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Thank you, thank you, thank you! This part of the season always makes me a tiny bit sad: most of our rehearsing is behind us. We still have a few, interspersed with concerts, but it will be largely running things, with some spot-rehearsing as needed. See, my favourite part of making music is the rehearsing. I love discovering the inner workings of the piece and finding ways to make the music interesting and fun. That’s where my passion really lies. Of course, there’s tremendous value in getting out into the world and sharing what we’ve worked on – I just don’t find it’s the part that gets me out of bed in the morning. Having said that, we’re so ready! You’ve put in so much work this summer – our repertoire is REALLY hard! I think we have a concert that’s really going to wow them! It’s wowed me. I am so proud of how far we’ve come – you are all rock stars! So, without further ado, on to the business at hand.

Our first concert takes place at: Lindenwoods Terrace – 490 Lindenwood Drive East.

There is parking available across the street. The lot on the same side as the building is pretty small.

Dress is BLACK BOTTOMS and Millennium t-shirt (forest green short-sleeve shirt or black short-sleeve shirt).

Please make every effort to be there for 6:30 pm. There are a lot of us, so the band shuffle will take longer than usual! Warm-up begins at 6:55 pm, and our first piece will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

This is the Place with Posts, so if we’re playing inside, they will need to be taken into consideration when it comes to seating – we will likely be spread quite widely. If the weather is fine and not too hot, (i.e. safe for the residents), we may play outside under the pergola, in which case, we’ll be narrow and deep in terms of our seating. Either is possible, so please bring your clothespins, plexiglass, or whatever music securing devices you have at your disposal, but don’t be disappointed if they set us up indoors.

Concert order is:

F Concert Scale

Bb Concert Scale

22 – The Stripper

70 – The Maple Leaf Forever

66 – Arctic Fire

65- Moana

69 – City of Dreams

44 – Glee Showstoppers

7 – Swing the Mood

I will be posting later in the week about the Victoria Beach details, so expect more information to come your way over the weekend.

I had also promised to include some listening links – here’s City of Dreams, and here’s Funiculi, Funicula.

Let’s have a fantastic time!

See you on Wednesday!

Apologies for the lateness of the post. (I was at last night’s Bombers game – go Blue!)

Our latest rehearsal was a smashing success! I am so proud of what we’re accomplishing this summer! The level of music we’re managing is much more challenging than I thought we’d be able to master – that’s on all of you because you’re putting in the time, the effort, the home practise. (I really didn’t expect we’d be ready for Glee, City of Dreams, AND the Maple Leaf Forever! Not to mention that we haven’t had to spend a lot of time on Moana or Arctic Fire). There is something really magical about this group – the way we pull together, the ultra-supportive environment (nothing makes my heart swell more than when you start applauding each other’s successes). You all approach this group in a really professional way, and it shows in your playing.

This week’s rehearsal is a dress rehearsal, so expect the usual routine to be disrupted a bit. Firstly, we will not have a sight-reading piece this week. The first half of our rehearsal will involve running our program in order (as outlined below). The second half of rehearsal will involve spot-rehearsing (if anything serious goes wrong in the run-through) and work on some pieces we need to prep for Victoria Beach. There are also some administrative details and reminders on my agenda.

Bruce will be bringing the Band T-Shirts to rehearsal this week. They cost $12 each. The Band T-Shirt is the preferred uniform of the Manitoba Millennium Band. (Followed closely by any forest green t-shirt or polo shirt, then black short-sleeved shirt. Please wear black bottoms – shorts are fine).

Concert/Rehearsal Order is:

• 22 – The Stripper
• 70 – The Maple Leaf Forever
• 66 – Arctic Fire
• 65- Moana
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 44 – Glee Showstoppers
• 7 – Swing the Mood

Additional pieces for review/rehearsal are:

• 71 – Garlandstone
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before (this is our concert spare, but I don’t think we’ll need it)
• 30 – Funiculi, funicula

(I’ll be posting the Concert Information for July 24 in the next day or two)

If anyone can take a video of this concert – especially City of Dreams – or knows someone who may be willing to do this for us, please speak with me at rehearsal this week (or reach out via email). It would be amazing to share this with the composer!

See you Wednesday!

You are all rock stars this week – as usual! It is such a treat to work with a group of folks who are so responsive and dedicated! We’re on track to have a great opening performance – there are 2 more rehearsals before our season debut!

