SOS Notes

News and general information of interest to band members & fans

6/19/08 - Congratulations to our new Officers:  Eric Hirsch (General Manager) and Drew Konnerth (Financial Manager)!

1/1/08 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!  No regular rehearsal this week - Trumpet Sectional tomorrow night - Officers+ meet to plan Spring dance-gig & concert-gig repertoire - regular rehearsals resume next Wednesday (Jan. 9th)

12/27/07 - Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays to all friends and families of the SOS Big Band!  Great year in '07, plans for an even better year in '08!  Check out the band's current roster and the long list of Alumni that have participated in band activities over the years.

4/5/07 - Congratulations to Dave Coccia on being elected as the SOS Big Band's Music Director!

2/15/07 - After much gnashing-of-teeth and bad weather, most of us (6 saxes, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 3 rhythm, 1 vocalist) made it to the Valentine's Day gig and did a fabulous job... and everyone got home safely!  Thanks to all who braved the elements to support this gig.  BTW, about 110-120 dance-happy crazy people also made it to the dinner dance - major success!  HGG

2/14/07 - Valentine's Day Gig - it's still "ON" as of 9:04AM  12.56PM  2:38PM   3:52PM - - - At this late time it's near impossible for the organizers to cancel the event.  I'll be leaving work to head for the Holiday Inn at ~ 4:20'ish... be careful!  HGG

2/13/07 - Valentine's Day Gig - Dinner Dance - for Mansfield Music & Arts Society - As of  8:58AM  11:06AM   12:45PM    3:03PM  11.52PM  today, the gig is "ON" - If there is a weather postponement, all band members will be notified via e-mail and info will be posted on this page.  We will also try to phone everyone, leaving messages when no one answers.  So, check your e-mail, check your telephone answering machine, and check this "SOS Notes" page.  HGG

10/24/06 - Mega-Gig in Chicago!  As reported to the membership, the band has been invited to provide entertainment for a private New Years Eve party (~300 people) in Chicago, IL.  The client will fly the entire band out to Chicago and back for this gig.  While there are an incredible amount of logistics to be worked-out, the biggest question is member availability.  Check your schedules and let me know ASAP!  HGG

8/22/06 - WOW!  It's been a while since I've posted info in "SOS Notes"... sorry 'bout that.  Band shirts have been ordered for all members, including those extras purchased by some members - should be in soon.  Note the next gig, Sunday, September 17th, benefit concert for the Rhode Island Food Bank - details to follow.  HGG

5/18/06 - The gig next week, to benefit the homeless in RI, will be at the Council Chambers of Warwick City Hall, Post Road, Warwick, RI.  We'll start playing at 7:30 PM - try to get there between 6:30-7:00 to help with set-up.  The "uniform" will be our traditional all black.  This will probably be one long set, although we might break it down into 2 sets... we'll flow-with-the-punches as necessary.  HGG

4/7/06 - Mike Conrad's Choir at the "Stone Church" (First Congregational Church of Raynham, UUC) in Raynham, MA is presenting a Lenten Coral meditation at 7:30 PM, Palm Sunday, April 9th, 2006.  The concert is titled "We Were There" with music by Pepper Choplin.  HGG

3/7/06 - Seems the SOS Notes section has become a communicator of bad news.  Again we must regrettably report the passing of two "friends of SOS" - Terry White's Father-In-Law has passed away after suffering a major stroke, and Jud Wiley's (Paster of Calvin Presbyterian Church, where we rehearse) Dad passed away this past Sunday evening.  Please keep Terry & Jud and their families in your prayers at this difficult time.  HGG

2/4/06 - Once again we've lost a member of our extended band family.  It is with deep regret that I report Don Dupre's Dad, Mr. Robert L. Dupre, passed away Friday.  Funeral arrangements have been made at Menard Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket, RI.  Wake/viewing will be from 4:00PM until 8:00PM this Monday, Feb. 6, 2006.  Click the link below for a Yahoo map of the funeral home's location.  HGG

Map of Hathaway Jr, William - Menard's Funeral Home
127 Carrington Ave
Woonsocket RI 02895

12/30/05 - WOW!  Great year in '05, topped off with terrific gigs at our "home", Calvin Presbyterian Church with a combined big band & handbell concert, and the our final gig of '05 at the Library in Woonsocket.  Lots of new charts, including our Holiday Season repertoire.  Many thanks to all who helped to make 2005 such a successful year for the SOS Big Band.  Going into 2006, we're fully staffed, financially sound, and a cohesive organization.  Last year we nearly doubled the number of charts in our library, so there's plenty of new stuff to challenge us.  Rehearsals resume on Wednesday, January 4th.  Have a great Holiday and New Year - see y'all on Jan. 4th.  HGG

