Summer in Cincinnati

What does a band director do on summer vacation? Go to a band conference of course! I'm sitting in my hotel room in Cincinnati right now anticipating the beginning of the bi-annual WASBE conference. For those long time followers of PSWE, you know that WASBE is the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles and PSWE performed at this same conference back in 2005 in Singapore.

This week's activities look particularly impressive. There will be more than 14 concerts by groups like the New Sousa Band from the US, the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Ensemble from the UK, the Frysk Fanfare Band from the Netherlands, the Brazil Wind Orchestra, the CCM Chamber Players from right here in Cincinnati, The North Texas Wind Symphony and the US Marine Band. We will be treated to performances by high school ensembles for the first time in my memory and will get to hear and participate in discussions about repertoire, conducting rehearsal technique and every other aspect of the wind band world. It looks to be an exciting week.

I'll try to update this blog on a daily basis and will also be writing reviews of a number of sessions for the WASBE blog. I hope you enjoy!