Ecstatic in Illinois
I’m back in Austin tonight, after boarding a flight in the snow in Chicago, and walking off the plane into 86 degree heat 2 and half hours later. Good to be home… 🙂
Last night, the [wind ensemble of the] Fighting Saints of St. Charles East HS gave a very successful performance of Ecstatic Waters, after a FULL first half consisting of Newman’s Avenue X, my own Dusk, Joseph Spaniola’s Escapade, and Wataru Hokoyama’s Fanfare. Oh, and they also played RB Hall’s march, Independentia to close the concert…because Director Jim Kull is crazy – uh – ambitious with his programming. 😉 I think he’s addicted to stress, because Ecstatic Waters alone is a big production to perform! Many thanks are due to John Mizanin for making the sound setup flawless, Gil Wukitsch for keeping me from getting lost in the score, Jim Kull for taking on this project to begin with, and the band for working so hard and rising to the challenge of this music. You all did a wonderful job, and I had a great time! I hope all y’all stay warm up there! 🙂
Now, gotta practice Radiant Joy – I’m conducting it with the Greater Dallas Youth Wind Symphony at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX, on Sunday!