Preparing for a Show- Chapter 1 (short notice)

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imagesMost often a musician is called to perform in a show in Branson at least a month before the first rehearsal, but recently the norm had changed. A new show is in Branson, “which you should go to if you enjoy New York level performers, excellent music and a trip back in history to what was going on in our country in 1942”.

Because of a reaction to a medication prescribed by his doctor, a good friend of mine was unable to make the rehearsals and it was questionable if, because of this reaction would be able to play the show. So, I was asked to step in a week before the first rehearsal. Many things go through your mind in situations like this and because of this most recent change in my schedule, I thought it beneficial to document what was needed to prepare for this wonderful show.

In our next post I will introduce you to Mr. Madaras and he will give you some insight into his career and the show we will be performing this season in Branson.

It is not my intent to promote the show in this blog but more to relate the conditions and requirements expected of a trumpet player sitting in the lead chair of a very professional orchestra.

I hope you check back to this site often for I have scheduled several related posts which will better inform the younger players, as well as some of the pros, to what level I, as an over achieving, self-conscious, insecure, striving (yet unsuccessful perfectionist) go through.

Some of the topics I will be addressing will include the following-

• Getting into shape and learning the music
• Preparing your work area
• How and what to practice on days off
• Marking your music
• Using the microphones to your advantage
• Knowing what is expected from your conductor
• How to control nervousness
• How to react to “clams”

As you can see, there are many areas which need to be addressed if we are to cover everything in playing a live show. I hope this series will be helpful and informative to you and if you already know everything there is to know about playing a show, please contact me for I would enjoy learning more myself.

Bruce was a member of the faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, School of Music in Cedar Falls from 1969 until his retirement in 1999. He has performed with many well-known entertainers such as Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Anita Bryant, Carman Cavalara, Victor Borgie, the Four Freshman, Blackstone the Magician, Bobby Vinton and John Davidson.

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