Untitled Document

Hitty Geneva's Visit to Gita and the Preble Beach Hittys

Hitty Geneva KC Concert Hall Rehearsal

Well I thought the rehearsal at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall stage was quite fascinating,
but with all these wooden instruments onstage, I thought perhaps they might benefit by some proper inspiration

These lovely old cello's were quite in agreement, that something more was needed to spice up the rehearsal...

So naturally I conferred with the tenor soloist Issachah Savage, his card says "the Golden Tenor"
He was most enchanting, his voice is truly golden - especially when he asked that I...

With just a tad encouragement - Ascend the Podium

Indeed, with a baton in my grasp (courtesy of "Peg Leg Pete",
an old pal of mine from the Diana Kate) I took to the podium rather naturally.

Before I knew it I was swept into the score.
The musicians watching and responding with a heretofore unknown energy, as my wooden soul connected their instruments
with their roots - as if we were cut from the very same tree.

With a keen appreciation for a truly well rounded musical experience,
my travels included a visit to the Appalachian Bluegrass Shop in Catonsville Maryland

I believe the natural grain of these lovely instruments rather compliment my complexion don't you?

A rather manly specimen quite captured my fancy - but by now
I was itching to find an instrument more complimentary to my stature.

When Suddenly I heard the sweet strains of nail clippings clattering
across wood grain floorboards - and discovered an Entire room of Ukulele players!

I sooooo wanted to join in and play the Ukulele! I started singing my heart out along with this lovely woman!

HOME

This gentleman clearly needed some help, and I of course was
more than happy to oblige and offer some much needed coaching and encouragment

His wife very graciously let me play along, and was
most interested in my insights into the nature and true grandeur of the Ukulele

Suddenly I noticed across the room, my hostess Hitty Buzby animatedly offering her own insights
and encouragement to her person, who was playing a banjo uke. I quite like this type of uke as it is quite loud for its size,
and rather able to drown out the rather questionable if not enthusiastic efforts at singing of her person.
Rather like a Hitty is able to as well! Hellooooo Hitty Buzby!

I must say I quite enjoyed my forays into Hillybilly territory!
It reminded me of my very earliest days with Phoebe, when much to the chagrin of her mother, the Old Peddlar
would whisk out his ukulele and strum up a tune which got my pegs to dancing every time! Ahhhh the memories!

Well here I am at University Of Maryland Baltimore County UMBC
where I was brought in to help coach the dress rehearsal of the student concerto competition winner
Elizabeth Shin playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto - or so I thought....

Everytime I tried to add something crucial to the artistic product, that person of Hitty Buzby's had something to say instead...
I had a perfect view until her head ended up in the way... My, how little care they take with hair these days! It must be some professorial thing...
In any event, despite such distracting trifles, I began to truly swoon with the music - and that's when I decided
to set my sights higher - more in keeping with my true stature and artistic proclivities -
So as the music just swelled within me, I just could not contain myself any longer, and the next thing I knew......

I hopped right up on the podium and began directing the orchestra -
"More Dolce Strings - Support the line - Yes, that's more like it!"

"Yes Brass - Belt it Out - From the Diaphragm - Support your sound like Adelina Patti! Rise to a thundering Crescendo that would Make Jenny Lind Soar!!!"
I was besides myself with the thundering waves of full unadulterated Orchestral Bliss! - Had my hair not been so
firmly painted on my head it would have stood on end...rather something like that professors, whom I suddenly noticed was coming at me quite precipitously...and
before I knew it, whisked me right off the podium to my utter discombobulation and no small amount of displeasure.
"Watch the Dress!" I exclaimed to no apparent effect...
I had apparently displaced that little man waving his tiny arms...something about "Department Chair"....- "So what does That have to do with Conducting Anyways?!
- I mean does'nt he have papers to push or something?" "We are Making Music Here!" I demanded - as I was escorted rather unceremoniously out of the auditorium....

Which is how I got banned from attending what turned out to be a stellar performance by Elizabeth.
Later the orchestra quite agreed that my contributions had in no small part contributed to a smashing success!
Note the nifty black wooden soloist podium that professors husband whipped up that morning, it focused Elizabeth's
sound so purely I heard every crystalline note from the lobby, where he kept me company along with the professors cello
as we had just raced from another performance and she hopped out of the car and made it inside just in time!
It was so very kind of him to stay with me and pay such gentlemanly care and attention to such precious wood, oh, and the cello too.
So he didnt get to enjoy the full fruits of his efforts either, but we did have a delightful time together anyway.
That man does have a knack for carpentry - the Old Peddlar would have been delighted!

In deference to my contributions to the evenings success, I was spirited past security and backstage to the artists dressing room
where I hopped right in a lovely bouquet of flowers and had my picture taken along with the other artists of the evening.
Elizabeth is leaning in to Thank me - Oh, what a Dear Girl and Wonderful cellist she is!
I think the evenings conductor might have overheard us, but he cheered right up after I straightened out his bowtie before the second half.
We conductors have got to stick together after all!