April 14, 2007
Dear Dan Neece, Lou Polcari, Mitch Barr, and students,
Last night was amazing. To have music played in my honor is more healing than you will ever know. The sight and sound of so many musicians was such an inspiration. And then I remembered it was for me. Overwhelming!! When Dan told me about the plan of a benefit concert, I cried…. I bawled. It’s hard to know what to say when someone tells you that a large group of high school students are going to be playing a concert for you. I guess what you say is “Thank you”.
One of my favorite folk songs is “Simple Gifts”. While I listened to you play Chorale and Shaker Dance, based on that melody, I decided I needed to thank each one of you. It is a gift to be simple. The simple use of music as a gesture of support and healing was so powerful. You have given me more than you know.
The opening number by Carmen Dragon was moving as well. That composer’s name is familiar to me because when I was in high school, singing in the choir, there was a lot of talk about this man. It’s a name you don’t forget. We were fortunate enough to perform in a concert with him. I don’t remember much about it, but I do remember that name and that it was something very special to be involved in.
“From the Eye of the Storm” was very cool! Carlo and I both felt like we could hear the tornado from The Wizard of Oz. I remember the interesting flute part imitating the wind sounds, and the great dynamic changes building in intensity just like a storm does.
My family all enjoyed “The Fortress”, as well. It’s another dynamic piece with lots of interesting instrumentation. We particularly enjoyed the oboe solo. (nice job playing in tune, we appreciate how difficult that can be).
Even though our daughters were mortified, we enjoyed singing and whistling along with you in “On the Mall”. We thought it would have been fun to get up and dance the polka, too. But we decided not to make too big of fools out of our selves.
The Spanish piece is a favorite of Carlo’s. He says it sounds like what Sousa would have written if he were Spanish. And who doesn’t love a good Sousa march? Great piccolo solo (again, played in tune with 2 piccolos!). It was also very powerful to have the different sections stand. Gotta love the trombones!
How impressive to see 4 bassoons in the band! Nice size French horn section as well. Trumpets sounded great….were you really playing for 7 hours that day? It wasn’t noticeable from where I was sitting. Percussion was on top of every detail, never missing a beat (pun intended). Clarinets and Bass clarinets, along with the saxophones, where great too. Tubas and Baritones—great job, too! Both saxophone ensembles were very impressive. Did I leave out any instruments? If I did, I apologize. Everyone is essential when performing music.
No, Dan, I was not sitting back there listening to all of the wrong notes. Every note was perfect to my listening ears last night. But I think it was harder for me to sit and receive all of the amazing music than it would have been for me to be conducting. Receiving gifts is sometimes the most difficult. What did I do to deserve such a gift of music? I guess I must have done something good. (Isn’t that a song?)
The professionalism and camaraderie you all showed were so refreshing to see. And I feel especially honored to have shared in this historic event of the cross-town rival schools playing music TOGETHER!! Music does that, doesn’t it?
I have learned a lot in the past year or two about the healing powers of sound. The actual vibrations that are made can actually help with cell growth and the immune system. So, know that you have all contributed to the improvement of my health in a very real, physical way.
Another thing that helps the immune system is feeling and expressing gratitude. So, I am strengthened by my expression of gratitude to all of you for your part in last night’s benefit concert. Thank you to each and every one of you. You have given me so much!
With gratitude and love,
Phoebe Fazio
