I hate to bore our fans, but I believe a review of the last few days' events is in order. Being in Chicago was quite the experience, and I believe I shall go back one day.
The clinic was a very big-to-do event, with approximately 12,000 music educators, students, and other such persons. I, of course, went to mostly those things dealing with jazz. I knew that Jamey Aebersold talked funny, but I didn't realize that he himself was so funny. Much hilarity ensued during his Jazz Improv 101. And lucky me, I got to hear Phil Woods play with the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, which was extremely good. I also heard Dale Underwood play with a community band from California. I went to a trombone class, which turned out to be one of the best things I went to, and one of the guys running it plays with the Rolling Stones. I didn't get to see the One O'clock , for we were out of town by that time. Perhaps I'll live. Now, for all intents and purposes, I am, as far as The Midwest Clinic is concerned, the Elementary School music teacher in Hope Arkansas. I suppose I should be watching for mail.
Besides the clinic, Chicago itself was quite interesting. From riding in taxi cabs and getting off the train at Union Station, to eating pizza and hearing folks play Christmas Carols for money on the streets, I felt like a true big city dweller. We even went to the Auditorium Theatre to see The Nutcracker, which blew me away and really made me wonder what I did to deserve being born in Southwest Arkansas. Even the food there is better, and the houses...I love 'em. Most of them are big but cozy, old, and have like three feet between them. I wouldn't mind living there for a while. The cold didn't really even bother me much. You just have to make sure and bundle up really well.
The highlight of the whole trip was, of course, Kitty O'Sheas. Moore and Broaders entertained like the Irishmen they are, and I ate my shepherds pie like I'd never eaten before. The only thing that would have made it better was if I'd got to stay all night and drink the pint. Because of time issues we didn't get to take an iPod picture with the Irish cow, but I'll be back, so not to worry.
Now that I'm back in the dullness of Arkansas, we need to get this Christmas Gala underway, otherwise boredom will infect my very being, but thank goodness today I'm booked. It's about time...
seashell
