Sunday, February 22, 2004

Purdue Symphonic Band and Orchestra

My son and I attended the Purdue Symphonic Band and Symphonic Orchestra concert today at the Long Center. Another great show!


Patrick Sheridan PhotoThe Symphonic Band featured Martin Ellerby's Tuba Concerto performed by Patrick Sheridan. What a great piece! There isn't very much tuba literature available, and Ellerby's composition is a nice addition to the repertoire. Plus, Sheridan was very audience friendly, and he included a quick rendition of the Flight of the Bumblebee and an improv based on Paul McCartney's Blackbird. He closed with the piccolo solo from Stars and Stripes.


The Orchestra presented a great reading of Morton Gould's American Salute. They were joined by Jonathan Whitaker of IU for Nino Rota's Concerto for Trombone. This man is a fine player, and the selection was most entertaining.


We are always amazed when these groups play, and today was no exception.


Friday, February 20, 2004

WWJD - Who Willed Jesus Dead?

I just don't get this Mel Gibson/Anti-semitism uproar. He is being accused of saying that the Jews killed Jesus.


There are several reasons why I don't think this makes sense: