100 minutes to lift-off

The big premiere of “Turbine” is in less than two hours. I’m almost bouncing off the walls here in the Holiday Inn in anticipation. The dress rehearsal last night here at Vanderbilt was awesome. The hall here is fantastic, and I can finally hear everything that’s happening in the piece. The hall is bright, but fairly dry without being at all “dead.” The hall in Lexington on Wednesday for the “unofficial” premiere was far too wet for the piece, and also too loud, causing the piece to sound acoustically distorted by the third bar. Here at Vanderbilt, though, the piece sounds massive — but not quite distorted. It was loud enough, though, that at last night’s dress rehearsal, Rick Clary (who was the previous director of bands at U. Kentucky) came by to hear his old group, and when he heard the third bar of “Turbine,” he burst into uncontrollable laughter, just from the shock of the massive sound attacking him from the stage. I’m hoping that was a good thing…

I should have a good idea of the success (or lack thereof) of “Turbine” in just a few hours. If it fails, it’s through no fault of Cody Birdwell and the U. Kentucky players, who are just playing the hell out of the piece. I’m cautiously optimistic, but there’s no way of knowing how the conductors here will react. Will they think it’s exciting — or assaulting?

After the premiere, I’m going to work with Robert Ambroise’s group from Georgia State. They’re playing “Redline Tango” tonight at 8pm. That’ll be fun — and a whole lot less stressful!

I’m off! More later…

Comments

Cathy says

So do you really live in LA or just out of various Holiday Inns across the nation? Take care!
~C

Travis Taylor says

If anyone states that Turbine isn't amazing, well then they don't have good taste in music and is a bad person.

-Travis-

JJ says

saw you at cdbna....enjoyed the music. the HS band i teach was playing there...

hit me up

Nikk Pilato says

John,

Great seeing you in Nashville, and now I owe YOU a drink (or three). Turbine went very well for you...you're going to make a lot of money...all the better to buy more gadgets with.

Have fun in Dallas, and hope all goes well there. Congrats once again.

Kevin Howlett says

Post a recording, John...or I spork your eye out.

Seriously! I'd really like to hear it.

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