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The Music Man...
Jul. 24th, 2025 01:42 amThis week, the Centerville Pops is performing music from the musical The Music Man, along with other movie music. I don't have any major roles, but I'm in the chorus.
Back in 1980 (my junior year), we performed this musical in high school. But I wasn't in the chorus for that show. I was in the pit Orchestra. playing the "Reed 5" part -- baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, and bassoon. I had either Ben Boyar or Bernie Schneider playing the bari sax part, since I didn't play sax at the time.
We had professional Broadway musical scores we rented. We rented lighting from Unistage, and built own own scenery.
We didn't have a bassoon player, which made it tricky to play Marian the Librarian. It had a nice bassoon part, And I tried to sight transpose. Bassoon music is written in bass clef, and bass clarinet music is written in treble clef, and one octave (and one step) lower than written. I should have taken the time To transpose the music.
Yes, our teachers (Mrs. Green and Dr. Baudo) worked us hard, and rehearsals often went into the evening (10 pm), but we had fun doing it.
The student actor who played Professor Harold Hill went on to pursue a career in acting. His name is John Plumpis, and has his own page on IMDB.
Who else do I remember from the show? Marian was played by Amy Glazier. Marcellus was played by Leigh Koltun. The barbershop quartet had Thomas Dow and Bill Barlow.
Back in 1980 (my junior year), we performed this musical in high school. But I wasn't in the chorus for that show. I was in the pit Orchestra. playing the "Reed 5" part -- baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, and bassoon. I had either Ben Boyar or Bernie Schneider playing the bari sax part, since I didn't play sax at the time.
We had professional Broadway musical scores we rented. We rented lighting from Unistage, and built own own scenery.
We didn't have a bassoon player, which made it tricky to play Marian the Librarian. It had a nice bassoon part, And I tried to sight transpose. Bassoon music is written in bass clef, and bass clarinet music is written in treble clef, and one octave (and one step) lower than written. I should have taken the time To transpose the music.
Yes, our teachers (Mrs. Green and Dr. Baudo) worked us hard, and rehearsals often went into the evening (10 pm), but we had fun doing it.
The student actor who played Professor Harold Hill went on to pursue a career in acting. His name is John Plumpis, and has his own page on IMDB.
Who else do I remember from the show? Marian was played by Amy Glazier. Marcellus was played by Leigh Koltun. The barbershop quartet had Thomas Dow and Bill Barlow.
