With the Thanksgiving holiday having just past and the Christmas and New Year holidays on the way, I thought I would take a moment to list a few of the things that I am thankful for, as well as a few resolutions that I will attempt to fulfill in the coming year (or however long it takes).

In no particular order, I am thankful for:

• Thomastik Vision Solo strings

• Sibelius music notation software (Finale eats it, in my humble opinion)

• The fact that most music for violin is not written in key signatures found in opera or show music – no one wants to play in 6 flats all the time.

• The Beethoven Violin Concerto

• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

• The conductor of the orchestra in which I play knowing what the @#$!% he is doing (a pet peeve of mine is playing for conductors who don’t know anything)

• Reese’s

• Beatles Rock Band – still working on the drum solo in The End on “expert.”

• The mild temperatures in Chicago during the Thanksgiving weekend – Mom and Dad were happy too.

• Wireless internet – it makes downloading new songs for Rock Band just so much easier.

• Remembering not to clean my glasses with tissues that have lotion.

• The love of my beautiful wife and family.

I have a few projects that are rattling around in my cranium, and I would love to get some of them accomplished in the next year. In general, I plan to finish at least one or two of the composition projects I have started in the last few months. I finally completed the Ysaye arrangement, but have not been able to stay on point with any of the half-dozen or so new works that I’ve started which include an arrangement for orchestra of the Beethoven Kreutzer sonata, an original work for chorus and orchestra to be performed during the holidays, and the re-working of an old chamber symphony I wrote for full orchestra.

I have always wanted to start my own community orchestra. I am a very good conductor and have several years of experience working with student and community groups. I am also a prototypical community musician; meaning I do not work in the music industry as a way to make my living. That said, there is a wonderful community choral group locally and I have mentioned to the director my idea for a new orchestra and he is quite intrigued. So…I think I have a starting point. Additionally, the local community colleges are unfortunately losing a great deal of state funding which may eliminate one of the popular local orchestras.

So, I wish all of you (those who actually read this – those who don’t, well, you get coal in your stocking) the happiest and safest of holidays, and best wishes from my family to yours!

HD