tag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:/blogs/new-websiteNew Website!2024-01-09T09:00:00-05:00Todd Fulginiti Musicfalsetag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/73052502024-01-09T09:00:00-05:002024-01-09T09:00:02-05:00Release-stic Expectations: What Happens When We Release New Music<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/f03e558b5f1590347e4ddbc5cfa92f588a3b12ec/original/bzblog-how-to-build-a-website-for-your-recording-studio-main.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="628" /></p><p>Some people think that when a musician releases music, nothing but glory and treasure await. But most often, nothing could be further from the truth.<span> </span></p><p>Let me tell you what happens to the typical small time recording artist.<span> </span></p><p>First, you spend time and brain power planning out what you’re going to actually record; album concepts, song choices, personnel, etc..<span> </span></p><p>Then you spend more time money going into the studio and actually completing the recording.</p><p>After more time and more money; the editing, mixing and mastering, cover art, and everything else is complete- and your project is “done”.</p><p>This is when all the glory and riches start pouring in-right?</p><p>No.</p><p>Now it’s time to promote. And here’s where stuff gets really messed up.</p><p>It’s very hard to generate lots of followers on streaming services like Spotify, Apple, etc. You can pay services to help you do that, but the reality is that you’re almost certainly going to dump more money into it than you’re likely to get in return from streaming services. This is because the average stream pays bands/musicians .003 cents per stream. That’s right - .003 cents per stream!</p><p> I’m not saying it’s impossible to make money from streaming, but most of small-time/local/regional artists find it extraordinarily difficult. If you’re Taylor Swift and you get a zillion streams a day, you’ll do well; but if you’re a small time local artist, you’re pretty much going to get nothing.<span> </span>So, do you really want to spend money hiring companies to get your song on the radio and to get people to hear it on Spotify, when chances are you’re not going to recoup your costs unless you go viral?</p><p>It’s a tough one to answer.</p><p>Well, you may say, what about selling physical merchandise like CDs and vinyl?</p><p>It is true that this is probably the easiest way to make money off of your recorded music. But is it easy?</p><p>No.</p><p>CDs are relatively cheap to produce these days, but the problem is that most people don’t buy them anymore. On the upside, vinyl is becoming very popular again, but the downside is that getting your album pressed into vinyl is quite expensive. So the risk reward factor on physical products like this gets complicated.</p><p>You can make money off of them, but you have to first take the financial risk of dumping more money into the project. Then you have to be patient and hope that you will sell enough product to at least break even.<span> </span>This overlooks the fact that the money you may make on cd’s and vinyl really just serves to help pay off the bills you acquired in recording/promoting the project in the first place.</p><p>Not too long ago, musicians could sell their CDs and records at gigs and live shows. Of course, that can still happen now, but most people that come to live shows are already paying a monthly fee to a streaming service, so they might be much more motivated to stream your music rather than to buy things.</p><p>What about music file downloads? Research shows that most listeners don’t like doing that. But, if you’re downloading direct from the artist’s website, it is a good way to financially support them. But this doesn’t work if you use iTunes, Amazon or most other online services because they keep a large portion of the money, and the artist gets only a little. Band camp is a nice exception to this rule.</p><p>If you really want to support your favorite regional musician, the best thing to do is just to give them money – seriously. It sounds stupid, but the most convenient way to listen to their music is to stream it, which cost you almost nothing and pays them even less. So, stream the music all you like, but consider giving the artist a one time donation of $20. This is about what you’d pay if you were going to buy their album or CD, had they taken the risk of having them made.</p><p>Nowadays, most musicians make their money through live performances, but recording is still an important part of making music despite the terrible business conditions.<span> </span>But you can help! </p><p>The next time you add an album to your Spotify library, go to that musician’s profile page or their webpage, and send them a couple bucks. That way you get the music you want, and they get some financial compensation.</p><p>Releasing music is easier today than ever, but making money from it is just the opposite. Most musicians don’t expect to get rich or famous, but we all hope for enough support to keep us going.</p><p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/73037262023-11-14T15:56:04-05:002023-11-27T12:14:33-05:00New Release Fights Homelessness From Maui To Lancaster<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/d918f3438e56d49429adb9684c6aec15c949962c/original/mmmmm-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>It may be long past its time on the news cycle, but the catastrophic fire that burned the Hawaiian island of Maui happened just a few months ago- in August. You probably saw the news footage and the ruins of the popular town of Lahaina. ABC News recently <a class="no-pjax" href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/healing-thousands-families-beg-action-housing-after-maui/story?id=104582093#:~:text=More%20than%202%2C200%20structures%20were,of%20shelter%20after%20the%20wildfire." data-link-type="url">reported </a>that most of the damaged structures were affordable housing. After the fire, most of those people were being housed in temporary, emergency housing, but that will be coming to an end in the near future. Many of those effected will have great difficulty finding an affordable place to live in a state where housing costs are both notoriously expensive and on the rise.</p><p>Meanwhile, in our own backyard…</p><p>Dave Costarella is a hero for his work with Lancaster’s homeless population. He keeps them fed and warm over the winter and has even created jobs for some. He does this on his own, as a caring member of our community and not as an official nonprofit organization.</p><p>To make this possible, Dave needs help from others in the community, like us. Besides donations of clothing, he also needs money to purchase the food he serves to the people. In addition, he needs to buy gloves, socks, toiletries, and other daily staples for those on the street.</p><p>This year, the Fulginiti Family Band is raising money to support the unhoused both in Lancaster and in Maui, through the release of our 6th annual holiday single; Mele Kalikimaka. We offer it to you in hopes of receiving a donation, which we will split between Dave Costarella (Lancaster) and<a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.khako.org" data-link-type="url"> Ka Hale A Ke Ola (Maui).</a> If you wish, you can designate your donation for a specific group, but we hope to keep things pretty even.</p><p>This is the Fulginiti Family Band's 6th annual holiday release for charity and this year's arrangement is our most collaborative yet. The title was suggested by Ally and her boyfriend Alec, I arranged the percussion and horns, Bailey added the “party scene” and vocal arrangement (with Ally as lead), and Tom gave the ukuleles and guitar a more Hawaiian feel. The band consists of Bailey & Ally Fulginiti (daughters), Tom Herr (practically son-in-law) and myself (Dad). <span> </span></p><p>Mele Kalikimaka and our other holiday singles can be streamed wherever you get music, but streaming itself does not help us raise any money. Please consider a donation via our <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-music-aids-homeless-in-hawaii-at-home?member=30669395&sharetype=teams&utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&utm_medium=more&utm_source=customer" data-link-type="url">GoFundMe </a>drive or give directly at<a class="no-pjax" href="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-type="url"> toddfulginiti.com</a>. If we reach our fundraising goal of $3000, the people living on the streets of Maui and Lancaster will have a much better chance of surviving, moving inside, and improving their lives. </p><p>Visit the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.khako.org" data-link-type="url">Ka Hale A Ke Ola website here.</a> For more information on Dave Costarella and his work, <a class="no-pjax" href="www.facebook.com/dave.costarella" data-link-type="url">follow him on Facebook</a>.</p><p>I hope you’ll enjoy our music and donate to the cause.</p><p>Happy Holidays!</p><p> </p><p><br> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/72721392023-09-12T13:34:54-04:002023-09-26T21:48:36-04:00Why Did I Play That?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/a2781a6f05e8aac37c02d784dda7b662b7df6cfd/original/img-0687.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Ego and self-consciousness are tough things to deal with sometimes.</p><p>Bear with me through this story and I’ll try to explain.</p><p>In Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1, George Weasley suffers a serious wound to the head; specifically, he gets a hole in his ear.<span> </span>When his twin brother Fred arrives, George says something about feeling “saint-like”.<span> </span>Seeing his brother’s look of confusion, he clarifies by saying, “I’m holy!”</p><p>Happily surprised at his brother’s good humor, Fred responds by saying, “The whole wide world of ear-related humor; and you go for ‘I’m holy?!’ ”</p><p>In a few days, my new album will be released.<span> </span>I like the recording and am excited to share it with people, but I’m also battling some self-consciousness and ego issues.<span> </span>Sort of like George Weasley, I had the whole world of jazz music to explore and play with, and I went for… the stuff I played on the new album!?</p><p>Why?<span> </span>Why did I play like that?</p><p>Do I not like what I played?</p><p>Yes, for the most part, I do like it (at least as much as my hyper, self-critical self will allow).</p><p>But just as Fred’s question to his injured brother implies- couldn’t I have done something better?<span> </span>More challenging?<span> </span>Couldn’t I have taken more chances?<span> </span>Played more difficult tunes or more adventurous<span> </span>solos?</p><p>Yes, I could have.</p><p>So- why didn’t I?</p><p>Bear with me again as I answer that question the way I typically answer questions- with a story.</p><p>Years ago I was determined to be the best trumpet player I could be. I wanted to play the most challenging material I could.<span> </span>As I was learning jazz, that attitude led me to be-bop and other music with fast tempos and crazy, rapidly changing chord progressions.