Findings In Practice

I closed a very successful and sold out run of LES MISÉRABLES this past weekend!

I also got my music for tour and have been practicing like crazy because I leave this Saturday!

Thought I'd share this:

Orchestrators Can Be Clever Sometimes

Posts should become more frequent once I leave for tour!

Cheers!

Opening Night

We opened LES MISÉRABLES to a full house last night.

There was a technical issue with the lights and we had to stop the show right after we started the "Prologue", but we eventually ran the show with minimal lighting.

Here's hoping tech fixed the issue and tonight's show will go off without a hitch!

Entering Tech Week For LES MISÉRABLES

Here we go!

I'm entering the rehearsal period in the business known as "Tech Week".  

This is a period of time when the hours of rehearsal from the musicians and actors 

meets the hard work of the technical team (lights, sets, costumes, props, sound, etc.).

It can be a very stressful time, especially for the creative team.

Luckily, I'm just the percussionist in this production, which means my responsibilities are a lot less than they were as drummer/music director/conductor from my last gig.

A nice way to end my time here in Florida before leaving for tour!

Here are some pictures from rehearsal:

My Section

Behind The Scenes

Panorama View

A Slight Bump In The...Wrist?

Sorry for my recent absence.  I've been dealing with a bit of a crisis here.  

I've been having this horrible pain in my left arm, wrist, and shoulder for years now and I just haven't had the time to get it check out, until recently.

I got an x-ray, my doctor tells me I have a cyst in my wrist. 

*faints*

Upon further investigation by an orthopedic doctor, I find out that the cyst is only superficial 

*recovers...slowly* 

but that it is my ulnar nerve that is the issue. 

*almost faints again, but stays alert to find out what exactly that is*

Basically, I have what's called "cubital tunnel syndrome" 

as well as the "normal" swelling in my wrists from the nature of the job.  

He gave me a shot of cortisone and a topical anti-inflammatory and sent me on my way.

Here's hoping this pain goes away soon!

Fun Fact: the ulnar nerve is also referred to as the "musician's nerve".

 

Onward

We closed the short, but highly successful, 

sold out run of SPRING AWAKENING at the Henegar Center.

Cast and crew (sans Amanda) of SPRING AWAKEING

So, what's next?  

Well, I'll be leaving for tour here shortly, but, in the mean time, I'm putting on my percussionist hat to work on a production of LES MISÉRABLES.

I Love My Orchestra!

So, as you may or may not know, sound has been a real issue in the tiny space we are asked to 

perform an all out rock and contemporary show, i.e., LOUD SHOW!

We finally got it figured out, but, as a joke, the string section hands me these at last night's show:

A pair of Wendy's straws and a set of chopsticks

Oh, you don't have tickets yet?

Our entire opening weekend is SOLD OUT!

It's so nice performing for sold out audiences.

I'm also being told that there are very few tickets remaining for closing weekend.  

We are thinking of adding performances...Who knew this show would be a hit in Brevard County?

Greatful!

I'm pretty sure the reason we are selling so well is because this is written in my music:

Haha!