News

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter February 2009

web: users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

email: zxyreece@adam.com.au

edition no 2/09

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

We are now well into the New Year with almost all band members returning. It is therefore time to address the more formal part of our activities with our AGM. For those members not used to AGM processes, we are required by the democratic process to approve our accounts, report on the previous year’s activities and ensure (as far as is possible) that we are well equipped to pursue our activities for another year.

We will also be looking to elect a new Committee which will be responsible for the Band’s affairs. Your outgoing Committee asks that each member kindly consider nominating for a Committee position in order to keep us functioning as effectively as possible.

WHEN:THURSDAY, 12^TH MARCH 2009

As usual we will play until half time, then adjourn for the meeting. All members are requested to attend if at all possible.

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VALE NORM PURSCHE

We must sadly report the passing of one of the Band’s founder members, Norm Pursche. Whilst one of our more senior citizens, Norm was very enthusiastic about making the then “Late Starters’ Band” a success. A very accomplished trombonist, Norm gave great encouragement and help to our group of untried, mostly beginner trombonists (yes, it was a group – we had SIX!! then).

Norm was born in Tanunda on 4^th February, 1921 and, like many young men of the time joined the Army during World War 2. He was a member of 2/10 Commando squadron and was sent to New Guinea to undertake dangerous and secret activities on behalf of the Allies.

Many band members would also remember Norm’s wife, Shirley, who always came to our performances and often provided us with delicious cakes and other sweet treats.

RIP Norm.

MUSICAL DEFINITIONS

* string quartet: a good violinist, a bad violinist, an ex-violinist, and someone who hates

violinists, all getting together to complain about composers.

* detache: an indication that trombones are to play with slides removed.

* glissando: a technique adopted by string players for difficult runs.

* risoluto: indicates to orchestras that they are stubbornly maintain the correct tempo no

matter what the conductor tries to do. (hello Darryl).

* senza sordino:a term used to remind the player that he/she forgot to put their mute on a

few

measures back.

* Conductor: a musician adept at following many people at the same time (hello Darryl).

* clef: something to jump from before the trombone solo.

* transposition: the act of moving the relative pitch of a piece of music that is too low for

the tuba to a point where it is too high for the trumpets.

* vibrato: used by singers to hide the fact that they are on the wrong pitch.

* bar line: a gathering of people, usually among which may be found a musician or two.

* cadence: when everyone hopes you’re going to stop but you don’t.

* diatonic: low calorie Schweppes.

* lamentoso: with handkerchiefs.

* Oboe: an ill wind that nobody blows good.

* diminished fifth: empty bottle of Jack Daniels.

* big band: when the bar pays enough to bring two banjo players.

* cut time: 1, parole.

2. when everyone else is playing twice as fast as you.

* passing tone: frequently heard near the baked beans at family barbecues.

* french horn: your wife says you smell like a cheap one when you come in at 4am.

* audition: the act of putting oneself under extreme duress to satisfy the sadistic intentions of

someone who has already made up their mind.

* augmented fifth: a a 36oz bottle.

* broken consort: when someone in the ensemble has to go to the toilet.

* cantus firmus: the part you get when you can play only four notes.

* embouchure: the way you look when you’ve been playing the Krummhorn.

* intonation: singing through one’s nose. Considered highly desirable in the Middle Ages.

* isorhythmic motet: when half of the ensemble got a different edition.

* musica ficta: when you lose your place and have to bluff until you find it again.

* metronome: a city-dwelling dwarf.

* allegro: leg fertilizer./

* transsectional: an alto who moves to the soprano section.

