The Word 'Cool'

EDITOR'S UPDATE (as of April 2, 2010): Due to an arm injury, Leila Josefowicz is unable to perform in concerts next weekend. Pianist Adam Golka will replace Leila and perform Beethoven's First Piano Concerto.

Hi:

So on Saturday night my daughter visited from Steamboat Springs, Colorado and points out to me some little ones in the lobby dressed up and wearing Ruby Red Slippers alla Judy Garland in our wonderful pops concert using the full Wizard of Oz movie.  Cute as can be.  Kids of all ages have enjoyed the pops weekend.  And on Sunday, our management wisely chose to change our usual Sunday 7pm concert and make it an afternoon matinee - sounds like our Marketing Department hard at work.  What a wonderful time for our family audience.

Next week the ISO does not perform.  Proud to say my 7(8) piece band is performing at the Hilbert Circle Theatre for a NCAA Final Four Salute.  We will be playing the fight songs for all the Final Four teams (go Dawgs) and we will be talking to the band directors from Butler, W. Virginia and the other two finalists.  Just like the Academy Awards:  "and now ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for sports commentator Jim Nance," we play walk-on music and fade out, etc. ISO percussionist Craig Hetrick and Mark Ortwein will be with me for this epic.  Many of my ISO colleagues enjoy music of all styles:  contemporary chamber music, solo opportunities, jazz, and rock. We have an accomplished organist (Bob Goodlett) - you name it.  Actually among our staff we also have singers, a trumpet player, a bassoonist, and, of course, business, marketing, arts administration specialists.  And among our ushers........????

The orchestra is very much looking forward to performing under Maestro Mark Wigglesworth on April 9 and April 10.  With world class violinist Leila Josefowicz (she looks as if she would blend into our Happy Hour audience!!)  Imagine the music of Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich.  I hope to see some of our Happy Hour audience at this concert. You will love it!!  Actually our Symphony on the Prairie audience would really enjoy this concert too!

See you at the Symphony!