mwh

I'm posting this specifically for Manny WHOSE MAILBOX IS FULL but anyone else who was in the NY citywide chorus or orchestra in 1971 (yeah, yeah -- put a sock in it) might be interested in these scans from the Daily News:

NYC Citywide Orchestra 1971 - a set on Flickr

Um, yeah, I used to play trumpet .... still have a couple and might even make some noise once the kids are gone -- IN FOUR WEEKS! YAY!
Margaret

Schwab

Manny hasn't posted here since May of ought 7, but the scans are pretty cool anyway!

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Dylan Schwab
Stage 1 New York

MJ

The conductor died backstage?

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mwh

Oh yeah. It was quite an evening. Jonathan Strasser (who appeared as himself in the movie "Fame") conducted the next two pieces and did a great job before the 2nd in command took over. He, however, was so visibly rattled that it made us -- despite the fact that we weren't told exactly what had happened -- nervous and distracted. Wonder what they'd do today in similar circumstances?

MJ

Did you play trumpet in the group?

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mwh

Yes, as did Manny Laureano. I'm actually sitting at the piano on the right in the photo of the orchestra because MICHAEL BENVENGO's valves were sticking and he was too chicken to leave the stage to get some valve oil so I went. They had started the Star Spangled Banner, so I just sat at the piano until it was done and then took my seat. My mother spotted the empty chair in the trumpet section within two seconds of opening the newspaper, and boy, did I catch hell.

tatakata

Where is Manny in the pic. His name is not listed on the program. It's hard to make out much of anything

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Ray Vega

Margaret,
I was in All City Band in 78,79.....it was an awesome experience. Where did you go to high school? I went to Music and Art and studied with Sidney Baker.
I wish much success in your return to the trumpet....Have Fun!!!
PeaceRV

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Ray Vega
Stomvi Artist
www.rayvegamusic.com

mwh

TaTa, Manny has the "fro" and is sitting next to the empty chair. It was hard enough to actually make anything out in 1971, much less 37 years later (ouch!). The programs are from my high school, not city wide, which answers Ray's query -- I went to Performing Arts on 46th St. Recently I was looking for an old photo of a bassist friend of mine and came across the programs as well as the newspaper. I went to college at CCNY (bursar's fee -- 65 bucks a semester) as a music major and took lessons with Wm Vacchiano. He was wasted on me. I had an embouchure issue that caused a lot of physical pain, significantly impaired my range and stamina (what else is there?) and was never resolved. Not that I have any illusions, but after 18 years of the corporate world and 24 years of parenting it's time to reaquaint myself with something that was at the core of my life -- playing trumpet. We shall see ...

MJ

Hope you will stick around Margaret! Thanks for the pictures!

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