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April 23, 2012 This post started out going in one direction this morning and made a wondrous U-turn this afternoon, as you will soon read. Clarence (previously known as 'Mr. Saxophone', now known as 'Mr. Big Band') announced at Etna's 'Big Band Fun' concert Thursday night that the Band had applied for and been approved as 501(3c) nonprofit organization status. 'Big Band Fun' is now, 'Siskiyou Big Band', our very own 'community band' here in Siskiyou County, State of Jefferson! Whoopee !!! Clarence's first dream of starting and conducting a Big Band became a reality back in December with their concerts in Etna and Yreka. He told me his second dream was to have the old-fashioned low, box-style music stands like ones used during the Big Band era. After Eb and I saw these photos Mel took at last week's concert, you can see why I decided to move ahead on my latest idea . . . (if you weren't able to attend the concert, you can read all about it here and see photos).
where did the band gooooooooo ???????
Many
of you will remember these neat stands . . .
I whispered my plan to Cyndi : I was going to surprise Clarence and the Band by putting out 'the call' for money as a Big Band Fun(d)-raiser to be able to buy the stands. I figured when the money came in, then we would present it to the Band and move forward on the ordering. Well, I have said before how 'Lady Synchronicity' seems to always be one step ahead of me . . . As I began to work on this post . . . shall we call him . . . 'a Patron of the Arts'. . . contacted me and asked, 'is there anything I can do to help the band'??? I would be fibbing if I didn't say, 'it was music to my ears'. "Wellllllll", I began . . . "I was just now typing up a post for my From Over the Hill website, encouraging the folks to send in donations, of any amount, to the 'Siskiyou Big Band' so we can order these fabulous music stands." He, being 'a man of a certain age', knew exactly what kind of stands I was talking about. I related to him the cost (almost $1,000 for the number of stands we would need, the carrying bags, and shipping); and that it would be a stretch to have enough money to purchase them in time for the May 19th concert for the Siskiyou County Armed Services Day event or the May 21st concert at the Church of the Nazarene. However, hopefully, we would have enough collected to order in time for the summer concerts. Maybe the encore song, 'In the Mood' had gotten to him the other night, or 'Lady Synchronicity' had whispered in his ear . . . all I know was . . . I about fell off the chair when, without any fanfare, he said: 'How about I front the money so you can order them right away. That way you will have them in time for the May concerts; and the Band can pay me back as the contributions come in.' Now, any of you who have read my posts for any time at all, know that I always quote what Grandma used to say: 'When the cookie tray is passed, take one, as it might not come around again'! It has taken me a number of years to step up and actually do that . . . however, I believe it must have been 'Lady Synchronicity' whose voice came out when I opened my mouth (as I think my vocal chords had frozen up) . . . What I heard myself saying was: "That would be fabulous. Thank you . . . the Band will be thrilled." Yowie, wowie! I called Cyndi and related the story, then called Clarence on his cell phone as he was at lunch and asked if he was sitting down. He was, and when I told him the story, at first, all he could say was: "It's a good thing you asked if I was sitting down before you told me." We both got teary-eyed . . . and while I am typing this, Clarence is at Big Band practice, relating this story to the Band and figuring out exactly what sizes and how many they will need so we can place the order tomorrow. Sooooooooo we need lots of cookies on the cookie tray to replace the ones being sent off to St. Louis, Missouri tomorrow!!!!!! None of the band members have been paid for their performance efforts, their gas money to and from practices or the concerts, or any of their band-related expenses. They joined the Band because they are musicians who have missed playing in a group setting and they love the music and have fun entertaining us! Their concert in December benefited the historic Avery Theatre $1,000 and last week's concert added another $1,000 + to the Theatre. Now is the time for us to give a little something back to the Band . . . Please
send your donation If it is easier for you to use Paypal to send along moolah, then use this link to log in and use this email address for where to send it (If you don't have a Paypal account, you might consider setting up one as it makes purchasing and sending money much easier!) or call me at 467-5815 and we can figure out the best way to get your contribution here! Life
is soooooooooooooo grand . . .
Che'usa Thanks
for * * * * * *
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