TEA AND COFFEE ROSTER

	Trumpets B
26th Feb	Roger	Blackwell	Bruce	Cook	Michael	Noyce	Jim	Wishart
5th March	Roger	Blackwell	Bruce	Cook	Michael	Noyce	Jim	Wishart
12th March	Roger	Blackwell	Bruce	Cook	Michael	Noyce	Jim	Wishart
19th March	Roger	Blackwell	Bruce	Cook	Michael	Noyce	Jim	Wishart
	Clarinets A
26th March	Ian	Burchell	Vivienne	Coburn	Annette	Day	Roslyn	Ferris
2nd April	Ian	Burchell	Vivienne	Coburn	Annette	Day	Roslyn	Ferris
9th April	Ian	Burchell	Vivienne	Coburn	Annette	Day	Roslyn	Ferris
16th April	Ian	Burchell	Vivienne	Coburn	Annette	Day	Roslyn	Ferris
	Clarinets B
23rd April	Steve	Heath	Wendy	Lateu	Jan	Lee	Meredith	Radoslovich
30th April	Steve	Heath	Wendy	Lateu	Jan	Lee	Meredith	Radoslovich
7th May	Steve	Heath	Wendy	Lateu	Jan	Lee	Meredith	Radoslovich
14th May	Steve	Heath	Wendy	Lateu	Jan	Lee	Meredith	Radoslovich
	Clarinets C
21st May	Chris	Say	David	Smith	Georgina	Smith	Brian	Taylor
28th May	Chris	Say	Say	Smith	Georgina	Smith	Brian	Taylor
4th June	Chris	Say	Say	Smith	Georgina	Smith	Brian	Taylor
11th June	Chris	Say	Say	Smith	Georgina	Smith	Brian	Taylor
	Trombones / Bass
18th June	Roger	Boettcher	John	Cunningham	Maurice	Lateu	Rick	Coburn
25th June	Roger	Boettcher	John	Cunningham	Maurice	Lateu	Rick	Coburn
2nd July	Roger	Boettcher	John	Cunningham	Maurice	Lateu	Rick	Coburn
9th July	Roger	Boettcher	John	Cunningham	Maurice	Lateu	Rick	Coburn

Some of those listed above are temporarily absent. It remains to be seen if they will be available on their allotted dates. Other, newer members may wish to take their place. Please see your Committee member if you are in this position.

INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED

Well, here it is again. Just when you thought it was safe to return to your usual instrument, we have found some more remarkable additions to the orchestra. Who has not heard of the Mijwiz?

The Mijwiz is a wind instrument from Arabia, somewhat like two clarinets stuck together. It is closely related to the Middle Eastern bagpipes. It has different names in various countries – muzmar baladi, zumara, jufti and mitbaj. It is obviously played with fingers covering the holes, sometimes stretched across both barrels. They have single reeds, approximately 15mm long and they take up the first section of the instrument. Happy blowing!!!!!

(Ref. The ABC Book of Musical Instruments.)

THE MIJWIZ

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ADVICE, COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS

Any member with ideas about The Windbag, including appearance, style, contents is invited to contact the Editor at email:

zxyreece@adam.com.au

The above also applies to birthdays, weddings anniversaries or events which you think the Band would be interested in.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STOP PRESS!

Last minute advice of first performance of the year.

GIG GUIDE

Where: Philip Kennedy Centre

Kennedy Court,

Largs Bay

When: Sunday 29^th March 2009-02-25

Time: To be advised

EDITOR.

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter October 2008

web: http://users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

edition no 7/08

ST.COLUMBA’S PERFORMANCE

A bright sunny October day saw our warmest performance (temperature wise) for the year. With the sun beating down on the trumpets, trombones and drummer particularly, a brilliant defensive manoeuvre by Josie in pegging a sheet to the nearest tree, prevented a serious mass outbreak of sunburn.

Meanwhile, the local parishioners got full value for money with possibly our longest programme yet. This led in turn to band members’ heavy patronization of the barbecued sausage stall and drinks kiosk. All in all, another one for the poolroom.

ABSENT FRIENDS

Most members would remember Sue Leverton, our former drummer. Sue has for some time been a remote – area nurse at Yuendumu in the Tanami Desert, Northern Territory. In this remote desolate place, Sue has made the most of the limited opportunities for successful gardening. She has done so well that she has been nominated for the ABC Gardener of the Year. (No doubt drummed up a lot of support.)

The article reproduced below is from the November issue of Gardening Australia.

LOL

OUR REPETOIRE – MARCH OF THE BELGIAN PARATROOPERS

This bright tune was written by Belgian composer and musician,Pierre Leemans b.1897.

Whilst in the Belgian army at the end of WW1 his Regimental Commander asked him to compose a march. He never finished it. After WW2 he was dining with some Paratroopers who also asked him to write a march. He remembered the theme of what he had written all those years ago and when he got home, sat down and completed the March of the Belgian Paratroopers. This march has become quite famous and among numerous bands and orchestras it was recorded by Benny Goodman, the "King of Swing" on the album "Benny in Brussels". (wikipedia – online encyclopaedia)

INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED PART 8

Whilst on the reed instrument family, we should mention the double reed CONTRABASSOPHONE, which every aspiring reed player should have in their armoury. It was invented circa 1850 by German bassoon maker, Heinrich Haseneier as a substitute for the contrabassoon (in which the sound was too muffled to be satisfactory.) It was different in that it had a larger bore with large tone holes covered by padded keys, as opposed to the long oblique fingerholes in bassoons,. The fingering system is similar to the Boehm system with the lowest note being lowest C on the piano or contrabassoon. The resulting instrument was considered too powerful to play with an orchestra. (Courtesy Journal of American Musical Instrument Society, Vol.XII, 1986, pp.68-106)

GIG GUIDE

23 Nov Whitmore Square Arts

Fair – play 11am

5 Dec Christmas break-up at

Prospect Petanque Club

TEA AND COFFEE ROSTER

6th Nov Louise Aggiss   Ursula Dorocki   Heather Hale   Jane Abbott

13th Nov Louise Aggiss   Ursula Dorocki   Heather Hale   Jane Abbott

20th Nov Louise Aggiss   Ursula Dorocki   Heather Hale   Jane Abbott

27th Nov Louise Aggiss   Ursula Dorocki   Heather Hale   Jane Abbott

Now for a completely new section of your Windbag – meeting the needs of ALL members

ROMANCE

It's your FIRST KISS and several questions might come to mind:

Is it the right time?

Is anyone watching?

Does your partner even want to?

Is your breath fresh?

AND,---Should you use some tongue?

Then you say . . ..

'What the heck!' and Just Go for it!!!

This must be a 2nd or 3rd child... because Mum grabbed the camera and not the kid!

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter September 2008

web: http://users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

edition no.6/08

WHERE THE B….. HELL ARE YOU?

Our stunning performance at the August Strathalbyn Band Festival was magnified only by our brilliant playing when half way through “Mack the Knife”, the lights went out. Not to be deterred, we were at our best when we continued as though nothing happened. Our answer to the question of “how could you keep playing when unable to watch the conductor?”. was a clear and unequivocal “easily”! We are most proficient at this having done it for a number of years. Just to demonstrate our skills even further, we then played Malaguena completely in the dark. (This was changed just a little when a bright spark opened one of the doors behind the sage to let some light in and then proceeded to stand in the doorway for the rest of the number.)

MYSTERY GOURMET

As usual, after our stint at the Town Hall we adjourned to the pub for an excellent repast. Some of the latecomers however, were disconcerted by the limited choices on the menu. Who was the mystery reed player who quietly seduced the Head Waiter into giving him a dish w

NEW MEMBER WELCOME

Welcome to new member of the clarinet section, Chris Say.

“Chris, how did this all come about?”

Having grown up in a non-musical family, my first dabble with instrument playing began in my university days with a desire to play Celtic music. I had a descant recorder that I started to learn as a prelude to my real musical target: the tin-whistle. I did eventually get a tin whistle but it disappointed me greatly so I persevered with the recorder. Thus started a long & continuing marriage with the recorder that still persists to this day although my tastes have moved quite a distance from jigs & strathspeys. I started to explore early music (especially Morley & Dowland) before shifting to some of the strong recorder Baroque repertoire (Telemann, Handel, Bach). More recently I’ve been introduced to some 20^thC works (Hindemith, Staeps) that has been very challenging & fascinating.

I had often said in passing that one day it would be interesting to try a reed instrument & about 10 years ago my wife presented me with a clarinet as a Christmas gift while we were working remotely in the NT. Having no teacher available I tinkered with it before having some lessons back in SA where I developed a stronger interest in jazz. My family have put up with a lot throughout this time: I could break glass at 50m when I was first learning clarinet & even now our cats politely & silently get up & leave the room every time I even open my clarinet case let alone play anything.

I also started playing duets a few years back & in 2007 saw a local article inviting players to join the Mount Barker Band. I stuck my toe in the water there for 6 months where there was a strong brass contingent of trombones, trumpets, tubas, euphoniums & saxes but only 2 or 3 clarinets. The standard of performance & discipline of playing with a smaller group of very talented musicians did a lot for my sight reading & performance skills but I found it generally exceeded my capabilities so I looked to find a bigger group where I could manage better & 2^nd Wind has satisfied that need well.

Where to from now musically? I’d like to develop my clarinet performance further & maintain my ongoing passion with the tenor recorder. I’ve been particularly working with some great Australian music written especially for recorder from NSW that also includes ‘vocalised recorder’ ie singing into the instrument while playing. Unfortunately my voice is at an even more primitive stage than my playing ever was so I don’t know where this will lead. I’ve started a brief liaison with my daughter’s alto sax but at the moment we’re having a rest from each other but may get together again some time in the future. And lastly I have recently bought an oboe …………

As for my life outside 2^nd Wind: I’m lucky to have a great family with 3 kids in their late teens/early 20’s & live in the Hills where I work as a procedural GP.

_________________________________________________________________________________

BAND WORKSHOP

Another successful workshop was conducted on 6^th September, courtesy of Darryl Pope and Wilderness School. Members were assisted with their instruments and performance skills by an excellent group of tutors, among them being:

Warren Heading – trumpets (arguably Adelaide ’s finest trumpeter

Karen Fletcher – flutes (Karen has conducted us several times in the past)

Steve Eades – clarinets (Steve also conducted in Darryl’s temporary absence)

Tom Pulford - saxes

Darryl Pope - Trombone and Tuba

At the conclusion of the group sessions, all came together to introduce three new numbers, “Sing, sing, sing”, “The Thunderbirds” and “March of the Belgian Paratroopers”. After some tentative beginnings, it was agreed that the performance of these new pieces was much enhanced by the tuition received.

Much appreciation is due once again to Darryl and his complement of excellent musicians.

**********************************************

LOL

INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED PART 7

Although past issues have concentrated mainly on the large and unusual brass family, we now move on to the reed instruments. However, of several instruments described as brass, some also had reeds, such as the Ophicleide and Sarrusophone.

When the Belgian, Adolphe Sax patented his inventions in 1846 he had 10 different variations. Nowadays the popular saxophones are the Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass, but over the years there have been Sopraninos, C melody (like the Tenor), and Contrabass saxophones. In recent times we have had the addition of Sopranissimos, Soprlilos, Contraltos, Subcontrabass and Tubaxes.

In my youth (long ago), when visiting Brisbane, I used to occasionally go to the now sadly demolished Cloudland Ballroom. The Bandleader there, Lali Hegyi, who was originally from Hungary had a Bass sax with which he lead the band. He had to play it standing up and it was taller than he was.

GIG GUIDE

18 Oct - St.Columba’s Uniting Church Fete

Arrive - 9.30am

Play - 10am-12noon

The late Gerard Bastovski, the greatest contrabass saxophonist who ever lived.

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter June 2008

web: users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

edition no.4/08

ARKABA HOTEL

Sunday 1^st June saw arguably our best performance to date, with the crowd at the SA Music History Hunters gathering showing generous applause. Like the organisers, they no doubt were surprised by the size of our Band, but nevertheless appeared to appreciate our efforts. They certainly seemed to like our interpretation of “Malaguena” as a finale. Who knows, this might become our regular “sign-off” number?

MEMBER PROFILE – JAN LEE, CLARINET

In this section we intend to bring you the intimate details of the person sitting next to you. In time we hope to cover the whole band. So….. here is member of the month, Jan:

I was on the back of a truck somewhere in an Iranian desert in 1974 and one of my travelling companions was a young American music teacher. He said that he thought the clarinet was a good instrument for a beginner with no previous musical experience. He was, I now recall, a trumpeter himself, so that explains a lot.

On my return to Adelaide in 1978 I bought a clarinet and had my first taste of this singularly beautiful and frustrating instrument. After about 15 months I put the damned thing in a cupboard for the next 25 years.

Sometime later, maybe 2001, I heard Darryl and Margaret (?) being interviewed on radio about the Second-Wind Ensemble. I was intrigued by the idea of a late starters band and though it took a few years more to get organised, I remembered the name and was able to find you on the internet. I had 6 months of lessons and then took the plunge.

I’ve been playing in the back row now for 3 years. I’ve gone from playing about 20% of available notes, to being able to follow (if not play) most of the charts. Even though I still finding reading music a real struggle, and the fingers are not as dextrous as I would wish, I enjoy the teamwork and the sense of making a contribution to the sound of the whole. The camaraderie among the 3d Clarinets makes every rehearsal fun.

My musical tastes are pretty conservative: Mozart and the 3 Bs. I like opera. I like live performances where the unexpected might happen, so I go to Womad and folk festivals more than formal concerts. In the glove box of the Kombi at the moment are Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band, Vivaldi Recorder Concertos and Dexter Gordon Live at Carnegie Hall.

I have been a teacher most of my adult life and I’m 2 years away from retirement. For the last 15 years I’ve been at Thebarton Senior College – an adult re-entry school with a very good English program for newly arrived adult migrants and refugees. I teach Year 12 Legal Studies, and Classical Studies, and Year 11 Accounting, and Financial Skills. Which is as strange a combination of subjects as my record collection.

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INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED PART 5

Before we finally leave the low brass instruments, my friendly denizen of the musical deep has pointed out to me that I failed to mention the CONTRABASS TROMBONE AND THE SUBCONTRABASS TROMBONE. As these instruments are (as one can imagine) of immense size, we have reluctantly foregone the delight of picturing them here. However, those contemplating a switch to either or both of these may wish to consult Roger Bobo’s previously mentioned Newsletter “TubaNews.com”.

Moving on to the showpiece group, trumpets are in every kind of band imaginable. They are easily recognizable and apart from cornets they all appear pretty much the same. Most would have heard of PICCOLO trumpets and POCKET trumpets and even the BASS trumpet, but who would like to try the CONTRABASS trumpet?

The BASS trumpet is pitched an octave below the standard Bb trumpet and is similar in sound, but not the same, as a valve trombone. It is usually played with a trombone mouthpiece and hence, by a trombonist. The CONTRABASS trumpet is pitched in F, equivalent to an F bass tuba. It is essentially a pocket tuba. (who can fit one of these in their pocket?)

Contrabass trumpet is illustrated on left below, bass trumpet on right.

GIG GUIDE

10 Aug - Strathalbyn Band festival

21 Sept - City/Bay fun run

? Oct - St.Columba’s

Unfortunately our gig at the Australian Band & Orchestra Directors conference has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.

OUR REPERTOIRE – ON BROADWAY

Darryl’s decision to resurrect “On Broadway” is much appreciated by some of the band. It was written in 1963 by husband and wife team, Barry Man and Cynthia Weill (composers of “Uptown, You’ve lost that Lovin’ Feelin’, Saturday night at the Movies”) in combination with Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller (“Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Poison Ivy, Love Potion No.9).

Mann and Weill worked at no. 1650 Broadway, so they had an immediate subject for a song title. The song was introduced in cut time with a couple of recordings, but it was not until they combined with Lieber and Stoller, changed it to simple time and had it done by The Drifters that it became a hit. Incidentally, the Drifters’ recording had the famous (infamous?) Phil Spector in a lead guitar solo.

( # from “Tearing Down the Wall of Sound” by Mick Brown)

( # Wikipedia)

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome Steve Williams, new Tuba player. Steve was introduced to our group by Ruth Redfern, French Horn, who plays in the same recorder group as Steve.

It is very pleasing, especially to the low brass section, (all three of us) to have Steve add the depth and rhythm of the tuba.

Steve’s tuba experience goes back to the wonderful days of conscription, when he was called up in the 1960’s and went to the Army School of Music at Balcombe on the Mornington Peninsula. After a posting to the Armoured Corps at Puckapunyal Steve enjoyed typical Army hospitality playing at funerals, Anzac Day services, passing out parades etc.

I suspect we will appreciate his services much more than the Army did.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Members are invited to express their views on any item in the Windbag. Contributions are also invited. Applause, appreciation, gifts and bribes will be gratefully accepted. Personal abuse, vilification, lewd and improper comments will be treated with zero tolerance.

Email to: john.cunningham1@bigpond.com

EDITOR

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter March 2008

web: users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

edition no. 2/08

10^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter March 2008

web: users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

edition no. 2/08

10^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

It was 10 years ago that the first gathering was held at the sadly departed Flinders Street School of Music to form what was to become the Late Starters’ Band.

Approximately 70 enthusiastic would be musicians turned up to the call of those who had always wanted to play in a band but had never had the opportunity. Some had played an instrument, some had musical knowledge and others had nothing except the desire just to play music with others of a like mind.

Our first musical director was Bob Hower from the Elder Conservatorium. It was he who sorted out the pandemonium and got people to nominate their favoured instrument. (Your editor turned up intending to play the guitar but when he learned that it was to be a Wind Ensemble, he very quickly and logically changed to the trombone.)

Several kind souls from music hire organizations were in attendance and were able to cater to most people’s desires. However some members had dug out their old, well hidden heirlooms and almost forgotten childhood instruments. Eventually a sound was made which must have been like something from Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man”.

Shortly thereafter Bob Hower had to return to the USA and Darryl Pope kindly took over. Since that time the membership has chopped and changed but it would be fair to say that Darryl has made us what we are today. A very large “thank you” Darryl.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Our AGM was held at Pulteney Grammar School on 6^th March. 36 members were in attendance to hear the various official reports and engage in general discussion. Our outgoing President, Jim Helmore, reported on the Band’s activities for the year which included performances at eight venues and a very successful July workshop. The workshop was quite a highlight with Darryl arranging the use of Wilderness School and also the tutoring by a group of accomplished Adelaide musicians and teachers.

Our appreciation must go to Jim for his very efficient and pleasant conduct of his role as President. Thanks also must go to outgoing Committee members, Jane Alyce-Humphreys, Joan Cavagnaro and Richard Smith. It is pleasing to report that Richard Giles will continue as Treasurer and Madeleine Bresson, Brian Taylor and John Cunningham will continue as Committee members. And of course, a big welcome to Clive West who has kindly consented to take over as President.

We cannot leave the AGM report without mentioning the lovely Anniversary celebration cake which was enjoyed by all at the conclusion of the meeting.

SOCIAL GATHERING

A very enjoyable afternoon was had on 2^nd March at the King’s Park home of David and Georgie Smith. On a very warm afternoon the shady surrounds were conducive to a quite convivial gathering with much interesting discussion and general rubbish. Thank you once again Georgie and David.

PS Really enjoyed your large train set but don’t they keep you awake at night?

NEW MEMBERS

Chris Say has joined the sadly depleted clarinet section. Chris has played the clarinet for around 6 years but has 30 years of musical experience with the recorder. Welcome aboard Chris.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

With our continuing lack of low brass players your Committee has tried a number of ways to recruit. Retiring President, Jim Helmore has emailed eight different brass bands inviting players who might appreciate concert band experience. Several indicated that they would pass this on to their members. Jim also contacted the “Arts Diary” people at Radio 5MBS but to date has had no luck. Our Musical Director is also going to approach Dr.Kevin Cameron of the SA Band Association.

Now, with all the serious stuff out of the way it is time for another contribution from our regular Fun Doctor, Joan Cavagnaro. (Where do you get all this from Joan?)

ADAGIO FORMAGGIO ETC

Adagio Formaggio: To play in a slow and cheesy manner.

AnDante: A musical composition that is infernally slow.

Angus Dei: To play with a divine, beefy tone.

Anti-phonal: The prohibition of mobile phones in the Concert Hall.

A Patella: Unaccompanied knee slapping.

Appologgiatura: A composition, solo, or instrument you regret playing.

Approximatura: A series of notes played by a performer which is not intended by the composer.

Approximento: A musical entrance somewhere in the vicinity of the correct pitch.

Bar Line: What musicians form after a concert.

Concerto Grossissimo: A really bad performance.

Coral Symphony: (see Beethoven-Caribbean period).

Cornetti Trombosis Disastrous: The entanglement of brass instruments that can occur when musicians exit hastily down the stage stairs.

Dill Piccolino: A wind instrument that plays only sour notes.

INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED PART 3

Whilst we are still in the low brass section it would be remiss of us not to mention the Cimbasso. No it’s not a monkey singing bass but an Italian musical instrument, broadly of the Trombone family (from the Italian “Tromba”, meaning trumpet).

In early Italian Band music, the trombones were valve trombones which have a different timbre and velocity to the slide instrument. These were the instruments envisaged by Verdi, Rossini and Puccini when composing - giving a sound quite different to that of contemporary German music.

The Cimbasso is still played, for example in Verdi’s Requiem. It is essentially an Italian contrabass trombone. (Thanks to Roger Bobo from TubaNews.com.)

GIG GUIDE

# 15^th May – Electronic Music Club

# ?? July - (Darryl has flagged the possibility of us playing at the forthcoming Australian Band and Orchestra Directors’ Conference. More details when available.)

OUR REPERTOIRE – GEORGIA ON MY MIND

Hoagy Carmichael wrote the music in 1930. Stuart Gorell wrote the lyrics for Hoagy’s sister Georgia. It was performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Glen Miller, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday and Django Reinhardt among others but became a really big hit in 1960 when Ray Charles included it in his album, “The Genius Hits the Road.”

In 1979 the State of Georgia , USA adopted it as their official song.

Georgia has also been covered more recently by Michael Bolton, Van Morrison and Coldplay.

EDITOR

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The Second Wind Ensemble Newsletter January 2008

web: users.chariot.net.au/~cwesties/

Edition no. 1/08

HAPPY NEW YEAR

THIS IS A WELCOME BACK TO EVERYONE AND A REMINDER THAT WE RECOMMENCE THIS COMING THURSDAY 31^ST JANUARY 2008

FURTHERMORE, IN ORDER THAT EVERYONE WILL FEEL A WARM AND FUZZY WELCOME, YOUR COMMITTEE WILL BE PROVIDING SUPPER!

REVIEW OF MALLALA

Our final performance for 2007 at the CWA Mallala was most encouraging with a very appreciative audience, (so appreciative that our Director was seen being propositioned in the car park after the event!) not to mention the delightful supper afterwards. Unfortunately the good ladies hadn’t realized that whilst it was supper for them, most band members had left Adelaide around 5pm and of course hadn’t had any tea! Consequently the choice morsels disappeared very quickly.

A number of members expressed the view that it was a bit flat to finish our year without a celebratory function. If you agree with this you should make your feelings known to the committee so that this may be considered in plenty of time for next Christmas.

MUSICAL TRIVIA

Our Musical Director continues to demonstrate that he is much younger than most of us with his announcements regarding the origins of some of our pieces. For example Unchained Melody goes back a long way before the Righteous Brothers, Darryl.

The young lyricist who wrote the words to Unchained Melody waited a long time — 19 years — to hear it performed in public, but when the song finally hit the charts in 1955, it went straight to the top and has been there on and off for almost 50 years.

William Stirrat, 83, aka Hy Zaret (his pen name), still has a gleam in his eye when he remembers writing the lyrics. He was 16 years old and infatuated with "the prettiest girl in my neighbourhood.”

Stirrat wrote the words to "Unchained Melody" in 1936 when he was on a summer scholarship at Theatre School . It was there that he met Alex North, who composed the music. North, a composer and accompanist for a modern dancer at the time, was on the staff.

Unchained Melody first appeared in the movie "Unchained" in 1955

"It was a Top 30 charted tune by four artists when it was first released in 1955. Al Hibbler, from the great Duke Ellington orchestra, is believed to have been the first to sing the song. It has charted in the Top 100, 10 different times between 1955 and 1990. It was last charted in 1990 by the Righteous Brothers.

MERCY MERCY MERCY

I was fortunate enough to hear another version of this great number last year. The Buddy Rich big band made it sound somewhat different to what we produce. Nevertheless, ours could be seen as unique. By the way, Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul wrote this while playing with the Miles Davis quartet.

INSTRUMENTS I WISH I HAD PLAYED PART 2

Due to the lack of volunteers for the Heckelphone we thought our low bass section could be beefed up with a few Tromboniums. Quite easily manageable, the Trombonium would fit in quite nicely with our Tuba section (if we had one).

Any volunteers please see Darryl after first practice.

The brilliant cartoon below, courtesy of Gary Larsen, was from a calendar given to me by one of my thoughtful sons at Christmas 2006. Someone has stolen our thunder by featuring it in The Advertiser recently.

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