Perrin Cornell, ABR

In January of '09 I wrote about an event that was put together by the community for budding musicians. An opportunity for professionals and students to meet and work together (http://activerain.com/blogsview/887356/Wenatchee-Should-be-Proud).

Last week a similar event happened but this was not exactly planned. Chanticleer (sp?) a 12 man vocal group from SF was at the Wenatchee Performing Arts Center. They were, in a word, FANTASTIC! I had never heard a male soprano (not falsetto). It was an opportunity that the roughly 500 people on hand really enjoyed.

After the performance the music teacher for Wenatchee High School, smuggled his acapella choir members back stage and had about a 20 minute impromptu music lesson for his charges from the group members...one on one and no interruptions.

Chanticleer should be commended and the teacher too. It was a great evening!

Last night I attended a Jazz Concert at the Performing Arts Center. There were six musicians from the LA area. All were friends and soon going on a tour. All seemed to have, Doc S, The Tonight Show and NBC in common, judging from the Bios. And they were excellent. Their performance was in conjunction with our own "Big Band" whihc is also pretty good.

Here is the important part, and why I am writing this post. Because of the activities of several local residents these musicians came here not just for the concert but to spend a full week with the local schools, middle school through High School, teaching technique and in general helping our kids develop and grow on the musical scene. The concert was just the culmination of the week. In fact on Friday Night they put on a concert with the students too...

Everyone grew... the musicians, community and the kids...win win all around!

This is the ninth year we have had this program and everyone in it deserves a round of applause...

Not much to write about but we did finally get some snow. So far about an inch but more is forecast for the weekend as well as lower temperatures.

If you are not familiar with Wenatchee we are close to the geographic center of Washington State. IN the summer we have a couple weeks (usually late July and first of Aug) where temps get to 100 or so. Though because of our location they also cool down to the high 60's at night. In the winter we also get a few weeks of snow...usually off and on and not much more than 6-12". (though there have been times...not long ago one News Year Eve had 30" ) and usually a week of two in late December or early Jan where temps drop to single digits and occasionally sub-zero.

But I digress. So we now have some snow. For our valley and the people that live here the snow is an important commodity. It not only provides water in the summer but the blanket of snow helps insulate the fruit trees so they don't freeze when we get really cold temps. Naturally a blanket of white on the houses and homes in the valley as well as the hills and mountains makes for beautiful panoramas. I guess you could say we are thrice blessed.

Sure it gets sloppy, and messy and even dirty... but for now it is clean and brite. As a homeowner in the Valley I appreciate the four seasons and the constant change. Though the weather can effect real estate sales and keep buyers indoors. But all in all a great time to be alive!

Have a Merry Christmas!