Speaking of performances – if you’re aware that you can’t make a gig, please let me know as soon as you’re able to. Some parts are critical and I may have to write out cues, so the sooner I know, the sooner I can get that looked after.

In other news, I have somehow become the Lost & Found Coordinator. I currently have two items that do not belong to me in my possession: a grey umbrella from July 3, and a wood-tone water bottle from the last week in June. I will have them at next week’s rehearsal.

Here’s what our rehearsal this week will be drawn from (I’m not sure we’ll get to all of these, but as we get closer to performances, there will be more running of pieces and I’m feeling that we’re getting there):

• 7 – Swing The Mood
• 30 – Funniculi, Funnicula
• 44 – Glee
• 65 – Moana
• 66 – Arctic Fire
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 70 – The Maple Leaf Forever
• 71 – Garlandstone
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

I should have something close to a final list for our July 24 concert ready next week. (I haven’t forgotten about it!)

See you on Wednesday!

This week’s rehearsal was another success! We’re making excellent progress on our repertoire for the year! We have 3 rehearsals remaining before our first concert.

This coming week’s rehearsal will be drawn from among the following pieces:

• 22 – The Stripper
• 30 – Funniculi, Finnicula
• 44 -Glee
• 65 – Moana
• 66 – Arctic Fire
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 70 – Maple Leaf Forever

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

This week marked another extremely successful rehearsal (from my perspective!) There were moments of glory from every section!

This coming week’s line up will be drawn from among the following:

• 30 – Funniculi, Funicula
• 44 – Glee
• 65 – Moana
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 70 – Maple Leaf Forever
• 71 – Garlandstone
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

Please take a look/listen to the following video – it’s the Glee version of Jump. We’re still not quite getting that rhythm in the opening down (it’s the tied 8th notes into the final bar of the pattern – we’re tending to hold onto it too long – we will be looking at this in more detail next week).

We also decided that we like the arrangement where the band faces the entrance wall better, so that’s how we’ll set up at Bourkevale going forward.

I hope to see most of you on Wednesday!

WOWZA!!!!

I am so impressed with how well we’re progressing already! I’m pretty sure I say this every year, but we’re on track for our best season yet! (You just keep getting better and better!)

There was so much amazing, musical, focused playing happening this week! It is an honour and joy to get to hear you play every week! Every single one of you deserves a cheer and a pat on the back! (I’m pretty sure a beverage isn’t in the budget this year – I’m still pushing for a cannon).

This week, as a reminder for those who arrive early to help set up, we’ll orient ourselves in the opposite configuration – percussion will set up on the clock side (where I normally set up) and I will set up on the door side (where the percussion was). The goal is to not have the sun blinding you.

This week’s line up will be drawn from the following list (not in rehearsal order):

• 7 – Swing The Mood
• 22 – The Stripper
• 30 – Funniculi, Funicula
• 44 – Glee
• 69 – City of Dreams (special focus on Mvt 1 & 2)
• 70 – The Maple Leaf Forever
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

I also wanted to encourage you to contact us (info@mbmillenniumband.com) with any feedback you may have for us. This includes but is not limited to: repertoire suggestions (for next year and beyond – this year is pretty much set), support you may need (we can rearrange parts if they’re causing too much trouble – lead time is required), practise suggestions (if you’re not sure how to practise a part), concerns you have about the general process, etc. This is YOUR band, and your executive is here to serve you – we want you to have a good experience, and we need to know how we can improve your experience.

Finally, because I sometimes forget to stress this, this is a band for everyone. We have a wide level of experiences represented so we have a wide range of music levels on our docket. If you’re struggling with a part, play what you can (maybe the “on the beat” notes of a sixteenth note run, or just the whole notes – and maybe next week, challenge yourself play the half notes), speak to me (Elizabeth) or email the band, and we will do what we can to accommodate – whether that’s arranging a part for you, doubling your part with another instrument, or some other solutions. I know it sometimes feels like it doesn’t matter, but it really does make a difference to have your voice (read: instrument) in the mix!

And that’s all I have on my list for now.

See you on Wednesday!

I am mightily heartened by our rehearsal this week, folks! We are well on our way to being ready to perform some of the more challenging works we have lined up!  It’s very exciting to hear how well it’s already coming together!

Here’s what I anticipate we’ll look at next week (not in order):

• 17 – Eine Kleine Rockmusik
• 44 – Glee Showstoppers
• 65 – Moana
• 66 – Arctic Fire
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 70 – The Maple Leaf Forever
• 71 – Garlandstone
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

See you on Wednesday – 7 pm at Bourkevale!

