Met Mr. McCann at rehearsal tonight. He has a reputation of being very demanding and tough. I found the rehearsal very productive and enjoyable. He is clearly a very fine musician, with excellent ears, and of course you know he is a great cornetist. In the very near future I'll be taking my first ever … Continue reading Philip McCann with Brighouse and Rastrick

Had another rehearsal with Jim Davis and The Lindley Band last night.  Still no word on our Draw for 24 October so we don't know if I'll be able to play considering the afternoon rehearsal and evening show with B&R the same day.  We should know by early next week.  I'll also be doing a … Continue reading More contest prep ideas (specific measures for cornets)

As you know our kids are enrolled in school here.  Hannah’s school is just over a mile away and Kate has to walk an additional ½ mile.  So each morning we set off on our walk to school about 30 minutes before Hannah has to be in class and 40 minutes before Kate has to … Continue reading A note on walking, public transport, and cars

Worked with The Lindley Band on contest preparation this past week. With MD Neil Jowett Monday and last week with Jim Davis (former Principal Cornet of B&R) who is taking Lindley to contest. One idea continuously articulated to the band: "Don't miss notes". They say it regularly in rehearsal. I must say it really ups … Continue reading Lessons from Contest Prep

As you know I'm playing with 2 bands.  Brighouse and Rastrick as well as The Lindley Band.  The rehearsal schedule is T, Th (7:45-9:45) and M,W (8-9:45) respectively.  So I can practice 2 or 3 hours during the day and then go to rehearsal 4-nights a week.  This is proving to be a ton of … Continue reading Rehearsal Schedules (ideas for change?)

Just returned from a quick visit to France with The Brighouse and Rastrick Band. I was able to play 3rd man down.  Will be 5th man down and "floating to all chairs as needed" for the rest of the fall as their current player has had to leave.  4th Man down auditions will start next … Continue reading France trip with B&R (UPDATED#2)

YouTube links will be (and are) posted on the Videos page of the blog.  Sarah took video of our flat and street.  Those are up on YouTube now. Cheers, B-

Greetings.  Last night I had a great rehearsal with The Lindley Band.  They continue to prove to be great people and a wonderful band.  I'm going to love being with them for 10-months.   Their website is here:  http://thelindleyband.co.uk/lindley.htm They have a contest coming up on Oct. 24.  I have a rehearsal and concert with … Continue reading Contest rehearsal with The Lindley Band

So you see #5 below about the contractor? I had another conversation with him today after we dropped off our kids at school. He was walking to breakfast and I was walking to the grocery store and then home. I asked again about his healthcare insurance and he was a bit more clear, or maybe … Continue reading Healthcare/NHS Correction

But first:  Here is our phone number if you dial from the US:  011 44 148 465 4889 So I have a few things to say about the National Health Service (NHS) here and our current healthcare “discussion” in the US. 1-to a person (and I have talked to about 25 people here about this) … Continue reading A long note on healthcare and the NHS