11/2/05 - I'm saddened to report that Walt Bischoff, long time bass trombonist in Ed Maddern's Strictly Sentimental Swing Band (out of Riverside, RI) passed last Monday evening.  Contact Duffy Funeral Home in Attleboro, MA for arrangements.  HGG

9/16/05 -

Here’s a list of charts that we’ll likely play for both gigs next week.  There’s 22 charts on the list – we probably won’t play all of them.  The first set (for Wednesday night) will be played while people are eating, so the key here will be to play SOFT, and real laid-back.  You’ll note that most of our soft stuff is in this 1^st list.  We may pull Shiny Stockings because it has a big hit in it, but maybe that’ll wake them up.  For Friday we’ll play most of the same stuff, but probably a slightly different mix as we can better distribute the soft stuff in among the louder stuff.  So, for practice purposes, be prepared to play these charts.

 Soft laid-back stuff for playing while they’re eating….

• #24 – Moonlight Serenade
• #27 – Summertime (Barbara vocal)
• #20 – Moten Swing
• #37 – Queen Bee
• #50 – When I Fall In Love (Barbara vocal)
• #114 – Shiny Stockings
• #109 – Li’l Darlin’
• #17 – Moonglow – Barbara vocal, and/or…
• #18 – Moon River – Barbara vocal (Waltz)

2^nd set

• #119 – Tuxedo Junction
• #809 – Cute
• #150 – Blues For Buster
• #3 – Two O’Clock Jump
• #74 – Little Brown Jug
• #148 – It’s Only A Paper Moon (Ann Marie vocal)
• #21 – Quincy and the Count
• #122 - Witchcraft
• #936 – String Of Pearls
• #177 – Bari Bari Good
• #101 – April In Paris
• #838 – All Of Me
• #1 – In The Mood

 Directions for Wednesday evening at Le Foyer Club in Pawtucket (7:30 til?):

Rt-95 North from Providence area - - -

 Take exit 29 Broadway US-1 - - - Keep LEFT at the fork to go onto BROADWAY/ US-1 South - - - turn RIGHT onto BLACKSTONE AVE - - - turn RIGHT onto FOUNTAIN ST. (151 FOUNTAIN ST.)

Rt-95 South from Boston (& points north) toward Providence - - -

 Take US-1 exit 29 toward RI-114/ DOWNTOWN PAWTUCKET. - - - SHARP LEFT onto FOUNTAIN ST.  (151 FOUNTAIN ST.)

 Phone Number for Le Foyer Club is 401-725-8530

==================================================================

 Directions for Friday evening at Southern Mass. Arts Festival, Mansfield, MA, 7-9PM, at Mansfield's South Common, located at the intersection of East, West, & South Main St.:

From Rt-95, take exit #7A onto Rt-140 toward Mansfield - - - Go about 1 mile and turn left onto Chauncy St. (a.k.a. Rt-106) - - - Go about 300 yards and turn right onto Copeland Drive - - - Go about ½ mile and turn left onto West St. – go to intersection of West St., East St., & South Main St. to Mansfield’s South Common

From Rt-295 (north-bound), take the Rt-140 exit (last exit before Rt-95) - - - Go about ½ mile and turn right onto Copeland Drive - - - Go about ½ mile and turn right onto West St. – go to intersection of West St., East St., & South Main St. to Mansfield’s South Common

For both gigs the uniform is all-black.  PLEASE get to the gig as early as possible and commence with your set-up assignments.

8/26/05 - The SOS Big Band is now listed on "WedAlert.com" - check out www.wedalert.com - go to "Local Services", "Rhode Island", "Providence" County, "Entertainment Bands".  The listing also includes a link to this web site.  HGG

8/18/05 - Welcome to Tom Joyal, new member in our Trumpet section!

