Audition Day is Close!

That's right UPO'ers - Audition day is so close we can smell it. There are still a few slots open for the live audition. We're doing well on practically every section, but I would still sell my appendix for some string players. If you know any, get them to audition!

Oh yeah...We need a pianist too. Just one, though.

Hope you all love thunderstorms as much as I do!

DFS

Holy New Website, Batman!

Check it out, folks: The new UPO website is up and running AND looks fantastic. All of our info about auditions and practically anything else you ever want to know about the UPO is on this new site!

Props to our very own John Gorecki for his ridiculous talent.

DFS

Audition Fun!

I woke up to an electronic mountain of ... electronic?...mail regarding auditions. Pretty exciting! I remember this time last year when only a couple of people showed up to the live auditions.. I'm thinking we're moving up in the world.

In other news, I only have one more piece to study for our June concert and then I'll be ready to blabber on about the amazing pieces we've programmed to whomever will listen. Next time you see me, mention Gustav Holst and watch me have a stroke.

You may have noticed the picture attached to this particular blog. It has nothing to do with what I've written...I just want everyone to enjoy Gustavo Dudamel's "Dudahair". No man in the world has ever made me want to get a perm this badly...

Keep warm today. I just grabbed a blanket and a bowl of tomato soup - Great score study supplies!

DFS

Marc Zyla - Horn Extraordinaire

Hey UPO'ers (is it alright if I call you that? We're all friends, right?)

Wanted to let you know that the Urbana Pops's principal horn, Marc Zyla, will be performing his first DMA recital this Thursday at 7:30 pm in the University of Illinois Music Building Auditorium. It's going to be amazing, folks.

In other news, remember to audition for the UPO. Details are on the web!

DFS

Warm Weather and Exciting Stuff!

Hello UPO'ers!

Yes, it's been a while since the last UPO blog and I hope to start blogging a little more regularly now that our upcoming summer season is starting to shape up. A lot of really great things have happened in the last couple of months including our wildly successful Dino Duets event and the news of our Urbana Arts Council grant. It's always been my idea to keep pushing to make our ensemble more top-notch and this season will continue in that tradition.

Our June concert will be the first concert in UPO history where every professional player will be paid. Though this concept is a given for bigger orchestras, it's kind of a big deal for us. I'm very glad that our hard-working musicians will be paid for their amazing services. They certainly deserve it.

I'm in the process now reviewing our summer season publicity and flyers. If you haven't heard about our new audition process, make sure you check it out at www.urbanapops.org/audition

Time to take a walk in this gorgeous weather. Make sure to drop me a line with the latest news!

DFS

Rehearsal Day!

Wow - The drive to Indiana was loooong, but we managed to collect our harp-player-extrodinare Katerine Denler (she is well worth the 6 hour round trip!)

Let's see...Today's schedule includes an appearance with WICD-TV's Doug Quick. Also, our first full rehearsal for the Holiday Concert is tonight at 7pm!

Somehow, "excited" just isn't enough to explain it :)

DFS

Kevin Kelly

Looks like I have an interview with Kevin Kelly on Monday at 12pm. Listen in to hear special performances by guest vocalists Audrey Vallance and Matt Reeder!

Tickets are still available - Get yours now before they are gone!