Category: Hot News

WOW! I really need to get back to rehearing! See you Monday the 13th not Saturday the 4th!

Jim

Good evening, Scholars and Lovers of MUSIC! I just noticed that my last post (list of January rehearsals) was missing its last paragraph! Sorry! That’s what happens when you don’t check your work! Anyway, here is the important info that was missing. It’s this Monday’s schedule!

JANUARY 13TH F.E.C.

5:00 – I would like to meet with the members listed below at 5:00 this Monday to hand out Percussion Parts for the ensemble selection we will be performing in March. We will talk through the parts and begin rehearsing as an ensemble either at 5:00 or 6:00 in February. I will be working with individuals and smaller groups at 5:00 through-out January. Her is the list: Deb, Art, Marilyn, Kathy, Heidi, Herman, Me.

5:00 – String Orientation Class

5:20 – Rhythm Class

6:00 – 8:00, Strings Ensemble downstairs, Band upstairs

I’m EXCITED!!!!!!

Jim

I greet you this evening with great appreciation for the hard work, dedication, cooperation and musical growth experienced throughout 2024. Simply saying thank you seems to be a shallow expression of how deeply I appreciate your hard work and commitment to our program. Our staff has meet and is working together in preparation for new experiences, new music and membership growth. The achievement of your improved musical abilities allows us to move forward into the never-ending world of expressive growth. It’s a privilege to be working with Cathy, Bev, and Cal and all four of us are looking forward to the unlimited possibilities which await us in 2025!

Please find below the rehearsal plans for January. Our Teaching Team is excited about new class activities, music, and growing membership. We have planned new experiences for you all and hope that you realize that each of these opportunities have been organized for your growth! Participation in classes will expand your abilities and correct old habits. We believe that small changes in our class and rehearsal schedule will be an improvement and will work for a continued improvement of all our ensembles. I’m excited!!!

Jim

Monday, January 13th F.E.C. – 5:00 String Orientation. 5:20 Rhythm Class; 6:00 Sectional Classes, Percussion; Woodwinds; Brass; Strings. 7:00 String Ensemble; Band. 8:00 -Bye!

Thursday, January 16th F.E.C. – 6:00 – 8:00 String Ensemble; Band.

Monday, January 20th – MLK Day No Classes or Rehearsals

Thursday, January 23rd MAPS 2:30 – 4:00 – String Ensemble; Band.

Monday, January 27th F.E.C. 5:00 Percussion Ensemble; 6:00 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING; 7:00 String Ensemble; Band. 8:00-Bye!

Thursday, January 30th F.E.C. 6:00 – 8:00 String Ensemble; Band.

Large Ensemble Classes listed above will be reading new music and working on ensemble technique. These rehearsal structures will change as we prepare for March, April and May performances. I’m looking forward to

DECEMBER 16TH LAST MINUTE NEWS FROM JIM

VERY IMPORTANT REHEARSAL TONIGHT……HOPE THE WEATHER ALLOWS YOUR ATTENDANCE. LOOK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT TOMORROWS WRMC PERFORMANCES POSTED AFTER 1:00 TOMORROW AFTERNOON. HERE IS IMPORTANT INFO FOR ALL WITH RESPECT TO TOMORROWS PERFORMANCE.

STRINGS

Please report at 4:30 and enter through doors on the southeast side of the building (looks like a church which is the area in which the Full Ensemble will as always, perform). Please go directly to the hall area in which we leave our cases. Please do not leave coats and cases in the Auditorium. Jim will walk you to the string performance area at 4:45. Please remember to bring your music stand. Chairs will be provided. Here is your performance selection order: 1. Three English Carols; 2). Perpetual Motion; 3). Carol of the Bells; 4). Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 5). God Rest; 6). Kings. At the conclusion of this dinner music performance, you will return to the area in which your cases remain. Please stay in that area until you are called to be placed on stage in the auditorium.

WINDS and PERCUSSION

Please report at 5:15 entering through the doors on the southeast side of the building. (looks like a church from the outside). Go immediately to the area in which we leave our cases. We will call you by instrument to enter the auditorium and be seated by section. Full Ensemble warmup will be at 6:00. Performance selections are in the same order as our last performance with the exception of the omission of the fourth and seventh spots which will be replaced by string only selections. More info tonight at rehearsal!!

Thank You,

Jim

Hello, my Fellow Music Makers! We will be rehearsing this evening at the F.E.C. as scheduled. However, we will also be adding classes and rehearsals on Mondays December 9th and 16th. Attendance at these three rehearsals will allow us to be better prepared for both of our remaining Holiday performances. Thank you so much for your continued support and understanding! Each of you is an important member of our ensembles. Drive carefully!

Jim

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