7/13/05 - The DCI (Drum Corp International) Drum & Bugle Corp World Championships is coming to Providence & Foxboro !!!!  Folks, this is your chance to see the finest Drum & Bugle Corp competition in the world - right here in our own back yard!  The DCI World Championships is being held from August 9th thru the 13th in various venues in Providence and SE MA, with "Division 1 Finals" at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 13th.  As a special feature, the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Drum & Bugle Corp will be performing in exhibition at the DCI Division 1 Semi-Finals on Friday evening, Aug. 12th.  Then, on Sunday 8/14, the Ocean State Classic - a DCA (Drum Corp Associates) Sr. Drum & Bugle Corp competition, will be held at Pierce Memorial Field in E. Providence, featuring the Connecticut Hurricanes, Bushwackers, Syracuse Brigadiers, Empire Statesmen, and the world famous Hawthorne Caballeros.  For those of you who have never seen a Drum & Bugle Corp competition, this is an opportunity of a lifetime.  Details of both the DCI World Championships and the Ocean State Classic can be found on the DCI website;  www.dci.org   HGG

7/1/05 - New gig added to the schedule - Wednesday, August 3rd, at the "Stone Church" in Raynham Center, MA.  This is part of the "Stone Church Summer Concert Series", sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Raynham, U.C.C., 785 South Main Street (Route 104), Raynham Center, MA.  (NOTE:  It's an air conditioned facility !!!!).  The STSCS has Sterling Brass (a brass quartet) on July 13th, Paul Gabriel (acoustic guitar) on July 27th, and the SOS Big Band on August 3rd.    We start playing at 7:00 PM, so prepare for the "time" challenge !!!!  Thanks to Mike Conrad for getting this gig.  HGG

6/21/05 - Reminder that tomorrow night's gig at Blackstone Falls kicks off at 7:00 PM sharp.  Get there early, help with set-up, warm up, and be seated & ready to play by 7:00.  Dress is Hawaiian shirt with tan kaki pants.  This is an outside gig, so bring some bug repellant.  (If rain, we'll play inside.)  HGG

6/10/05 - OK gang, here's info for the 6/12 Calvin Picnic gig - dress code is Hawiian Shirt, tan kaki pants or shorts (this IS a picnic!).  Those playing special music for the Service, be there - ready to play! - by 9:30AM.  Others be there - ready to play! - by 11:30AM latest.  2 sets of ~ 10 charts each with a picnic lunch break.  Please bring a salad or desert - not required, but welcomed.  Bring family, friends, whatever.  Have Fun!  Here's our set-list...

Set-1:

No.	Chart	Notes
3	Two O'Clock Jump	immediately followed by....
24	Moonlight Serenade	real soft measure 5 to 2nd ending
934	Don't Get Around Much Anymore	Barbara vocal
74	Little Brown Jug
150	Blues For Buster
180	Ol' Man River
27	Summertime	Barbara vocal
7007	James Bond Theme
838	All Of Me	Barbara vocal, open solos
1	In The Mood

Lunch - Picnic - Break (~ 15-20 minutes)

No.	Chart	Notes
294	Sing, Sing, Sing
50	When I Fall In Love	Barbara vocal
177	Bari Bari Good
37	Queen Bee
148	It's Only A Paper Moon	Ann Marie vocal
122	Witchcraft
21	Quincy And The Count
23	The Glory Of Love	Barbara vocal
936	String Of Pearls
101	April In Paris

                    Standby Charts:

No.	Chart
23	Moten Swing
30	Green Eyes
40	Brown Baggin' It
109	Li'l Darlin'
114	Shiny Stockings
119	Tuxedo Junction
126	Groovin' Hard
143	Chattanooga Choo Choo
175	Someone To Watch Over Me
809	Cute
818	Basie Straight Ahead

 

5/28/05 - Super job at Jenks Jr. HS in Pawtucket!  Many thanks to Ken Amylon, Jim McClelland, & Don McLean for sitting-in on trombone at our 5/25 rehearsal!  Shawn will be returning from Reno & Las Vegas in about a week-n-a-half.  Get well soon prayers for Debbie Lyons.  HGG

5/6/05 - Congratulations to Don Dupre, our newest Band Officer - Don is responsible for getting gigs ("Gig Getter"), and overall event coordination - sort of our resident booking agent and "taker-carer-of" guy.  Haven't figured out an official title yet!  Note the addition of the Blackstone Falls gig on June 22nd on the Schedule page, and also info on other gigs scheduled over the next few months.  Welcome to Ben Bogard who has been filling the lead tenor sax chair over the past month.  Shawn is still doing his thing out in Reno, NV - he passes along "hi guys" to everyone - hurry back, Shawn, we need ya!  HGG

