For the final DHS Band performance of the year, the Jazz Band played a "corporate gig." This is when you are asked to provide background music for a company event. It's a common activity for a professional, jobbing musician, so it was a good experience for us. Our role was to play upbeat music in the 4-story, circular foyer of the Discover Financial Services headquarters in Riverwoods. The employees were lining the balconies of each floor, looking down to where we were performing, while the award winners from all around the country were introduced. Our challenge was to keep the music going continuously, so as we approached the end of a tune, I called up the next one. When we hit the cut-off, the rhythm section immediately started the next introduction vamp so the horn players could get their music ready, and away we went.
The group played quite well, in spite of a missing neckstrap and an oversleeping band member. It was a great way to have the seniors play one last time as members of the DHS band family. And with that, we close the door on another year (the 52nd!) in the history of the DHS Bands. Happy Summer!
It's official! On February 14, 2013, the DHS Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra will be traveling to Phoenix, Arizona for four days of performances and sightseeing. It's going to be a wonderful tour, and if you were with us last year in Montreal, you know that these trips are always a great experience, musically, educationally, and socially. Here are some of the activities we have planned:
