In Which Ryan Is Briefly Home
January 2024 | 5:1
Koopa and Goomba say to be nice to each other out there.
What's Been Happening
December saw it's usual bevy of activity with continuing auditions, a jazz octet tour, the Midwest Clinic where in addition to my usual duties I actually had a couple pieces played, and apparently I even got some writing done. The final weeks of the year saw our usual cross country holiday travel with not quite enough time with everyone we wanted to see and yet too much time away from home if you ask our kitties.
All in all, when there's not enough time in the Einsteinian continuum to do everything I want, I'll call it a win.
May your masks smell pleasant and your packages arrive without incident,
Ryan
Chart O' The Month
This is actually my first repeat use of a chart in my newsletter, but it's too appropriate for the time of year and I do really like the chart.
I'm also appropriately struck by how much has changed or stood the same since this recording happened, and how many memories are triggered for me as the track runs. Several of the band members I met for the first time in person with the Bluecoats alumni corps, and that was already over a year ago. I totally forgot that John Paluch was kind enough to play piano for this; he passed away this fall and his first comping response in the solo section hit me like a ton of bricks. Even the last three notes of the chart by Billy Wolfe were a reminder that just a couple years ago he was having enough physical struggles that flute was his main musical outlet, and now he's back to his multi-instrumental mastery with his octet among his other projects.
Anyways; hopefully as you take the time to look back and forward this new year's, you have as much to be thankful for as I do. Much love from Chicago!
Look, Nature!
This is a picture of the sunrise from the East coast of Oahu that my wife took while we were on our trip this fall. May your new year be as beautiful as this, and similarly accompanied by those you love.
Education Notes
This year's Midwest Clinic was its usual success, but my biggest takeaway was watching so many directors talk amongst themselves about how to better provide experiences for their students. Which seems obvious, but the mutual appreciation and genuine interest in how to do things better was striking and it's not a coincidence that their groups sound great, and their students were clearly enjoying themselves. If there's two specific things from these discussions that I think can be applied to anyone's teaching situation it's these:
1) Figure out what you can take and reapply, not what you can't because of situation or resources.
2) Recognize yourself as a specific resource, including your knowledge, personality, and experiences.