Orchestra Fun

Greetings, friends,

If your schedule is open (or can be opened ;-) ) Monday night July 20 or July 27, please consider coming to Gaithersburg to read some great orchestra music with the Montgomery Philharmonic, just for the fun of it.

Sessions start at 7 PM, and you can get the address from our website.

July 20 we will be reading Beethoven's 4th symphony and Rossini's overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers, and July 27 will be our last session for this summer, featuring Respighi's Fountains of Rome and the violin concerto by Tchaikovsky, immediately followed by a mini-concert by our summer youth program, and an ice cream social.

I hope to see you there!

Orchestral Reading Sessions

The Montgomery Philharmonic is offering you a chance to read some of the great orchestral literature. If you have Monday evenings open, please consider joining us for a look at some of the great music below. If you're interested, reply to me for more specific schedules and contact information.

The repertoire is set to include:

• Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Op. 67
• Dvorak – Symphony No. 8 in G, op. 88
• Tchaikovsky - Capriccio Italiene, op. 45
• Ravel – La Valse
• Holst – The Planets – Complete
• Dvorak – Symphony 9 in e minor , op. 95
• Brahms – Schicksalsleid, Opus 68
• Haydn – Symphony No. 94 in G Major (Surprise)
• Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in d minor
• Haydn – Symphony No. 96 in D Major (Miracle)
• Mozart – Symphony No. 39 in Eb Major, K.543
• Beethoven – Symphony No. 7 in A major, Opus 92
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5, in e minor, op 64
• Brahms – Symphony No. 2 in D Major, op. 73

Seeking Strings

I just became aware of a choir scheduled to perform Bach's Christ Lag in Todesbanden and Puccini's Messe di Gloria this Sunday evening. They're looking for violins, violas and cellos.

Rehearsals are tonight (Monday), Tuesday and Friday, but the group seems to be flexible on rehearsal demands. Contact me for more information if you're interested.

Brass Survey

If you play or used to play a brass instrument, and might be interested in playing "once in a while" or more frequently, please shoot me a reply.

Similarly, if you know someone who plays or used to play, please encourage them to get in touch with me.

Thank you!

Seeking Violinists

[If you know someone (teacher, friend, whom ever) who needs to see this message, please make sure that they do.]

Chamber Music Weekend is very nearly full for our 2008 session. However, we are holding openings for three advanced violinists.

Our description of advanced (for these purposes) is "Confident leader, few technical concerns, solid chamber music experience." If this describes you, or you feel that you might be close to fitting this description, please get in touch with me, or register via the web site.

Chamber Music Weekend '08

String Players,

I want to be sure you're aware of Chamber Music Weekend, a yearly event run by my family. I would love to make music with you there this year.

By the way, the price goes up a little bit one week from today, so you can get in for less if you register before then.

And please keep this event in mind when you're talking with other string players, student or adult, professional or amateur.

Montgomery Phil. Concert

Hello friends,

This year has brought a new thing in our family life: we've all joined the Montgomery Philharmonic. This is William and Beth's first real symphony involvement, so it's something of a milestone for us.

Our first concert is this coming Sunday (March 16) at 7 PM in Gaithersburg. You can check the website for more information.

We hope to see you there!

Bach Cantata for Good Friday and Vigil

The apostle Paul begins one of the most hope-filled passages of all Scripture with the words "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren," and it is in that spirit that I write to you now, because I want you to know about the opportunity before you.

Rockville United Methodist and Trinity Lutheran of Bowie are joining forces to present the Good Friday and Easter Vigil services this year, Friday evening in Rockville, Saturday evening in Bowie.

The music will include Bach's cantata Christ Lay in Death's Dark Bonds, the Crucifixus a 8 by Lotti, and Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus.

Here's the opportunity part: You are invited to sing with us.

Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings in Bowie at 8:15, and Thursday evenings in Rockville at 7:30.

For more information, or to otherwise share words of comfort, send a note to me.

More Specific String & Timpani Needs

I've gotten an update on the needs for the Judas Maccabaeus orchestra:

• 2 violins or violas
• 1 cello
• 1 timpanist with access to timpani

Judas Maccabaeus Winds

Hi again,

In addition to string players, the previously-mentioned Handel oratorio sing-along could use a few more wind players, as follows:

• 1 oboe
• 1 bassoon
• 1 French horn
• 2 trumpets

Let me know if you're interested.

Rehearsal is December 2 at 7 PM, and the event is December 8 at 7 PM.