Dear Ms. Widget,

I was wondering, when is Lee going to wear that airplane outfit on stage again? I have to make sure I attend that concert, because Lee looks really cute in plush.

Andrea

ps -- Please don't misinterpret -- you, Ms. Widget, are the most cutest staff member in the whole DWS office.

Andrea,

Lee says he really likes wearing silly costumes, like Spirit Jr., the mascot for Southwest Airlines. He told me that he hopes he can wear it on July 4th this year. He also said he's open to any other silly costume ideas people might have, so if you have any, send them in!

Lee also has a great lap...I like to sit in it during the day. But sometimes he gets mad at me when I try to sit on his papers or something. I don't know why though, papers make a good place to sit. I guess he's never tried to sit on his papers, otherwise he would understand and maybe not get so mad at me.

Meow,

Ms. Widget

PS - Yes of course I am the cutest staff member. I'm glad you recognize that. I bet I'd look good in plush too.

I want to know the name of the percussion (?) instrument that was played during the April 18, 2006 Dallas Wind Symphony concert.  I believe it was on the last piece, Festive Overture by Dmitri Shostakovich/Hunsberger.  The instrument was up front right next to the conductor and the conductor called it a Celli____ (something).  Conductor Jerry Junkin also said that this instrument is the one that makes the tinkling sounds during the Waltz of the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker Suite.  I was really intrigued by this instrument and would like to know more about it.

Thank you,

Helen B.

P.S. My 24-year-old cat Mr. Peanut says hello to you.

Hi Helen!  Hi Mr. Peanut!

Wow, I hope I get to live as long as you, Mr. Peanut!  You’re older than the Wind Symphony, and almost as old as some of our musicians!

The percussion instrument you’re referring to is a celeste or celesta.  Here’s the wikipedia article on it:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/celesta.  You can hear a sample of the instrument on the New York Philharmonic’s KidZone! page at:  www.nyphilkids.org/lockerroom/celeste.html. 

Hope this helps!

Purrs,

Ms. Widget

Dear Ms. Widget:

I have three questions.  First off, does the DWS plan on coming out with any new CDs any time soon?  I have all their current CDs, and love them to death.  Second, can you buy audio or video recordings of your concerts?  And last, does the DWS ever plan to make a national tour?  I know I would love to see them come here to Mr. Lyman Brodie’s hometown, Orlando, FL.

-Derek M.

Hi Derek!

You’ve come to the right cat to get your questions answered!  Here we go…

1)     I have it on good authority that there will be a new CD coming out some time this fall/winter!  Although I’d prefer catnip for Christmas, it will probably make a good present for all my non-feline friends.  You can find more details in the "news" section of our new website.

2)     Due to copyright issues and legal mumbo-jumbo, unfortunately recordings of our concerts are not available.

3)     A national tour is a lovely idea, except I’d hate to see everyone go off and leave me here!  Personal feelings aside, though, it would be great to see the DWS tour.  For now, we’ll have to settle for taking a trip to Chicago this December to perform at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic.

Best wishes,

Ms. Widget

Hello

From the band’s web-site, you performed Artie Shaw’s Clarinet Concerto in 1997.

My own band, The Northampton Concert Band in England, is hoping to perform the piece – can you advise me where to get a concert band set of parts, please?

Regards, Michael.

Michael,

Wow, 1997 was a long time ago!  I wasn’t even alive then!  But you are correct that we performed this piece then.  I got one of my “people” to look it up for me, and this is a piece we own in our library.  It looks to be an old piece, from Mills Music, New York (which they tell me isn’t around anymore).  Being a cat, I’m not much good at research, but what research I did, didn’t turn up anything useful.  I did get to use a mouse, though, so that was great!

Wishing you luck in your quest,

Ms. Widget 

Big fan of the DWS.  I could not locate t-shirts on the website.  Is it possible to still order some and if so how much.

Thanks

Charley

Also my cat Cabo can’t get into the band music I play at home, any ideas?

Dear Big Fan Charley,

We are in the process of a big technology upgrade.  The new website design is just the first step.  We definitely want to sell merchandise online (especially those wonderful HFMFBA shirts featuring one very charming feline!).  Unfortunately, right now the process is still “in the works.”  The best way to get one of these shirts is to buy one at a DWS concert, or call us up here at World Headquarters (214-565-9463).  Don’t worry about calling during my naptime – I sleep through the phone ringing all the time!

Are you playing DWS recordings for Cabo?  If not, that might be the problem.  He’s probably just very discriminating in his tastes, as am I, and does not want to hear anything but the best.

