@JWL said:

Fortunately, these are all conducting engagements with fine orchestras in the US and Canada. I don't think I could ever go back to the five-gig-a-week routine on a bus.

Oh, I never travelled on the bus. I might have had to talk to some of the players in that situation [[:|]]

DG

@JWL said:

Fortunately, these are all conducting engagements with fine orchestras in the US and Canada. I don't think I could ever go back to the five-gig-a-week routine on a bus.

Oh, I never travelled on the bus. I might have had to talk to some of the players in that situation [[[:|]]]

DG

Haha, as the memories come flooding back. Brass players playing cards at the back of the bus, fleecing all and sundry, the W/W holding esoteric conversations about how to fix the planet, and the strings bickering over the worth or not of the new carbon fibre bow or those 'modern' strings. The percussionists tapping on everything, and everyone asking questions about the programme and the gig with a new conductor, all laced with a healthy dose of cynicism, and somewhat unhealthy laughter. It was like being in the secret services with all the plans being hatched to 'test' the mettle of the most recent baton waver. I was fortunate to play in a theatre orchestra before taking the contract as a conductor, so i was wise to some of the shenanigans, but still had a torrid time the first couple of weeks.
And there are worse places than armpits to play!

Regards,

Alex. [[[:|]]]

Alex-- spoken like some who knows-- perhaps a little "too much"!! How well I remember-- and how hard I've tried to forget!!

OK next thought. Do you think that something like X-Keys could be programmed easily? there is even a version with a joystick that might come in handy...!

DG