Winter weather has caused several disruptions across the region, but fortunately made little impact on A-State’s performance calendar. A small amount of unexpected sleet and snow actually began falling in the middle of Dr. Graiser’s faculty recital on January 24 (he claims that his performance of Stuart Saunders Smith’s “Three Winter Carols” for glockenspiel and voice was the culprit), which had no effect other than to make things a little slushy while unloading the truck afterwards. A more serious weather system came through the region a week later, forcing A-State to close from January 31-February 2. Fortunately, the ice was gone in time for the Wind Ensemble Concert on February 7. Despite multiple cancelled rehearsals, the Wind Ensemble (including new percussion section members Conner Hibbard, Parker Long, and Addison McIntosh) was able to draw on its collective experience and deliver an exemplary first performance of the semester. Even Dr. Graiser’s 4-year-old son William, who was attending his second-ever concert, was captivated from start to finish! Kudos to all involved with the successful event.