Meow,

Ms. Widget

Dear Miss Widget,

It was lovely to see you today at the DWS World Headquarters. The diet is doing wonders for your coat, and you are looking as svelt as ever. Do you ever get to attend any of the shows at the Meyerson? I think it would be grand if you helped with Dr. Carol’s Windnotes, as well as greeted guests prior to the fanfare. We hope this can be arranged for the 2006/2007 season. Should you need a ride to the show, we’d be happy to swing by and get you. I could even arrange a very smart ensemble if you are worried about what to wear.

Hugs and purrs, Kathy & Rocky

Kathy & Rocky,

It was great seeing you guys too! I’m glad you can tell the difference in my coat…I was beginning to wonder if it was all in my head!

I haven’t been to a show at the Meyerson yet. I really would love to go, but the guys around the office seem to be worried about me staying put. What a fantastic time I could have exploring the Meyerson on my own!

I’ll definitely let you know about getting a ride, and we should talk even sooner about that ensemble…I could be the cat’s meow!

Ms. Widget

Ms. Widget:

What do you think of the “Dog Bowl” occurring this Sunday at the Cotton Bowl? Is it time for a cat event? Or are you felines too cultured for romping?

We should get together with your guys for a science of music event!

Barbara C.

Barbara,

So nice to hear from one of my neighbors! Sorry it’s taken a while to get back to you…they’ve got me working “like a dog” for the Starlight concerts out here at the Band Shell. I’m not much for dog events – I can barely handle one of those mangy creatures, let alone a whole gaggle of them! A cat event might be nice, but I’d like it better if I was the only feline there. We’re just not too keen on socializing, us kitties.

However, I absolutely relish your idea for a science of music event! What a fascinating and entertaining activity that could be! I’ll pass that along to my “people” and see what they think!

Ms. Widget

Does the DWS channel band composers?

Robert S.

Robert-

Not quite sure what you mean here. I had one of my people look up “channel” (have you ever tried to use the dictionary without opposable thumbs?!)

Anyway, the definition they found was “to serve as a medium for (a spirit guide).” I am not aware of us serving as a medium for any dead composers per se, although in essence, that’s what you do any time you play a composer’s music. So, take that for what it’s worth.

Meow,

Ms. Widget

Ms. Widget:

You ROCK.

Where does all that tubing go when the trombone players pull their slides back toward their face?

And, what’s this huffmuffbuh stuff?

Kim C.

Kim:

Yes, I do rock. You are very observant. However, the Dallas Wind Symphony rocks harder.

Trombone. Don’t care for it much by itself, but it’s a nice addition to the band. And of course, to answer your question, they swallow it! Where else would it go?

Huffmuffbuh…they’ve been saying that a lot around the office lately. They say it’s short for our slogan…Have Fun, Make Friends, Be Amazed.

I think it just sounds funny.

Ms. Widget

Ms. Widget:

Well this is too cute.

Carol W.

Yes, I am rather cute, aren’t I?

Ms. Widget

Dear cute Widget,

Does Lee really do anything at DWS?

Just curious.

Andrea

Dear cute Andrea,

Lee mostly reads the paper and provides a good lap for me to sit in. He’s real fun to bug. Sometimes he does work, but I think mostly he just lays around and naps.

Oh wait, that’s me.

Ms. Widget

Hi Ms. Widgeeee!

I’m so glad to see you have your own page on the website now! I’m sending you virtual ear-scratches and laptime.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox, Vicky

Miss Vicky!!

I miss you. This new girl’s alright, but she has a picture of ANOTHER CAT on her desk. The nerve!

Thanks for the ear-scratches…purrr. Come visit me some time!

Ms. Widget

My son is interested in buying a quality Baritone/Euphonium. I really need help in trying to figure out where to look. Please help!!

Thank you,
Holly K.

Holly,

Your son should switch to something quieter…like purring.

But really…this Wind Symphony has lots of experts in it. If you want an expert in napping or playing – that’s me! But for a Euphooon…whatever…you should ask one of our low brass guys, like Brian Davis, David Strand, Alex Cauthen, or Jason Wallace. You can find their e-mail addresses under “People” on this website.

Don’t worry, they don’t bite or have sharp claws.

Ms. Widget

hi from canada

is the “tico tico” band set available anywhere at all?? it is a track on the “beachcomber” cd.

thanks

graeme p.

hi from texas!

Graeme, I’m glad you asked.

I happen to know that you can get the band version of Tico-Tico from De Haske Music Publishers in Europe. They even have a website (though I don’t see any cats, so it’s obviously not as cool as this one). Anyway, go here: www.dehaske.com.

Make sure and get the band version, arranged by Naohiro Iwai.

Cats are smart, huh?

Ms. Widget