Performance Team Rehearsal at the Wilsons

A Tuning the Air Journal

Thursday September 30, 2010 – Performance Team Rehearsal at the Wilsons

Jaxie was going to be a little late, due to a family obligation, so for the first few minutes of the rehearsal we focused on getting the “head” to Ninth Guitar E on its feet. The middle 8 was the only part we had not yet addressed, so the 3 sections split off for a few minutes to review and consolidate the parts. We came back and ran the new section several times with and without the metronome. We then put it into context and ran the entire head a number of times, mostly with the metronome. Finally, after Jaxie had arrived and settled in, the whole piece, beginning with the head, moving to the whacky-Williams improv section, and then returning to the head. Clearly, we can do this.

We then moved on to a systematic review of all of our repertoire, much of which we have not played together for some time. For the most part we did not stop to correct of fix anything. The function of the runthrough was more as a reality check; for the performers in terms of seeing where their personal work lies, and for the Music Director as he begins to put together the set list for opening night. We played (not necessarily in this order):

• Voices of Ancient Children
• Cultivating the Beat
• My Precious Dream
• Sigh and a Kiss
• Twilight
• Space Zombies! From Outer Space!
• A Day In The Life
• The Children’s Hour
• Vrooom into Thrak*

During the break, the conversation turned to the CGT’s visit to Seattle in November, and Paul’s suggestion of one particular piece we might join them for. This segued into the presentation by Lost Pedro of a CGT piece for consideration in the set, as well as the possibility of expanding it into a full group piece. Chris also mentioned the idea of expanding Pipeline for the large group.

Saturday will be the Open Circle in the morning and then Performance Team rehearsal in the afternoon. By then we will have a preliminary set list to work with and tweak as necessary. Monday evening will be a full tech/dress rehearsal at Fremont Abbey. Then… Thursday!





* I observed that as of the first week of December, I have been playing and performing this piece for 25 years.