A Message from Conductor, Bob Halseth
“It wasn’t much… just six of us: 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, a bass clarinet and a conductor, meeting in the living room of Cindy Teresi to record a blueprint of sorts, a click-track minus the click, for the rest of the members of Sierra Nevada Winds to follow. Thus begins our next virtual performance project, our next journey: Sheltering Sky, John Mackey’s seductively slow, beautifully unveiled wind band portrait of that captivating title, for now recorded by just a handful of us via Patrick Dunnigan’s 4-part adaptable ensemble arrangement. During our 390 days apart, we’ve managed just three virtual recordings, by living composers whose work we greatly respect – Frank Ticheli, Julie Giroux and Carl Strommen, all of whom have given us great encouragement: “lovely,” “absolutely fantastic,” and “outstanding virtual performance.” We couldn’t have done any of it without the wonderful playing of our members and the genius of sound engineer Mike Isom. Two of the pieces also benefitted from percussion underpinnings, recorded in July, thanks to the help of Dave Lawrenson. But even with all that has gone before, this time felt different. Just five players. No masks.
It wasn’t much, but it was everything.”
It has been an exceedingly difficult year for us all. This first step back into making music was, quite simply, wonderful! We will be doing our best in future months to get our ensemble back together and performing concerts once again. This has to be done, of course, following all the appropriate safety protocols. We are also dependent upon the use of high school band rooms to rehearse, and we must wait until those are open again. We look forward to the day when we can once again invite you to a live concert!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
BIG DAY OF GIVING
From midnight to 11:59 p.m. on May 6!
http://www.bigdayofgiving.org
GIVE: If you are able, you may donate to The Sierra Nevada Winds by visiting https://www.bigdayofgiving.org/sierranevadawinds on Thursday, May 6, and making a gift with a credit or debit card. Donations as little as $15 make a big difference. (If you’d like, starting Thursday, April 22, you can schedule your gift in advance of Big Day of Giving, just so you don’t forget!) If you make a donation in a loved one’s honor, the website will send that person an email to let them know.
SHARE: Let your networks know that you support our cause by sharing our posts on your social media accounts. A good word from a donor like you is the most meaningful way for us to spread our mission. Thank you!