3/23/05 - Gee wizzzzz - another snow storm!  Yeah, rehearsal cancelled AGAIN!  Can't say "Spring is just around the corner" 'cause it IS Spring!  Stay home, keep warm, have a great Easter, and see y'all next Wednesday.  BTW, got about a dozen new vocal charts arranged by "Nick Baccala" - all "belt polishing ballads", and most have a written-in 5th trumpet part!  HGG

3/7/05 - Sectionals:  Vocal section is rehearsing at 7:15 Wednesday (3/9/05) before band rehearsal.  Rhythm is rehearsing Monday, March 14th - probably in Hank's garage (TBD).  Trumpets, Trombones, Saxes - advise Hank of your schedule ASAP.  HGG

3/7/05 - NOTE:  Pawtucket Jr. HS gig changed to Wednesday, May 18th - please mark your calendars!  Also, note tentative gig in Providence on Saturday, May 28th (Saturday of Memorial Day weekend) - 3 sets - primarily waltz's and foxtrots, some swing, ballads, & Latin.  ALL MEMBERS:  Advise Hank re your availability.  HGG

2/26/05 - Below is a list of charts we'll be playing at the upcoming Providence College gig - the order hasn't been set yet.  There's 21 charts listed - we're doing 2 sets of (probably) 9 charts/set - so, a couple of these charts won't make the cut.  Stay tuned for the final revised revision of the original revision revised.

2/22/05 - The date for the St. James Summer Carnival has changed to Wednesday, July 20th, with a rain date of Thursday, July 21st.  HGG

2/17/05 - Welcome to Steve Katz, new member in the trumpet section!  Upcoming gigs  are Wednesday, March 16th at Providence College - Thursday, April 14th at Pawtucket Jr. High School - plus St. James Summer Carnival in July and (tentatively) WaterFire in August!  HGG

2/7/05 - Well, the weather finally favored us last Wednesday and we held our 1st rehearsal of 2005.... and it was a great rehearsal - terrific turnout - all sections full except rhythm (Walter sixk & Kieth's wife sick).  Fortunate to have Karen Mellor sit-in on drums.... great job Karen, and many MANY thanks for helping out on such short notice.  I've been e-mailing new charts so everyone could have a chance to review prior to rehearsal - hope to continue this approach in the future.  We've got 3-4 tentative gigs set up for this Spring, so the next several rehearsals are very important!  See y'all this Wednesday.  HGG

1/31/05 - Weather report for Wednesday looks good - FINALLY - rehearsal is ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  See ya Wednesday night.  HGG

1/26/05 - Really starting to get annoyed with all this SNOW !!!!!  Yeah, another Wednesday, another snow storm, and another cancelled rehearsal!  Sorry guys-n-gals, but it's just not worth someone getting stuck or having an accident because of trying to make rehearsal in a snow storm.  We'll try again next Wednesday!  Fortunately this is the last Wednesday in January - hopefully in February the snow storms will occur on another night.  In the mean time, get your instruments out and PLAY!  Check out the new chart I e-mailed to everyone - we'll try it at the next rehearsal.  HGG

1/23/05 - KEEP WARM and don't over extend shoveling snow!  See y'all Wednesday!  HGG

1/19/05 - ANOTHER SNOW STORM!  Rehearsal cancelled - see y'all next week.  HGG

1/11/05 - Reminder:  Tomorrow night is our 1st rehearsal since last year!  Hopefully the weather will cooperate this week!  HGG

1/7/05 - Bob Ladich (trombone section) and his family are moving to the Harrisburg, PA area to be closer to his primary work area.  Bob, you've been a wonderful asset to the band, and we all certainly wish you and Tamara the very best of everything.  Harrisburg is a great area, lots of activities and good people.  Look up the "Moonlighters" out of Lititz, PA, as big swing band very similar to SOS.  HGG

1/5/05 - Rehearsal cancelled - weather probably good enough to get to rehearsal, but weather report for late evening is un-good.  So, see y'all next week (1/12).  AMG

1/5/05 - Very un-good weather (snow & ice conditions) predicted, so may cancel tonight's rehearsal - it's still ON for now - check this web site, your e-mail, and phone messages for updates.  HGG

