Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas
Modern life offers few real breaks and holidays. Christmas is that one-day feast sandwiched between the fabulous last-minutes sales and parties of Christmas Eve, and the Boxing Day Blowout sales and bar parties that prevail. [Are you going to O'Hanlon's for the "Boxing Day Ugly Sweater Party"?] In the rush of things to do and people to see over the holidays, I hope you all find those moments of peace and happiness that can be so rare. Best wishes of the season to all band members and friends, former members and anonymous posters who read here.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Things I've Learned About Pipe Bands

1. You can't make a band sound good unless all the players sound good.
2. The band can't play well unless all the players are playing well.
3. Band players can't play well without investing significant time and energy to do so.
4. Experience and time served count for nothing if you're not working at your music.
5. Enthusiasm for the task and attitude are huge factors, but only if supported by persistent attention to details, and a willingness to change.
6. The point of a band practice is to refine what you bring to the hall. The more you bring, the better we can be. The reverse holds true also.

Sorry if you were expecting 10 items. You think this is the Letterman Show? : )