The Word 'Cool'

Hi All:

Well, guess who just called me!  Yes, Maestro Raymond Leppard - he sounded terrific.  And what did we discuss:

'spring coils & metal springs'

Raymond was looking at a score that called for this unusual percussion instrument.  I am reminded of the time I went to a great friend of the orchestra, the late Mickey Maurer, who at the time owned Wreck's -- We Meet by Accident. I walked his acreage with a metal hammer and found three automobile coil (thingies) that actually vibrated and sounded pretty good.  Mickey gave them to the ISO - I should have had him sign them - may he rest in peace.

So, years ago at Tanglewood a modern work called for this "boing sound'." I (my first visit to a auto salvage yard) went into the Berkshire Mts. and found four brakedrums (graduated sounds from high to low) and a couple of auto spring coils.  I went back to Tanglewood Buildings and Grounds - they used a lift and we trucked a giant tree stump to the administration building.  I mounted the "coils" on the stump.  I went inside and brought out the famous composer conductor Gunther Schuller (I started his son George - a NYC drumset artist on drum lessons-had to get that in).  I went up to the two mounted coils (looked like My Friend the Martian) -  struck them with hammers.  Gunther and I laughed so hard there were tears.

Wonderful hearing from Raymond!  We are so blessed by having him live in our community.

You see - if there is a modern or contemporary composition on a concert - all the more reason to go to it.  Because you never know what our PERCUSSION SECTION is going to be up to.

By the way - I will answer the question on how one becomes or trains to become an orchestra librarian soon.

Next year's season even has a talented 8th grade percussion student of mine (Maddi) excited.  I hope you are.  Many on our artistic staff have spent hours for over a year putting it all together.

That is it for now - as I write this the orchestra is preparing for tomorrow night (at 7:30) and Saturday nights concert.   Hope you will be there!

Bye for now!

Paul