January 1, 2005 - HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !    HGG

12/16/04 - GREAT PARTY!  Many MANY thanks to all who brought food/drinks - the plan-n-eat party was fantastic.  WOW!  What a spread!  All kinds of tasty stuff to eat.  These annual family get-togethers just keep getting better and better every year.  To those who helped the SOS Big Band during the past year (Miles Davis, Gary Sugal, Don McLean, and many others) by sitting-in at rehearsals or gigs, THANK YOU!  And a big "GIANT THANK YOU"  to Barbara Bussart for helping out by sitting in on keyboards.  With Eric being out, this was a tremendous help for our rehearsal/party.  Also big thanks to Keith Crochiere for donating some microphone & speaker cables to the band - they're very much needed and appreciated.  We're off now for the Holidays, returning "next year" - next rehearsal will be Wednesday, January 5th.  In the mean time, and on behalf of the SOS Big Band, our officers and members, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.  HGG 

12/13/04 - Sad news!  Just learned that Eric Hirsch's brother was killed this past weekend in a cave diving accident in Mexico - don't know any other details at this time.  Obviously Eric will be out this week, but he left a message to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season.  Please keep Eric and his family in your prayers during this difficult period.  HGG

12/9/04 - Starting in January we'll be scheduling sectional rehearsals on a 2nd night each week - one week it'll be saxes, another week it'll be rhythm, another week trumpets, another week 'bones, etc., maybe even sectionals for vocalists.  This is all gearing up to producing our next CD and also preparing our base repertoire for the 2005 spring season.  Please give some thought to best nights for sectionals for each section - need to put the schedule together ASAP.  I'll be e-mailing a spreadsheet for all members to fill out with OK dates, "maybe-I-can-make-it-with-some-gnashing-of-teeth" dates, and "absolutely-can't-make-it-the-world-will-come-to-an-end" dates.  HGG

12/9/04 - DON'T FORGET - Christmas Party fun at next rehearsal!  See 12/2/04 for info.  HGG

12/2/04 - Annual Christmas Party / Rehearsal set for Wednesday, Dec. 15th - bring food - bring wives or "Significant Others" - bring yourselves - bring your instruments - bring!  Family & friends welcome.  We'll rehearse a little, eat a little, be merry, etc.  HGG

11/30/04 - December 10th gig cancelled.  HGG

11/28/04 - Don't forget - regular rehearsals resume this Wednesday evening, 12/1/04 - - - current plans are to rehearse 12/1, 8, 15, & 22 - - - no rehearsal 12/29 - - - resume 1/4/05.  HGG

11/19/04 - Got an opportunity to get custom polo/golf shirts with an SOS Big Band logo on the left chest area - only need to order 6 at a time - same source as used by the Hawthorne Caballeros & Caballeros Alumni for their clothing merchandise, really good quality stuff - MEMBERS:  What's your thoughts?  Any interest?  HGG

11/19/04 - Super job last night folks!  And many MANY thanks to Chris Lawson & Don McLean for sitting in.  Got a lot of very positive feedback, from "music people" in attendance.   In fact, we got a tentative gig booking for Dec. 10th - more details to follow.  In the mean time, please advise your availability for Friday night, Dec. 10th.  BTW, Ann Marie digitally recorded the whole gig (!) - no, not the chatter between playing, but all the stuff we played.  Haven't listened to it yet, but (if it's decent) I may cut some CD's of this gig.  Lemme know if you're interested in one.  Reminder - no rehearsal next Wednesday (Thanksgiving eve) - regular rehearsals resume Wednesday, Dec. 1st - same place, same time.  Hava great Thanksgiving!!!!  HGG

11/18/04 - See updated set list for Advent House gig (see 11/16 below) - reminder to 'bones, 'pets, & rhythm - bring your own music stands - I'll bring our music stand lights if we need them.  HGG

11/17/04 - Received 5 covers for our performance sax music stands made by Judy Reali (of Calvin Presbyterian Church's Choir) - they're made of sweat shirt material (gray outside, white inside) and are very soft - Velcro top to seal -  wonderful protection for the stands.  Judy designed them, got the material, and made them!  Many thanks, Judy, these covers are absolutely FANTASTIC!  You're now an OFFICIAL HONORARY MEMBER of the SOS Big Band!  HGG

11/16/04 - Preliminary Set List for Advent House gig - note that charts and order of playing them may change - in fact, it's likely they WILL change after rehearsal tomorrow night.  However this is a good idea of what we'll be playing - so, PRACTICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!       HGG  (Revised 11/18)

11/16/04 - Don't forget, "uniform" for Advent House gig is BLACK-BLACK-BLACK... be there by 6:30 for warm-up & set-up - we start playing at 7:00 PM sharp - set list to follow.  HGG

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