It's been over a year since my last blog post, so I thought it was high time that I wrote something new here. What have I been doing all of this time? Well, I'm currently on sabbatical leave during the fall semester to finish two book projects. The first one is Fanfares and Finesse: A … Continue reading Interesting Trumpet Videos Online
A Fun Recital
I had a great time this week performing a faculty recital at Goucher College with my colleague, the wonderful pianist Lisa Weiss, and trumpeter Brent Flinchbaugh who studied with me when he was in high school and whom I'm now proud to call a colleague. The program featured Brent performing the Hindemith Trumpet Sonata and … Continue reading A Fun Recital
Trying not to lose my mind
Somehow I have fooled people into believing that I am organized. It's all purely self-defense, I assure you. One of my favorite college professors told me that he was convinced that I was "a right brain person masquerading as a left brain person," and he was right. Organization is a learned skill, not a natural trait, … Continue reading Trying not to lose my mind
An Inspiring Collaboration
One of the great joys of being a conductor is collaborating with guest soloists whose artistry and skill inspires everyone around them. Such was the case last month at the Frederick Symphony concert on May 7, 2011 which featured pianist Jeffrey Chappell performing Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. Not only was it a privilege to work with Jeff, my colleague at Goucher … Continue reading An Inspiring Collaboration
Giazotto’s Albinoni Adagio
In the wake of the fall Goucher Orchestra concert, I thought I would take a minute to post a video of one of the works we performed along with my thoughts about the piece from the program notes. Enjoy! Nobody could blame the Italian musicologist Remo Giazotto (1910-1998) for being a bit chagrined. His most famous composition is popular … Continue reading Giazotto’s Albinoni Adagio
Season Opener
There's something about the opening concert of the season that always puts me in a good mood, but this year it was extra special. As the Music Director of the Frederick Symphony Orchestra (FSO), there is always a lot of extra work the first two months of the season editing the season program booklet, coordinating … Continue reading Season Opener
And the band played on …
Although the Vintage Band Festival ended just over a week ago, I was happy to receive my new band coat when it finally arrived today (via FedEx). There was a misunderstanding with the tailor that caused the delay, apparently. It's a shame, but at least I'll look good for the next Newberry Band tour. While … Continue reading And the band played on …
Reflections on the Festival
After performing at the first Vintage Band Festival (VBF) in 2006, it was a great thrill to return this summer to perform with the Newberry Band again at the second festival. VBF director Paul Niemisto deserves a hearty "huzzah!" (and so much more) for organizing and hosting such a terrific festival. Paul's incredible army of … Continue reading Reflections on the Festival
Battle of the Bands
A large crowd gathered by the Cannon River in the center of Northfield, Minnesota to witness a popular attraction at the 2010 Vintage Band Festival (VBF): The Battle of the Bands. Staged at high noon on Saturday, August 7, 2010, the two participating bands, the 1st Brigade Band of Wisconsin and Newberry's Victorian Cornet Band, … Continue reading Battle of the Bands
Newberry Band Concert Excerpts
It's taken quite a while to edit and upload the videos, but here are more excerpts from the concert program that the Newberry Band performed at the 2010 Vintage Band Festival in Northfield, Minnesota. More videos will be added to this post when they are online. Stay tuned! For the record, here is the concert program … Continue reading Newberry Band Concert Excerpts
Elisa Koehler 