Re: [Harp-L] Baroque or classical at SPAH

[Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

---*[Robert wrote:]---*
*I play classical Harmonica Concertos for a living with symphonies all over 
the world, and yet SPAH does not invite me to their annual events in spite 
of my willingness to go and to teach.*
 You have me confused, Robert. I had never heard of you until you were a 
featured performer at SPAH (Dallas 2003). In fact, that you were scheduled 
to perform and do what all you do was the only reason a friend of mine who 
tried his best to introduce me to you and your music drove 10 hours from 
"the Valley" (Texas) to attend the convention in Dallas for the brief time 
he was able to manage (in between his many other official and familial 
obligations which ordinarily would have prevented him from attending at 
all). You were my friend's only true draw to the convention, and he did not 
miss any part of your playing that he did not have to -- even in the blues 
jam. So, I guess I do not understand your assertion that SPAH does not 
invite you to their events. Had SPAH not invited you to perform in Dallas, 
my friend would have never known that you were going to be there and would 
not have attended, and I would not even know that you exist. You are not 
flying high on the classical music "radar" here in Texas, at least not yet. 
Given time, I expect you will. Mark O'Conner (fiddle/violin) and several 
others have managed to make it -- finally.
 I have only attended three conventions so far, though I have been a member 
much longer than that. However, there has been at least one classical show 
at every convention so far -- each time a different player. I have found it 
impressive that they have taken the care to have at least one classical 
player each year. I hope they continue the trend. Granted, I doubt we will 
ever be able to see any of the classical players in full session with a 
symphony, but we have seen wonderful shows each year with at least a piano 
for back-up -- which tells us more about the quality of the player than we 
might learn in a symphonic session (where some things may not stand out as 
well). However, a symphonic session would be very cool. Or, perhaps, some 
form of ensemble group utilizing harmonica?
 It occurs to me that we were lucky this year in the Americana seminar to 
have a few minutes with a real bluegrass band. Since we were in Tulsa Read's 
home town, his bluegrass band obliged his request to help him out at the 
seminar. Bluegrass is an ensemble music. It was nice to be able to 
demonstrate it as such, in reality. Had it not been for Tulsa and his hard 
work, sweat, worry, etc., however, a lot of what that seminar finally turned 
into being would not have developed.
 Perhaps, I am missing something in the conversation or at the convention, 
but I have seen nothing so far to suggest you are by any means unwanted at 
SPAH. I hope to see you there again sometime. In the meantime, keep up the 
good work with your seminars. A lot of what you need to teach would have 
difficulty fitting within a single hour or so seminar and deserves a more 
personal touch, like what you provide at your own seminars.
 Cara Cooke

 On 8/17/05, Robert Bonfiglio <bon@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> 
> 
> 
> I play classical Harmonica Concertos for a living with symphonies all
> over the world, and yet SPAH does not invite me to their annual events
> in spite of my willingness to go and to teach.
> 
> Toots and I talked about this years ago when I was playing the World
> Premiere of the Henry Cowell Harmonica Concerto with the Brooklyn
> Philharmonic and the West Coast Premiere with the Los Angeles
> Philharmonic and he was playing the Monterey Jazz Festival and still we
> were not invited to SPAH. 
> *... <The rest of the quoted message was deleted for brevity.>...
> *
> Harmonically yours,
> 
> Robert Bonfiglio
> http://www.robertbonfiglio.com
> 
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