JSO & SPB - a transformation

Kamel Boutros, the Music Director of Calvary St George Church on Park Ave S & 21st st in NYC said, "You've transformed this orchestra."

Last night's performance was my first with the Jubilee Symphony Orchestra as its Artistic Director. Kamel has conducted them before and also appeared as a soloist with them. His comment was genuine and transformed my confidence from 'am I ever going to be a decent conductor again?' to 'Cool! I'm still good at my job!'

Also genuine was the audience's surprising response... in fact, I had to ask my wife if what I heard was true or if my ego was awash with pride. First, some context:
This concert was in New York City on a Saturday night - we were competing with the NYPhil, the Met, a Carnegie Hall recital, etc, etc. We were also performing at the same time Joel Osteen was in town. Not all our members are professional musicians, and attracting an audience was tough from day one. The fact that it would be an audience from a tough [read: critical] town didn't help. HOWEVER! About 300 people did turn up, and they applauded.

Here's my observation: When finishing each of the pieces I conducted, I turned and bowed (the traditional manner of saying 'thank you for listening'). I turned and got the orchestra to their feet, thanked them, then faced the audience again. The applause seemed to increase in volume, dramatically. This is unusual. It would indicate that the audience enjoyed the performance but specifically appreciated the conductor's efforts to produce excellent music and not get in the way by dancing around the podium. This reaction caused me to smile - no, beam - and not letting it get to my head I asked Melissa if I did actually hear an increase in applause volume. She said yes, and reported that the audience did enjoy my music making.

Phew! I haven't lost it! And then Kamel's compliment helped round off the buzz.

Unfortunately, I didn't press 'record' on the video camera before the first half so I missed capturing the VERY BEST piece on the program - which was played well (Faure: Masques & Bergamasques), but here's a little bit of the second half (Honegger: Pastorale D'Ete) in which I had my work cut out for me: the flute player got lost, and the violins got ahead. At least we ended together!



You know, I thoroughly enjoyed last night's concert, and really appreciate the support of all the players, Chris & Miriam, the usher hanging out in the lobby watching me pace during pieces I wasn't conducting, Ginny the Chorus Director, Kamel for the use of his venue, and Melissa & her friend Rachel for their patient support - I was distracted all day and even sang a little "I'm annoyed" ditty in the car when we got stuck in traffic and I was 20mins late.

Ah well. All in all a good first concert, methinks. I'm REALLY looking forward to this orchestra's future (including all nine Beethoven symphonies in one year!).

Junk Percussion

Woah, this takes me back!
Not too long before "Stomp" was born (1991 in Brighton UK) I was teaching teenagers throughout the England how to make music using junk. I called it Junk Percussion back then, and we met for one day workshops. It was fun, entertaining, inspiring, and very well attended. You should have seen the parents' faces at 4:30pm when they came to se a 'performance' of the day's activities! LOL

Anyway, a few years later Stomp began and now junk percussion is a normal world-wide phenomenom and has been taken to the dizzying heights of entertainment beyond Broadway and the West End. (Oh, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't the first person to invent a percussion ensemble playing just garbage cans, paper bags and empty soda bottles!)

BUT...

This blew me away. Here's a promotional video of a HUGE world touring group, Mayumana (foot-hand). Make sure you're seated - the energy of these superhumans is inspiring. They added more dance as well as singing to their percussive creativity:




Some of their most ingenious moments are without instruments at all:




And yes, like Stomp, they've done commercials. For Cocoa Cola:




You should really check out as many of their videos as you can. Their TV appearances are pretty fantastic, too:

Portable lighting

Energetic Garbage Cans


All in all, I must say I still am enamoured the most with the original - Stomp. Imagine about 12 introvert spotty kids in a smelly classroom with the chairs and tables pushed to one side, on a hot Saturday afternoon. We did this (Well, not QUITE like this). We took brooms and threw them, stamped them, knocked them, played them with a stick, danced with them, danced without them, and HAD A BALL!




This is just GREAT -
Basketballs!!



One last indulgence... NOTHING tops BLAST! EVER.
Wait for 40 seconds in: