Chris Houser

Manny -
Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the concert yesterday by the MYS groups. All of the groups played extremly well and the it was a very pleasant way to spent a rainy afternoon in the midwest.
The "Pines" was very, very well done and I am sure that you are burstling buttons with pride. I am always impressed by the sounds that these kids get and how mature the music making is. The Phil and Rep orchestras were very impressive on "Bald Mountain" and on the Shelly's "Variations".

Congratulations to you, Claudette and your entire staff on a very succesful concert and season. Looking forward to more in the future.

Chris

Manny Laureano

Thanks, Chris.

The only reason I wasn't bursting was that I had not a bite to eat all day until after the show!!! All accidental, I assure you. I'm not into musico-physical martyrdom.

I'm sorry the danged thing was so long, though. With the end of the year come the inevitable speches and longer than usual programs. I only hope the audience felt the end justified the means. I'm sad it's done for another year, though. You don't know how much I look forward to Saturday mornings. Maybe you do since we often get a little chat in afterwards.

We have some fantastic surprises for the 35th anniversary year coming up. Guest artists, commisioned works, wowser mammoth pieces... those kids are gonna be busy. Well, at least you'll know they'll sleep well Saturday nights. How'd ya like the surround sound for Pines? Fun, ja?

Anyways, I'm proud as I can be... those kids would walk on nails to make great music sound great and I love them for it, no lie.

ML

Chris Houser

Manny -
Yes, I loved the placement of the off stage parts in Pines. Had you used that set up with MO before, or was this another Manny original? No one can say that you are not a real showman!!!

The only real negatives about the afternoon were the A/C problems in the first part of the program (hard to stay awake during the strings whith the house temp being as warm as it was), and maybe the strings could have only played two pieces instead of three. The speaches were all appropriate and I did not feel that they were overly long.

Now to get my kids to practice their audition materials so that we can continue our chats in the fall.

Danny W

The concert was definately lengthy, but it was fantastic, nonetheless, so I certainly didn't mind. Yes, I enjoyed playing the "Night on Bald Mountain". What a great way to end my "stay" at MYS. The fast tempo at the end of the Tchaikovksky was increadible (she will go so far...already has). Pines of Rome...I love how it just suddenly bursts into majestic glory with the "surround sound". It was breathtaking. When I heard it at dress rehearsal with empty hall, it gave me goosebumps. It gave me goosebumps at the show too with the sound rising to the third tier. I was very impressed w/ the musicianship of everyone, and I'm excited to see what MYS will do next year for (our) anniversary.

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"The aim & final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." -Johann Sebastian Bach

SamTheMan

Pines was incredible! Bravo! The offstage brass was the cherry on top of that tasty musical sundae.

I also really enjoyed playing the Hungarian Rhapsody and Israeli Folk Song with Repertory and I think the audience loved them too. Great show!

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Sam Callahan

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." Leopold Stokowski