So this week things are picking up musically.
I’ve been contacting folks to play in the pit orchestra for “Big River” in April at my high school alma mater. It will be a small pit – bass, guitar/mandolin/banjo, drums, keyboards, trumpet, trombone, clarinet/flute/soprano sax. There’s also an “on-stage” group consisting of violin, harmonica and guitar. I’m not sure what the director has in mind, but I guess we’ll figure that out soon. I’ve done shows here for so many years and in so many roles – pit orchestra musician, vocal director, music director, conductor, director. When I attended this high school, we had a solid music program – 110 in the marching and concert band, probably 150 in the concert choir. Today there is no marching band, no concert choir – no music program at all. There is a group that leads worship for liturgies and they do a fine job. Unfortunately, there is not a single musician that attends the school that has expressed interest in playing in the pit this year.

I have another rehearsal coming up for “The King and I” at the local high school. I’ve played bass for them a few times and it’s always fun to get another perspective of high school musical theater -such a difference from my alma mater. At this high school, most of the pit is made up of high school musicians. I believe that there are only 4 musicians that are not high school or middle school students.

And then I had my first acting rehearsal for “Man of LaMancha.” The director blocked the first 30 pages of the script. It was an interesting process for me because I’ve never been the one who was told to cross right or left, upstage or downstage. AN interesting evening! In fact, the director told us that the man who was designing the set was supposed to be bringing a model of it to the practice. Imagine my surprise when a fellow alumnus of my high school and theater days at that school walked in carrying a brief case and a model! He did an amazing job and I really feel that when it is built, it will be an incredible set! Oh, and as he left he mentioned to me that he was dashing off to the high school to pick up his daughter who is in “Big River”.
Man of La Mancha Pictures 2-23-2007
In any case, I am excited and expectant. These next 3 months will be tough but so far am I looking forward to the challenge. Now if I could just figure out whether I have a cold or a sinus infection….