Can you hear me now? Good!

(cell phone rings)

"Hello?"

"Jim -- Milt Allen, Ohio State University."

"Hey man, how's it going?"

"Good, good -- listen, I've got this idea I want to pass by you before we rehearse Courage & Compassion today. I want to see what you think. Where are you?"

"I'm with Nicki, waiting at the drive thru of a Dunkin Donuts. She's giving me a ride to work."

"OK, well this is what I had in mind... [valiant attempt by conductor to verbalize musical approach to composer]"

"Wow Milt, I don't know. Can I think about it? When is your rehearsal?"

"Ummm... now. They're tuning up right now." (hear instruments tuning in background)

"Oh."

"Hey, why don't we play it for you?"

"Oh, umm... sure, I guess."

"OK FOLKS, I'VE GOT JIM BONNEY ON THE PHONE HERE," (laughter in background) "WE'RE GONNA TRY SOMETHING HERE, SEE WHAT HE THINKS... [valiant attempt by conductor to verbalize musical approach to ensemble]"

"Are you ready Jim?"

"Uh, yeah, OK -- go for it."

(conductor leads ensemble with baton in one hand and cell phone in the other)

"What do you think?"

"Hmmm... no, that's not working for me... [valiant attempt by composer to verbalize musical approach to conductor]"

"OK, we'll try that. OK FOLKS, WE'RE GONNA TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT NOW... [valiant attempt by conductor to RE-verbalize musical approach of composer to ensemble]"

"You ready Jim?"

"Sure man, let's hear it."