CCB Spring Concert

Our first concert with Lucinda Ellert as director went great! Especially considering the limited rehearsal time we had. We were at the Elks again, and that worked just fine for us. Because she had a conflict later in the day, we swapped our part of the program with the jazz band, and I think that worked okay - it didn't present any real problems, anyway.

Our audience was pretty good - they outnumbered the band, which isn't something we could boast of at some of our our concerts!

I also enjoyed introducing Lucinda at the start.

Here's our program:

• Flourish for Wind Band (listen below!)
• Army of the Nile
• First Suite in Eb
• The Sun Will Rise Again (listen below!)
• The Magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Suite Miniature*
• III. Moment Triste
• IV. Tarentelle
• Eros Thanatos*
• Festival March*

* Arranged and directed by Timothy Moore

Flourish For Wind Band by ahconway

The Sun Will Rise Again by ahconway

Trombone's POV in the Pit

Here's my view from the pit. I'm at the back on this side, with only the percussionist behind me. Fortunately for me, I can see most of what goes on on stage when I'm not playing!

What I hear is usually quite different from what the audience hears. 

Here's the Pirates overture from the audience.

Pirates Overture by ahconway

And here's what I recorded from my seat:

Pirates Overture from the Trombone's POV by ahconway

Candidate Statement for Sudbury Savoyards Board of Trustees

Yesterday, I was elected to the Sudbury Savoyards Board of Trustees. Here's my the statement I submitted to the group in advance as part of the election process.

ABOUT ME
I’m a trombonist, and I live in Arlington with my wife and two daughters – all big G&S fans like me. The 2014 production of Pirates will be my third show with the Sudbury Savoyards, following The Gondoliers (2013) and Ruddigore (2012). I’ve also played The Mikado (second trombone, no less), The Yeomen of the Guard, and The Grand Duke, in addition to many other musicals. I’m the trombone section leader with the Chelmsford Community Band and President of the band’s board. Before settling in Arlington, I lived in London for many years, where I developed my appreciation for all things Victorian.*

WHY I'M INTERESTED
The Sudbury Savoyards has a different feel from other musical or theatrical groups with which I’m involved – this could stem from the charitable focus, or the tradition of the cast applauding the orchestra in the music room after each performance, a rare phenomenon indeed! I’m very interested in learning about what goes on in a production outside of the pit, and this seems an ideal opportunity pop my head above the parapet. I’ve also developed a deep appreciation for Gilbert and Sullivan and I would relish a chance to broaden my exposure beyond the trombone book. Finally, I admire the dedication of the Sudbury Savoyards  to relief of world hunger, and I would be honored to have a more direct role in supporting this mission.

WHAT I CAN OFFER
Apart from my boundless energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity, I do have a handful of practical skills that may prove useful. I led the search committee for a new conductor of the Chelmsford Band, so I’d be quite comfortable helping find directors. I also have lots of experience with nonprofit groups and fundraising.  I’m an I.T. guy in my day job, with various social media and marketing mumbo jumbo thrown in, if that’s any help.

* With the possible exception of doilies