPS, split rehearsal both upstairs.

October 28th F.E.C. 5:00 Sting Orientation; 5:30 -Rhythm Class upstairs; 6:00 – Sectionals; 7:00 – Full Combined Rehearsal.

October 31st F.E.C. 6:00 Full Combined (Happy Halloween) Rehearsal.

November 4th F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation; 5:30 – Rhythm Class upstairs; 6:00-Sectionals; 7:00- Full Combined Rehearsal.

November 7th 2:30 MAPS, split rehearsals both upstairs.

November11th F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation; 5:30 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Sectionals; 7:00 Full Combined Rehearsal.

November 14th- F.E.C. 6:00 Full Combined Rehearsal

November 17th CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS TREEFEST; Knight Center 77 E. Mill St, Akron (set-up at Noon; places at 12:30, downbeat at 1:00).

November 18th- F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation; 5:30 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Sectionals; 7:00 Full Combined Rehearsal.

November 21 – 2:30 MAPS, split rehearsal both upstairs.

November 25th – F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation; 5:30 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Sectionals; 7:00 Full Combined Rehearsal.

December 2nd -F.E.C. 5:00 String Orientation; 5:30 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Full Combined Rehearsal.

December 5th -F.E.C. 6:00 Full Combined Concert Run-through!

December 8th – Guardian Angel Concert; 1676 S Cleveland Massillon Rd. Copley, OH (Set-up at 1:00; places at 1:30, downbeat at 2:00).

December 17th Western Reserve Masonic Community Concert; 4931 Nettleton Rd. Medina, OH; (Set-up at 4:45; places at 6:00; Downbeat at 6:30).

Good morning, all, and Merry Christmas! Please follow last week’s instructions and be prepared to begin rehearsal tomorrow evening on the listed Christmas selections that have been posted. See you all at 6:00 tomorrow evening!!

Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Jim

Good morning my Fello Musicians! Please find below dates and tunes as they now are listed for the remainder of our 2024 season. We ask, as always, that you do your best scheduling attendance at all classes, rehearsals, concerts and performances. Thanks!

Barberton MumFest Rehearsals: Monday 23rd and Thursday the 26th F.E.C. Combines Ensemble time schedule both days. Music concert order: Star Spangled Banner; Black Forest Overture; Hands Across the Sea; Ukranian National Anthem; Queen on Stage; Hogan’s Heroes; Bohemian Rhapsody; Best of the Beatles; March from Holst Suite; Sweet Georgia Brown; Chaconne from the Holst Suite.

September 30TH; FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC REHEARSAL. Please bring your parts from Holiday performances in the past for the following selections (New Music will be added as we prepare for performances on November 17th (Children Hospital Tree Festival); December 8th (Guardian Angels Concert); (Western Reserve Masonic Community Concert December 10th).

Celebration Fanfare; Hanukkah Dance; Do You Hear What I Hear; Born This Happy Morn; Sleigh Ride; Jazzy Holiday; White Christmas; Let it Snow; Christmas Song; Ukrainian Bell Carol.

OCTOBER REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Mondays at F.E.C. – 5:00 Orientation Classes; 6:00-7:00 Sectionals; 7:15 Full Rehearsal

Thursdays at F.E.C. on the 3rd; 17th; 31st. 6:00-8:00 Full Combined Rehearsals. Thursdays at MAPS on the 10th and 24th 2:30 – 4:00 (Split Rehearsals; winds &percussion/strings).

Ho, Ho, Ho! Jim

This week our Thursday 9/19 rehearsal will be in the afternoon (2:30) at MAPS not at the F.E.C. in the evening. It also may be split in locations (strings upstairs, winds and percussion downstairs). Please check it out as you arrive. Thanks!

Jim

Oh, and as a friendly reminder, DON’T FORGET TO GET THE ONE! Especially going up the stairs!

Granger United Methodist Church 1235 Granger Rd. Medina, OH 44256

Equipment needed: Blue Shirts; Shorts; Hats; Sunglasses; Water; Music Stand; Music as listed; Music wind clamps; Instruments; Folding or Lawn chairs; Smiles!!

1:00 – please park behind the church

1:15 – places inside orange markers

1:30 – 1:45 WARM UP

2:00 – Downbeat

MUSIC ORDER: 1). Star Spangled Banner; 2). Black Forest Overture; 3). Hands Across the Sea; 4). Hogan’s Heroes; 5). God Bless the U.S.A.; 6). Bohemian Rhapsody; 7). March Holst Suite; 8). Let Freedom Ring; 9). Best of the Beatles; 10). Sweet Georgia Brown; 11). Holst Chaconne.

Looking forward to our Thursday rehearsal……..Last Night was AWSOME!!!!

Jim