Midwest 2004 (day 1)
Today was the first day of the Midwest Educator's Convention. For those who are unaware, about 12,000 band directors from around the world descend on the unsuspecting city of Chicago -- and for the past 4 years, BCM has been there. This is the 5th year all four of us (Eric, Steve, Newman, and I) have been here, and I think this year is starting out in a far more bizarre fashion than ever before.
For starters, the ceiling was leaking over our booth -- no one else's booth, just ours. In response to this, we went for our usual rebellious flair and moved all of the furniture out of the booth and into the aisle -- giving us EVEN MORE exposure to the baton-waving masses. Eric conducted his new piece, "Lux Aurorum", with the Northview High School Chamber Orchestra (yes, there were actually STRINGS!). A member of the Tokyo Kosei (possibly THE greatest wind ensemble on Earth) came by to tell me that they'd be performing Chaos Theory this year!
Newman and Bill Berz (Rutgers University) discuss Newman's latest commission...
... to be premiered at the CBDNA National Convention in New York City this February.
Director Chuck Throckmorton checks out the new BCM tunes from the aisle of the convention hall! Who needs a stinkin' booth?!?!?
Artist Ian Simmons (who did the cover for the new BCM CD) stopped by and signed a few posters for us!
After the show, instead of hanging out in the hotel lounge, Eric, Steve, and I went to meet Nicki at SpaceTimeTanks for an hour-long float in sensory deprivation chambers. It was Steve's and Eric's first time, and they were totally into the experience.
So after a little sushi, a little sake, and a little chocolate ice-cream, it's time to call it a day... and prepare for DAY TWO.
For starters, the ceiling was leaking over our booth -- no one else's booth, just ours. In response to this, we went for our usual rebellious flair and moved all of the furniture out of the booth and into the aisle -- giving us EVEN MORE exposure to the baton-waving masses. Eric conducted his new piece, "Lux Aurorum", with the Northview High School Chamber Orchestra (yes, there were actually STRINGS!). A member of the Tokyo Kosei (possibly THE greatest wind ensemble on Earth) came by to tell me that they'd be performing Chaos Theory this year!
Newman and Bill Berz (Rutgers University) discuss Newman's latest commission...
... to be premiered at the CBDNA National Convention in New York City this February.
Director Chuck Throckmorton checks out the new BCM tunes from the aisle of the convention hall! Who needs a stinkin' booth?!?!?
Artist Ian Simmons (who did the cover for the new BCM CD) stopped by and signed a few posters for us!
After the show, instead of hanging out in the hotel lounge, Eric, Steve, and I went to meet Nicki at SpaceTimeTanks for an hour-long float in sensory deprivation chambers. It was Steve's and Eric's first time, and they were totally into the experience.
So after a little sushi, a little sake, and a little chocolate ice-cream, it's time to call it a day... and prepare for DAY TWO.
2 Comments:
Hello BCM!! Say Hello to Dr. Whitlock from the Duluthians!!
Broavo to the BCM for prevailing and Bravo to Jim for the Tokyo gig!
Hope the rest of the convention goes even better!
See you at Christmas.
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