A Weekend of Thanks

 Thanksgiving and My Mom's 56th Birthday fell on the very same day this year.  Of course, to honor this my Dad dubbed it  Mom's "Birdday".  We were so lucky to celebrate the holiday with both friends AND family.  And quite frankly, sometimes family is more than just a blood relation.

I thought I would post a few photos from our family Thanksgiving celebrations.  I have to admit, these photos are stolen from both my mom and Uncle Ronnie.  I honestly did bring my camera, but with these two photographers already on the scene, I thought it would be captured well. 
We thought it wasn't fair that my Mom had to cook a huge feast on her own birthday, so we extended the celebrations to Saturday night for a nice family dinner at Woodberry Kitchen in Hampden.

Mom's Bday at Woodberry Kitchen

Where have you been??

So sorry for my delay in posting new and interesting material.  Life has taken over, and my bloggin has fallen to the wayside.

Don't worry though, there is plenty to come!  Especially with the Holidays right around the corner.  Very exciting.

As the holiday's approach, so does the never ending cycle of holiday concerts!  This year is pretty packed, but I have to say I am looking forward to conducting as well as performing myself.



Nice Wig, Handel.



Here is the Concert Run Down-  Feel free to attend any or none of these events!

Friday, December 3rd and Saturday, December 4th-  I'm performing Handel's Holiday Favorite, the "Messiah", at Hood College in Frederick Maryland.  These shows will feature a full orchestra and choir, and should be a great way to celebrate.  If you are interested in going, tickets are available at https://secure.hood.edu/adminservices/olpayments.cfm?pid=aim/index2.cfm

What does that sound like?  Here is a taste:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76RrdwElnTU

YOU could be in that audience!  Just Imagine!

December 5th-  Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra Performance at Strathmore.  I'm not performing or conducting, just managing this group.  HA!  I will be back stage organizing children. 

Such a great guy!

December 11th-  MCPS Big Band Festival.  I'm taking my awesome jazz band to perform in a workshop featuring renowned sax player Chris Vadala (also a UMD faculty Member)

Yeah, that's me Jazzin it up.

Vienna Philharmonic

  December 10th-  Concert with the Montgomery College Wind Ensemble-  I will be performing in this one as well, we are playing a festive collection of celebratory songs.  Much like the Vienna Philharmonic's New Years Day Program.  Check out this selection:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VzwD1TK6So  Gotta Love Old People! 

December 14th-  Thomas W. Pyle Winter Concert.  Conducted by me!  Finally, all my fledgling musicians will perform on one magical, really long concert.  Yay!

Well, that about sums it up.  There will be a few more concerts to attend (like my colleagues concerts at Whitman and the Choral Concert at Pyle)  as well as a possible Jam Session for Ben's Co-Workers at the holiday party (I will be slappin da bass for that one).  Perhaps you can make it to one!

Part 2- Gotham City isn't so Scary

Fall.  Journalism.  Student.  Teacher.  Wife.  Camera.  New York City.

The New York Public Library

Mr. English

Calling the Troops

Warmth.  Love.

Future Journalists

Meeting With Katherine Bernard, from Vogue (also a family friend!)

On the Record

Outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Someone has to take a picture of me.....

Central Park

SOHO

Halloween Weekend Part 1

This year our Halloween weekend was a surprising mix of traditional hometown style rowdiness with the beauty, excitement and grittiness of New York City.

First stop, the Hess Home for Halloween Festivities

Are those British 1960's Hipsters?  Yeah, Baby, Yeeeeeeeeaaaah.

Oh and the party was thrown by one little lady bug

And one crazy lady killer and his YMCA posse

Oh yeah, Jon is Prince.

Next stop:  NYC with Ben's Journalism Class.  I was a chaperone (which I have to say, is QUITE different from actually running a NYC trip...)  A post to follow.

Happy Halloween!