Our Saturday morning rehearsals are done for the season. I found that they were extremely productive this year – I think we’ve got a great foundation for our new pieces and I’m really excited about where I see us headed this season!

Our next rehearsal is WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 at 7:00 pm. All rehearsals going forward will be at BOURKEVALE COMMUNITY CENTRE – 100 Ferry Rd.

Rehearsal will be drawn from the following list, in no particular order (* = pretty much guaranteed to play):

• 7 – Swing the Mood
• 22 – The Stripper*
• 30 – Funniculi, Funnicula
• 44 – Glee Showstoppers*
• 66 – Arctic Fire*
• 69 – City of Dreams*
• 70 – The Maple Leaf Forever*
• 71 – Garlandstone
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

This next six weeks is when we’ll really sink out teeth into our repertoire. It’s always my favourite time of the season – what really gets me excited is breaking down scores into their components and building them up! There’s going to be some fun stuff to look into this year!

I’m also getting really excited to share the background bits about City of Dreams – there is a LOT going on, and I’ve just been bursting to talk about it! It is, and I don’t say this lightly, my favourite piece composed for concert band. EVER. (Note the caveat!) If that’s not pressure for you to love it, I don’t know what is! Actually, I’m convinced that you will love it (if you don’t already) because there’s something juicy for just about everyone. Sorry, Flutes and Oboes. (Not sorry). It’s musically complex and satisfying, but it also is accessible to an audience. Fair warning: I’ve listened to it 25 times and I still can’t hear it without crying during the second movement. I will probably always cry. (Hint: that should be your goal – to make me cry. If that happens, things are going well).

Interestingly enough, I read somewhere recently that experiencing goosebumps when listening to music is not a universal experience. As many of you know (see: Hallelujah, City of Dreams, etc), I also cry. Usually the goosebumps start first (arms and torso, if you must know), followed immediately by the water works. That’s just what happens when it’s SO BEAUTIFUL I CAN’T EVEN. Yet more proof that I’m a weirdo – but a music-loving one!

Now, I must be off as I’ve fallen down the Classic FM rabbit hole and MUST listen to a Rottweiler “sing” Bach’s “Air on the G String.” (I am not even kidding. See).

See you on June 5!

Well, we’re off and running! We had excellent turnout for our first rehearsal and I’m really excited about what we’ll accomplish this year! We’re off to a fantastic start!

We are, for the last time, at Osborne St Legion (#252) this week. The doors will be locked at 10 am, so please be sure to arrive on time. I will post my cell number, but I didn’t feel or hear it this weekend. (I have a plan to be better, but I don’t know if it will work yet).

Here’s the list (in no particular order) of pieces I’d like to focus on this coming week:

• 71 – Garlandstone
• 44 – Glee Showstoppers
• 66 – Arctic Fire
• 69 – City of Dreams
• 70 – Maple Leaf Forever
• 22 – The Stripper
• 51 – Entrance of the Gladiators
• 72 – Where No Man Has Gone Before

Now, for some listening links!

There are LOTS of recordings of City of Dreams out there – for reasons, it’s very popular in Singapore (I promise, I will explain, but I’ll wait until Wednesdays because there’s a LOT to cover!) – this one is my favourite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUexzRDCl5U.

Here are some links related to Glee Showstoppers:

Firstly, the arrangement we’re playing (I LOVE the leiderhosen!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlnRKKwy2jQ

And the various components: Jump – Van Halen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM, Total Eclipse of the Heart – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo, Safety Dance – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjPau5QYtYs, Dream On – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfZ8uWaOFI

Finally, here’s the link to The Maple Leaf Forever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8y1qsJUqKM

I hope to see most of you on Saturday!

Good evening, folks!

Just a quick note to remind everyone that our first rehearsal of the season is on Saturday, May 18 from 10 am – 12 pm at Legion #252 on Osborne St.

Please don’t forget to bring a music stand! (And since I forgot to mention it in the mass email to all community bands, we may need some spares for new faces, so I would be ever so grateful if those who have a spare stand, and are able to bring it along, would do so).

We have also had some technical glitches (due to a software update), so it’s possible that blog notices have not been received. We are doing our best to fix things from our end. We’ll keep you posted as best we can.

Hope to see you on Saturday!