Lauridsen Weekend

I am finally back from the weekend at Asilomar. It was really fun, felt like a scientific meeting but for musicians, all to get together simply to create great music. We drove up on friday, stopped at Solvang on the way for lunch before making it to the Monterey Penisula just in time for dinner. the accomodations are nice as it is right next to the ocean, with Eric's one gripe that there is no television. But clearly he got over and survived a weekend with no TV.
I really enjoyed meeting the composer Morten Lauridsen. He's a total artist, and not pretentious in any way, and was kind enough to sign whatever we asked him to sign (so I am now the proud owner for an autograhed copy of Lux Aeterna.
The only bummer for this weekend was that Don had heart trouble and had to drop out. Apparently he had be conducting while having chest pains, and finally Sue insisted that he go to the ER where they determined that it is likely that he already had a minor heart attack while conducting the day before. He was transferred to the regional hospital in Salinas where they determined that he will have to undergo a triple bypass. I definitely hope that he will recover quickly as I have grown quite fond of the man over the years. Our assistant conductor Paul stepped in and did a great job with us for the second day. I think it was a great thing for the chorale and I hope we do it again sometime.