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