A New Year

Well, another year has begun.  It's time to get used to putting 2008 on all correspondence, unless of course the computer does it for you.  Where would we be without the personal computer and cell phones and other such devices.  They help us keep in touch in a world that is almost always on the move.  I almost long for the slower paced life of even a decade ago, but that's probably just fatigue talking.  Being on the road is ultimately rewarding, but it does take it's toll on the body and mind.  For some it's simply being away from home and sleeping in your own bed.  For others it's leaving loved ones behind.  Yet, as I said, when you're on the stage and the music is playing and things are going well there is a feeling that is hard to match. Knowing that the music you're making is touching others and bringing a little joy into their lives is  a wonderful way to reenergize.

We recently finished a couple of performances with the Dayton Philharmonic conducted by Neal Gittleman.  Talk about being reinvigorated.  It's been a little over a decade since we last worked with them.  They now have a beautiful venue in which to perform, the Schuster Center. The staff were all so helpful and it was great to work with Neal again.  Incidentally, he was the first conductor we worked with on our very first show Radio Days back in 1994 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  It was that performance which launched us on a career of singing with symphonies ranging from local groups all the way to the National Symphony in Washington, D.C.

When I look back at all the places we have been and people we have met, it is truly amazing. We've logged over 300,000 miles traveling back and forth across this great country of ours and into Canada as well.  There is a lot of beauty in this nation and whenever we get the chance we take in the local sights.  Some are the tried and true such as Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon, but there are also many sights to see in what may be your own backyard.  It's easy to take for granted what you see every day, but when I stop and really look at where I grew up in northern Wisconsin, it can take my breath away.  The snow on the fir trees in winter, the colors in autumn, the lush greens of summer, the blossoms of spring heralding the end of what can sometimes seem like an endless winter.  They all add up to make it a beautiful place to live and come home to recharge after months of being on the road.

I know that it is tradition to look back at the end of a year and pay tribute to the many people we have lost, both personally and professionally.  For me, the passing of Pavarotti, Beverly Sills, Rostropovich, and recently Oscar Peterson touched me the most.  Great artists all, and only a handful of the talent that will be sorely missed.  But at the same time, the new year is an opportunity to look ahead with something of a clean slate.  There is no shortage of up and coming artists and while they may not exceed the accomplishments of those who have gone before, there is no doubt that they will take something from the ones that they loved and respected.

From a personal standpoint, I look forward to 2008 as a chance to make strides in both our future as a performing ensemble and as recording artists.  It's hard to balance the two.  I would love to be able to tell all those who ask that there are many new recordings in the wings, but the unfortunate truth is it takes time and money to do them, and even more time and money to do them well.  When we say we are working on a recording or other project, it's true.  It just takes more time than we would like to get something out the door and in to the hands of our fans.  As a side note, we are always open to suggestions from those who see us live or hear us on our recordings.  While they may not be able to be worked in, they are listened to and may inspire us in other ways.  So keep 'em coming!

Terrence Niska