Hello EVERYONE!

It's been WAY too long since I blogged.  A lot has happened in the past year.  The SWFLSO survived AND has come out on the other side of its struggle to exist as a leaner, meaner organization.  The band almost closed its doors a year ago in July.  Since then, the office staff reorganized, moved to a better location, paid off its debts, had a very successful 2013-14 season, chose a new Music Director (Maestro Nir Kabaretti), AND refilled its endowment fund to the tune of $2 million dollars, with some monies left for operating expenses.

In the meantime, the Larsen family has had a very successful season as well.  The summer has been equally interesting.  We met up with several former students as well as had a great dinner with Maestro Leif Bjaland and Emil DeCou.  The musicians of the SWFLSO put on a fundraiser in the month of July.  Beth and I, as well as Sherrie Mangan and Darbi Elliott performed the quartet arrangement of Debussy's Clair de Lune.  Beth and I did a jazzy duet by Mike Mower, and Tom Kracmer, owner of Cadence Music and the tubist with the orchestra played a duet by Walter Hartley.  Beth and I also performed a trio with bassist Alex Albanese.

On November 15th, I will have the distinct honor and pleasure to perform Vivaldi's Concerto No. 3, the "Goldfinch" with Maestro Bjaland conducting.  I have written my own ornaments for the second movement and intend to write a special cadenza for the last movement, but at the moment, connecting my ideas has proved elusive.

Beth and I will be performing for the Florida Flute Convention on January 30th.  Chris Abell (of Abell flutes) and his wife and flutist Kate Steinbeck will be attending.  We are just setting up our program now.  Details to follow.