and now... in chronological order...
The Best Times
These are chronicles of the best times I've had... so far...
Visiting New York City as a high school sophomore... we went to Broadway Musicals, Hard Rock
Cafe, and did all the cool touristy things.
Parasailing at Young Life Camp the summer before my junior year of high school... what a rush!
We took off from the beach, so I had to run like mad to keep up with the boat.
Seeing Billy Joel live at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN... I had second row seats! He did
all the greats, played the piano, guitar, accordion, harmonica, and of course, sang. One of
the best shows I've seen!
Going to New Orleans with my high school band and jazz ensembles my junior year. Our jazz ensemble
opened for Harry Connick Jr.'s combo at this cool club called Maxwell's. On the way back, we stopped
at Graceland to pay homage to "The King."
Going to Florida and Georgia with my church's youth group. A few of us went down to Florida and
built houses with Habitat for Humanity. We also went to Disney World for a day and made a detour
through Daytona Beach. We then joined the rest of the group in Atlanta, Georgia for the National
Youth Convention.
The Holiday Concert at Memorial High School my senior year. We performed Alfred Reed's "Russian
Christmas Music." What a work of art!
The Count Basie Orchestra concert at my high school. The band came and gave clinics and a concert,
and I got a chance to jam with saxophonist and band leader Frank Foster.
The 1995 UWEC Jazz Fest. Our jazz ensemble one the Class AA division. What a sweet victory!
Mandarin Club gig my senior year. Each year, Memorial Jazz Ensembles get the Mandarin Club
and put on a night of jazz. It was my last concert with my jazz ensemble.
Graduation. I got the Service Award. We played "Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss." After I got my diploma and went through
the reception line of hand-shakers, I made a bee-line to my band director and gave him a big
ol' hug.
Wind Ensemble Tour 1997. What a freakin' ball! We performed a piece I transcribed, the theme
from "North By Northwest," a cartoon piece (with the cartoon!) that our conductor transcribed,
and an arrangement of "Symphonic Metamorphoses" by Paul Hindemith.
Going to Madison to meet Ed Calle. Ed and I had been e-mailing back and forth, and my sax
teacher, Greg Keel, and introduced me to his work years before. I was so nervous when I met
Ed for the first time. We hung out and played a bit. After the concert, Ed took me out with
the rest of the band and I heard some of the COOLEST stories! It was a blast!
My Spring Break Trip to Miami. I went down to visit Ed Calle and meet his family. His wife, Sari,
took me all around the city and showed me the sites. I also got the incredible opportunity
to play with Ed at a concert in Fort Meyers. THAT was the most fun I have EVER had playing
my saxophone! Truly and amazing adventure.
Marching Band Season 1998. I was the Drum Major, and we did two shows that I choreographed:
James Bond and Star Wars. The band was so incredible on the field, both in practice and in
performances. I can't wait until next season!
Going to see Keith Lockhart in Milwaukee. Mr. Lockhart guest conducted the Milwaukee Symphony.
Robert Levin was featured on Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 24. My God, that man is exquisite
on the piano! I went to a lecture before the performance that Mr. Levin gave and a Talk-Back
that both he and Mr. Lockhart attended. After speaking with Mr. Lockhart both at the Talk-Back
and on a one-to-one level, I got both the gentlemen's autographs and got a picture
taken with Mr. Lockhart. I learned so much from both gentlemen!
My trip to Los Angeles. There is simply too much info to put on this page, so click here to read all about it!
UWEC Jazz Fest 1999 featured guest saxophonist Ed Calle. At last, I saw my friend again and was able to introduce him to everyone. He blew everone away at his clinics and played like a madman. Ed, you are the man!
The spring semester of 1999. I had Advanced Conducting that semester, and I still can't believe I actually got credit for having so much fun! Specifically, I conducted Johann de Meji's "Symphony No 1, The Lord of the Rings" for my final lab project. What an amazing experience!
My trip to London. There is simply too much info to put on this page, so click here to read all about it!
Sometime in the late spring of 1999, I met this guy, Chris, from work. He works in the computer department, and we just sort of hit it off. He and I couldn't be more opposite on the surface, but we have both found over time how similar we truly are. :-)
More Coming Soon - I hope! :-)