Out Of This World

Is that a bird? 

A plane?

Nooo.. that's a faun with an umbrella.....

Which means it's time for...MAPLE VALLEY MUSIC CAMP!

Camp begins August 13th, and its going to be pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. (smug)

SMUG FACE.

We will be playing music from famous science fiction movies. 

Chronicles of Narnia

Star Wars

Get ready to enter a new world of adventure! The large group pieces will be selected from 

                       and

Smaller ensembles will work on pieces chosen by the coaches...so you could be playing almost anything!

Every day lunch will be served for $5, or you can steal...er ....bring your own.

In the mornings there will be large group rehearsals, followed by sectionals, when you get to work on your specfic instrument, lunch, games and or/ time for hanging out, special guest performances, and one more large group rehearsal.

Tuesday and Wednesday there will be boomwackers to play during lunch.

Thursday is the day to dress like an out of this world character (alien - lion, princess, faun, Jaba the Hut, whatever you think is Out of this world.)

At the end of the week is a large concert featuring all of the campers and the music they have worked on all week.

It's going to be pretty EPIC.....I mean...OUT OF THIS WORLD!

.....and I promise to dress in weird costumes of some sort every day. Prizes will be awarded for people who can guess what character I am.

For more details click here

Summer Sillies: Instrument Jokes

Instrument Jokes

Summer is time to relax, enjoy life, and pretend that fall is never coming. As a kid, part of summer was eating popsicles and then reading the jokes left behind on the stick.

What insects do firemen really dislike?
Fireflies.

In honor of summer, and popsicles, here are some instrument jokes. Please note that I love all the instruments, and this is all meant to be funny. I play viola and added more viola jokes than any other. Add your own in the comments!
Bass:
 Did you hear about the bassist who was so out of tune his section noticed?

WHEN NO ONE HOLDS THE DOOR FOR THE BASS PLAYER

 Clarinet:

Double Reeds:

What is a burning oboe good for?

Setting a bassoon on fire.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To get away from the bassoon recital.

Percussion: 
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.

How many drummers does it take to change a lightbulb? None. There's machines that can do that now.

Heard backstage: "Will the musicians and the drummer please come to the stage!"

Piano:  
A note left for a pianist from his wife: Gone Chopin, (have Liszt), Bach in a Minuet.


Why did they say that the pianist had fingers like lightning? They never struck the same place twice.

Trombone:
What do 4 trombones sound like at the bottom of the sea? A good idea!

What is a gentleman?

Somebody who knows how to play the trombone, but doesn't.

Trumpet:
How do you get a trumpet player to play fff? Write mp on the part

How do trumpet players traditionally greet each other?

"Hi. I'm better than you."

Viola:

 How can you tell when a violist is playing out of tune? 
The bow is moving.

How do you make a violin sound like a viola?
Sit in the back and don't play.

Why are violin jokes so short?
So violists can understand them.

Why are violas larger than violins?
They're not. The violist's head is smaller.


When someone says the violas are too loud....


















Violin: 
What's the difference between a violin and a viola? 
There is no difference. The violin just looks smaller because the violinist's head is so much bigger. 

What's the difference between a violin and a fiddle?

A fiddle is fun to listen to. 
How many second violinists does it take to change a light bulb?

None. They can't get up that high!

When Someone is showing off....

                                              NO please keep playing.

Sarcasm. It's not just for teenagers.

Wocka wocka wocka! Also, string palyers should check out the fun website
http://gottabeastringplayer.tumblr.com/

Have fun guys!

Summer Concerts: Seattle Area

Summer is buzzing along, and maybe you want to catch a free concert before they are all gone! I've complied a list of some major FREE concerts you can attend this summer.

To begin with, I HIGHLY recommend:
Seattle Chamber Music Society Presents:

Free Concert in Volunteer Park, Wednesday July 25 at 7 PM

Antonín Dvorák Sextet for Strings in A Major

Amy Schwartz Moretti, James Ehnes, Che-Yen Chen, Marcus Thompson, Robert deMaine, Andrés Díaz

Piotr Tchaikovksy Souvenir de Florence for String Sextet, Op. 70

James Ehnes, Amy Schwartz Moretti, Marcus Thompson, Che-Yen Chen, Andrés Díaz, Robert deMaine

This 60-minute concert will be preceded by a musical instrument "petting zoo" at 5:30 PM.

