Off tto L.A. - then Sibelius, Beethoven, & Schumann

In the recent past I've been terribly busy organizing fundraisers, rehearsing, learning music, etc., but finally I'm getting a little down time. I'm off to L.A. to visit a good friend and to see some of my old West Coast buddies and colleagues. There's not much to say about L.A. except that it's a great city with a unique flavor, whether you love it or hate it. I happen to love it.

But I'm never far from work. I'll be thinking, plotting, planning, and studying the whole week I'm in L.A. because when I get back I have to hit the ground running. I'm hosting the fourth annual NYC Conductor Workshop. I've got 14 conductors coming to NYC from 5 countries and 6 different US states to study with the Maestro Kirk Trevor as the faculty. The week is packed with activities like body movement classes, Eurhythmics lessons, conducting sessions, visits to NY Phil rehearsals, and more, but the weeks culminates in a big concert with the Astoria Symphony performing Sibelius' Finlandia, Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto, and Robert Schumann's First Symphony. The incomparable Arielle Levioff will perform the Beethoven. She's wonderful.

It will be amazing. If you're in the NYC area on March 13th, stop by! For tickets and more information, click here.

Thanks to all - and another big party!

So my big birthday bash and fundraiser for the Astoria Music Society was a blast. Thanks to all who contributed and all who attended. I am especially grateful to the musicians who donated their time and talents, and to the board members of the Astoria Music Society who donated their time and efforts. Thanks to Heather Petruzelli, Allyson Herman, Megan Pachecano, and Byron Singleton for singing, to David Stech for playing piano, and to Chrissy Fong (flute) and Eileen Kelly (clarinet) for accompanying me as I played guitar.

I am very excited now to travel to Round Rock, Texas, for another great event - "All You Need Is Love" - a special Valentine's Eve Dinner Event, a fundraiser for the Round Rock Symphony. It will be an elegant affair - valet parking, hors d'oeurve, dinner, drinks, dessert, and of course live music. For more info, click here. I'll see you there...if only I can get out of NYC in this snow!