"Youth orchestra can be great... or it can suck. So much depends on leadership (like so much else in life). "

That goes double for community theater. We had a dress rehearsal last night for Guys and Dolls. The only full section oof the pit orchestra that showed up and remained for the entire rehearsal was the Reed section. I was both mortified and astounded at that. I have never before been in a pit orchestra anywhere that everyone was not present for the last rehearsal before the show. If I were the conductor, I would fire all those who did not show, and get replacements, even if I had to go to the show director and ask for money to pay them. There was one person who left early, but she can be forgiven; she showed up for the rehearsal, even though she was clearly not well. She stayed through the first act, but finally had to give up, and left before the second act started. She is also an excellent musician, and probably did not need the rehearsal nearly as much as the rehearsal needed her. That is also true of the entire reed section. We have all played this show, on the books we are playing for this production, many times. This is my eleventh production (eighth on the Reed III book) of the show, but each of the others in the reed section have played it at least three times, and two of the players have conducted the show twice each. Bu only one trumpet player stayed for the entire rehearsal, as did the pianist, bassist, and drummer. None of the other string players have been present for more than one rehearsal, and none appeared at the dress rehearsal. the trombone player made one rehearsal, and only was there for the first act of the dress rehearsal, as was the second trumpet player. He has not made any others of the rehearsals. It really was sad, and their playing reflected their lack of rehearsal time. Because of them, and the missing parts, the entire orchestra sounded bad for most of the show, except where there were reed soli passages. By the end of the rehearsal, the conductor was obviously very angry, and frustrated, and I can't say that I blame her. I just hope we get through opening night tomorrow without any train wrecks.

they....are better.

about 3 weeks ago, the horns were... pathetic. and that's coming from a horn player. they were joking and laughing so much they could not make entrances; i was the only one playing, so mortefied and terrefied you could hardly hear me. he finally rounded on that part of the section, said that if he caught them talking again he would fire every horn and have his friends come in. would be very happy to play mahlers' rondo from the 7th symphony.... lol. yeah.

so they really shut up. i kind of talked to them the next day, for orchestra rehearsal (that was during wind ensemble).... apparently they had both received about 20 talks about in the course of 24 hours, and were about to burst into tears. they also paid attention in theory class, and have sense. deffinate improvement....

but that doesn't mean i'm riling to make the commitment for next year, as much i very much want to. i dont know anyone else who is as gutsy as johnson, and plays as difficult or intricate music for the wind ensemble. on his note... johnson.... he's very funny. he's great individually; i love him as a private horn teacher. but he doesn't know how to do the mass ensemble pep talks.

so yeah... things are better. at least for this year. i'm terrefied for next year though.