At Ballard Locks:

Free summer concerts 2012 schedule at Ballard Locks:

June 2 - Boeing Employees Concert Band - marches, show tunes, and classics
June 3 - Cascadia Jazz Band - jazz, Latin jazz, rock, and funk
June 9 - Highline Community Symphonic Band - classical concert music
June 10 - Barneleikarringen - Children's Scandinavian Dance
June 16 - Batucada Yemanja - Brazilian music
June 17 - Elliott Bay Pipe Band
June 23 - Woodinville Community Band - classical music, marches, show tunes
June 24 - Microsoft Orchestra - classical music, pop
June 30 - Eastside Modern Jazz - funk, Latin, jazz-rock fusion, contemporary jazz

July 1 - 85th Street Big Band - swing hits from the 30s, 40s, and 50s
July 4 - Seattle Civic Band
July 7 - Puget Sound Symphony Chamber Players
July 8 - Greenwood Concert Band
July 14 - Greenwood Concert Band
July 15 - Coal Creek Jazz Band
July 21 - Bambula - traditional Brazilian and Caribbean music
July 22 - West Seattle Big Band
July 28 - Left Turn on Blue - blues and swing
July 29 - Letter Carriers Band & Fraternal Order of Eagles

August 4 - Cherie Blues - blues, jazz, oldies, and R&B
August 5 - Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band
August 11 - Dukes and Diva - a cappella quintet
August 12 - Mach One Jazz Orchestra
August 18 - Microsoft Jumpin Jive Orchestra
August 19 - Altaeus Woodwind Quintet
August 25 - Lynnwood Community Band - big band music
August 26 - The Tempos - big band music

September 1 - Cowgirls Dream - music from early cowboy movies
September 2 - Professor Gadget Sax Quartet
September 3 - Michael Clune & Sleep till Noon Band - blues and rock

This list has several different types of concert, from blues to funk to rock, all in the Seattle area, all summer long.

And Finally, in Maple Valley, a series of concerts close to home. 

2012 CONCERT SCHEDULE

DATE	TIME	PERFORMER
Thursday, July 12	6:30 p.m.	The Side Project sultry pop music
Thursday, July 26	6:30 p.m.	Shaggy Sweet rock-pop music
Thursday, August 9	6:30 p.m.	Rae Solomon country music
Sunday, August 12	5:30 p.m.	Burgers & Blues Concert soulful blues music and incredible burgers on sale throughout the concert
Thursday, August 23	Concert 6:00 p.m. Movie 8:30 p.m.	Family Night Concert & Movie Under the Stars Illusion of Elvis music "Dr. Suess' The Lorax"

Any more local suggestions? I'd be glad to promote your local gig if you ask me to!

Caring for Your Instrument: Summer Edition

Happy Summer to all you music lovers out there!

It's going to be a warm weekend in Western Washington, so I'm here to give you a few instrument care tips.

1.) Alway CLEAN your instrument before you put it away!
 If it's string instrument, wipe the rosin off the strings, then wipe down the wood under the strings.
If it's a wind instrument, swab it down well, and get all of the moisture out using brushes made for your instrument. If left, bacteria will grow in your instrument, which is gross and can make you sick.

2.) DON'T leave you instrument in the car for over an hour if the temperature is over 60 degrees. For wooden instruments, the heat will cause glue to dry out and the plates to come apart, as well as melting the varnish. For wind instruments, it will melt you accessories and possibly the glue in your reeds.

Close to 40 is good for Western Washington

Below 30 and you might want to add moisture to your instrument.

3.) DO check the humidity of your instrument.
If you have a hygrometer in your case or handy, that's great! But if not, just check the general humidity of the area.





 In Western Washington it will usually be around 40-30, if not higher. If it's below 30, your instrument is dry and may need a damp sponge in the case to add some moisture. Changes in the humidity can cause cracks, loose plates, stuck keys and pitch change. Check you your local instrument dealer or repair shop if you need more info on how to care for your specific instrument.







4.) DON'T Over hydrate or water your instrument. This is just as bad as under hydrating it. :)







5.) Bring your instrument into your local instrument repair shop for it's annual checkup. A good rule of thumb is: Go to the dentist twice a year, and the repair shop once!





6.) Check with a repair shop before using a polish on your instrument! ALL STRING PLAYERS please do NOT use any polish or any knid on your instrument. Polishes, even those "meant" for fine stringed instruments, slowly add to or stripp away the original varnish. This can cause great damage. Use a bit of water and a microfiber cleaning cloth (or an eye glasses cloth) to clean your instrument, and if it's not shiney enough, rub the instrument with your hand, and the oils from your hand with give it a nice luster.


Take good care of your instrument, and it will take good care of you!