Official information and photos etc. of the NSO's Residency can be found at the Kennedy Center's website HERE.

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Principal percussionist, Tony Ames waits ever-so-anxiously for the 3.5 hour plane trip to Minot, North Dakota.

Fortunately, there was an in-flight movie: "Catch Me If You Can" - quite funny!

20 minutes after landing in Minot, Paul, Pam and Eugene don't waste anytime; stocking up on much-needed "supplies."

Here is our wonderful view along Highway 83 (Broadway).

The weather is nice however; sunny and in the mid-60s.

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The NSO's first performance is this evening on the campus of Minot State University.

The program will include: Dvorak, Carnival Overture; Schikele, Symphony No. 1; Davids Canyon Sunrise, and Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 2.

Thursday, May 1, 2003

The orchestra boards the bus for a morning Young People's Concert at Minot State University. Ken Harbison (asst. principal percussion) is ready to go!

The NSO xylophone never made it to North Dakota! Tony Ames makes some quick adjustments to the xylophone provided by MSU. Tony endorses the use of gaffer's tape on almost anything!!

Our morning YPC performances are a success.

BACK on the bus again! We travel from Minot to Bismarck - about a 2 hour trip. Paul enjoys his free sandwich (box lunches) and we watch "Liar Liar" (Jim Carrey movie) - it definitely helps pass the time.

After the movie is over John listens to his favorite tunes.

Friday, May 2, 2003

John's room in the Bismarck Radisson overlooks our venue for this evening; the Bismarck Civic Center.

Saturday, May 3, 2003

Day Off for the NSO

John meets with several students during the Bismarck Music Festival on the campus of Bismarck State College.

[sorry - no photos today . . . stay tuned . . .]

Monday, May 5, 2003

I had a great time today getting together with the percussion students at Minnesota State University. A couple of students played some solo pieces and orchestral excerpts. I also explained some of my unusual solutions to certain technical issues that come up from time to time in the orchestra.

Tuesday, May 6, 2003

I gave another masterclass at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Several students performed works on snare drum and marimba. We also discussed some general timpani technique as well.

Wednesday, May 7, 2003

Marty Hackleman, principal horn with the NSO, grabs his warm up when he can. The NSO has EARLY Youth Concerts this morning beginning at 9:30 am.

Pam, Paul, Eugene, Carole, Mark and I cram into Mark's rental car. We're heading over to a nice restaurant in west Fargo.

Our dinner is wonderful. Swordfish, shrimp, lobster, scallops and Duck round out our entrees along with great wine and cheese.

This evening the Fargo movie theater has invited the NSO to a special screening of FARGO.

A full house enjoys the movie - "you're darn tootin!"

Back to NSO Tour page.