A Second Post...
Nancy & I returned home tonight after enjoying Miso Salmon at the Monark Bistro and some wine at the Canyon Crest Winery. Winery owners Kevin & Carolyn were preparing for a jazz festival in Temecula tomorrow...a busy night, but that is good as busy = sales, which means being able to survive in a wretched economy. The winery was also featured on KNBC channel 4 (LA market); see the video on the home page of the Winery's website - a reason to celebrate.
Life is Good.
So why a second post in one day; and why a post that is not exclusively about the Band?
Because when we got home, I went online to see what's happening in the world and read about Avery Lynn Canahuati. In my introduction to Pipe Major's Notes, I said I would post when I have something to say. Pay attention; I have something you need to hear about.
Avery is almost five months old. Avery even has her own blog: http://averycan.blogspot.com/
Avery has a bucket list.
Every once in a while I get down, thinking about the responsibility of growing a Band with all of the attendant responsibilities of leadership. Things don't always go the way a P/M wants. If the P/M is on her or his game, this is something the Band membership never realizes...Pipe Majors solve problems, we move on.
And then I get home from a lovely evening out with my beautiful wife and get a lesson about what really matters; like having a bucket list written by parents who will never be able to see their daughter write anything on her own.
Follow the links.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Two great performances.
The Band gathered at the Grove Community Church in Riverside last night to perform for the Riverside County Sheriff Corrections Unit graduation. It was a great honor to help make the night special for those young law enforcement professionals as they embark on their career.
After the recessional, I took a moment to speak with Sergeant Flakes, our contact from Riverside County Sheriffs Department. I briefly introduced a concept to him that Chris Jensen and I have been discussing; the use of Sheriff Department uniform shirts whenever we appear at these graduations. Sgt. Flakes' face lit up and said he would take this idea straight to the Sheriff for approval. Obviously there is a lot of discussion and work to be done to make this happen. Chris Jensen has, with my approval, made a similar inquiry with Riverside Fire Department...it has also been very well received. If implemented, we may have multiple uniform styles to employ as we partner with our community heroes.
Our second appearance last night was at the Cactus Cantina, a sponsor of the Band. It has become traditional for us to appear at the Cantina immediately after playing at the Grove Community Church as the two locations are within relatively close proximity. Family & friends are invited to join us for refreshments after we play. To say that we are a 'show-stopper' at the Cantina would be a bit of an understatement. Once again, a family trying to enjoy an evening out was the primary recipient of our musical offerings, having been surrounded by a pipe band. I wonder what they will tell their friends at work and school today?
As we were able to get in some competitive unit rehearsal time between the processional and recessional at the Sheriff's graduation, Band members are invited to take Sunday afternoon off with my compliments!
Thanks to all for making these gigs a success.
The Band gathered at the Grove Community Church in Riverside last night to perform for the Riverside County Sheriff Corrections Unit graduation. It was a great honor to help make the night special for those young law enforcement professionals as they embark on their career.
After the recessional, I took a moment to speak with Sergeant Flakes, our contact from Riverside County Sheriffs Department. I briefly introduced a concept to him that Chris Jensen and I have been discussing; the use of Sheriff Department uniform shirts whenever we appear at these graduations. Sgt. Flakes' face lit up and said he would take this idea straight to the Sheriff for approval. Obviously there is a lot of discussion and work to be done to make this happen. Chris Jensen has, with my approval, made a similar inquiry with Riverside Fire Department...it has also been very well received. If implemented, we may have multiple uniform styles to employ as we partner with our community heroes.
Our second appearance last night was at the Cactus Cantina, a sponsor of the Band. It has become traditional for us to appear at the Cantina immediately after playing at the Grove Community Church as the two locations are within relatively close proximity. Family & friends are invited to join us for refreshments after we play. To say that we are a 'show-stopper' at the Cantina would be a bit of an understatement. Once again, a family trying to enjoy an evening out was the primary recipient of our musical offerings, having been surrounded by a pipe band. I wonder what they will tell their friends at work and school today?
As we were able to get in some competitive unit rehearsal time between the processional and recessional at the Sheriff's graduation, Band members are invited to take Sunday afternoon off with my compliments!
Thanks to all for making these gigs a success.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Welcome to my collection of thoughts and observations posted online, traditionally referred to as a blog by cyber-heads. I call it Pipe Major's Notes...notes to myself about the University of California, Riverside Pipe Band.
Other things that matter to me will inevitably creep in: my wife (God bless her), my family & friends, my faith, cigars, craft beers, teaching folks to play the pipes, boutique wines, cooking - especially BBQ, single malts, my work and other experiences at UC Riverside...the list is as endless as my interests. I will do my best to primarily reflect on the Band and try only to touch on other subjects as we experience them from the perspective of the Band.
As the P/M leading a Champion Band made up of multiple award-winning competitive units (grades 3 - 5), red hot soloists (grade 1 - 5), and a Board of Directors who provide governance for the Band, the ability to herd cats seems to the only thing I get to practice these days. We have grown and are still growing in membership and community support. Lots of cats.
Our programming includes paid performances and concerts,
competition at highland games (video of the 2011 Costa Mesa grade 4 QMM - 1st place),
supplying soloists and mini-bands for a variety of events,
and hosting the Harry Moore Memorial solo piping and drumming competition each Spring.
.jpg)
The frequency of my posts will be dependent on having something to say and the time to say it. I encourage all Band members to check in every once in a while to see if the P/M has addressed anything of interest to them. Band supporters might also find this a way of keeping in touch with the Band; enjoying some insight to the inner workings of a pipe band.
This is just an introduction. Let's see what else there is to chat about.
Enjoy!
Mike
Other things that matter to me will inevitably creep in: my wife (God bless her), my family & friends, my faith, cigars, craft beers, teaching folks to play the pipes, boutique wines, cooking - especially BBQ, single malts, my work and other experiences at UC Riverside...the list is as endless as my interests. I will do my best to primarily reflect on the Band and try only to touch on other subjects as we experience them from the perspective of the Band.
As the P/M leading a Champion Band made up of multiple award-winning competitive units (grades 3 - 5), red hot soloists (grade 1 - 5), and a Board of Directors who provide governance for the Band, the ability to herd cats seems to the only thing I get to practice these days. We have grown and are still growing in membership and community support. Lots of cats.
Our programming includes paid performances and concerts,
competition at highland games (video of the 2011 Costa Mesa grade 4 QMM - 1st place),
supplying soloists and mini-bands for a variety of events,
and hosting the Harry Moore Memorial solo piping and drumming competition each Spring.
.jpg)
The frequency of my posts will be dependent on having something to say and the time to say it. I encourage all Band members to check in every once in a while to see if the P/M has addressed anything of interest to them. Band supporters might also find this a way of keeping in touch with the Band; enjoying some insight to the inner workings of a pipe band.
This is just an introduction. Let's see what else there is to chat about.
Enjoy!
Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)