<span> </span>That was a big challenge! And with practice, I got a lot better at playing in those ways.<span> </span>Not world class awesome or anything close to it, but I could hold my own and was (usually) fit to be heard in public, at least in my hometown. <span> </span></p><p>But what I discovered after awhile was that I didn’t really love playing that way.<span> </span>I liked it, but it just didn’t seem like a natural fit for me.</p><p>I realized I was more into less.<span> </span>Fewer chords, fewer super-fast tempos, fewer notes in solos and melodic lines.<span> </span>Just less of everything I had been working on.</p><p>It took me awhile, but I finally realized that I didn’t have to play any certain way if I didn’t want to.<span> </span>There was no teacher in front of me demanding that I progress on to the next level of difficulty.<span> </span>I realized that I could just play the way I liked.<span> </span>More relaxed.<span> </span>Not worried about playing something technically excellent, but instead just trying to play something that sounded good and felt good to me at the time.</p><p>So that’s what I did on the new Jazz On King album.<span> </span>I played in the style I like best, on songs I thought were fun to play, and I played what I felt at the time we were recording.<span> </span>Like every jazz player, if I were to do it all again today, it would turn out differently- that’s part of the beauty of jazz.</p><p>So I guess I’m writing this post to justify myself to myself.<span> </span>Maybe I’m reinforcing myself against those who may say my album is weak, doesn’t hit hard, doesn’t show enough chops or harmonic adventure, doesn’t contain especially challenging songs.</p><p>All of those things may be true.<span> </span>But the one thing I can say for myself is that I played what came naturally on songs I enjoy playing.<span> </span>At the end of the day, I think that’s what jazz musicians are supposed to do.</p><p>I may have to just remind myself a few more times.</p><p><i>Jazz On King Vol. 1 by Todd Fulginiti Trio is available September 22 on major streaming platforms.<span> </span></i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://show.co/f9mVgXW" data-link-type="url"><i>Pre-save it on Spotify here.</i></a><i><span> </span>You can also listen to it at </i><a class="no-pjax" href="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-type="url"><i>www.toddfulginiti.com</i></a></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/f59b70111ea9ffdf26a4d56332138103129f20c8/original/img-0624.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/72721022023-09-12T11:48:36-04:002023-09-18T17:23:23-04:00New Release! Jazz On King Vol. 1 by Todd Fulginiti Trio<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/f59b70111ea9ffdf26a4d56332138103129f20c8/original/img-0624.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>I’m very happy to announce the release of my new album, Jazz On King Vol. 1. The music will be available on September 22, and features Dave Winter (keys), Dave Santana (drums), and Bailey Fulginiti (as guest vocalist on several tracks).</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://show.co/f9mVgXW" data-link-type="url">Presave it on Spotify here.</a> You can also preview the music<a class="no-pjax" href="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-type="url"> here.</a></p><p>Jazz On King Vol. 1 is a set of tunes inspired by the twice-monthly Jazz On King gigs I’ve been playing for the past 2 years at Tellus 360 in Lancaster.<span> </span>Bill Speakman, of Tellus, wanted to feature jazz at the venue but from a slightly different angle.<span> </span>Rather than the standards-heavy sets heard at restaurants, or the often intense playing heard in more serious jazz clubs, Bill wanted the music to conjure the feeling of being inside a <a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.shag.com" data-link-type="url">Josh Agle painting (aka Shag)</a>, or perhaps at a Mod party in late 1950’s London.</p><p>We worked on the repertoire list together and came up with what we think is a relaxing, fun, groovy and sometimes cinematic playlist that captures the vibe Bill was looking for and the energy we both love.</p><p>Jazz On King may seem like a strange name for a jazz night and an album, but Tellus is located on King Street in Lancaster, thus the name.</p><p>This is a digital only release for now.<span> </span>Physical products, such as vinyl records and cd’s, are difficult these days. Vinyl is expensive to produce.<span> </span>Cd’s are cheaper but most people aren’t buying them anymore.<span> </span>Nevertheless, I hope to have info soon about possibly getting the album pressed in some format.</p><p>Things started out as just a casual recording session. I wanted to record the group just so we had a record (no pun intended) of what we sounded like; something we could listen to for our own enjoyment when the gig eventually ends.<span> </span>It was only after we had the recording mostly done that I started thinking about finishing the whole thing and releasing it. <span> </span></p><p>My daughter Ally created an album cover that I think really captures the vibe of the music.<span> </span>The recording was done by engineer Steve Puffer at Parallel Productions in Willow Street, PA; and mixed by Thomas Blondet of Rhythm & Culture Records in Washington DC. I got some great production help from Bill Speakman as well.<span> </span>Thanks to everyone for their contributions- and especially to Dave Winter, Dave Santana and Bailey Fulginiti for their great playing & singing.</p><p>Jazz On King is intended to be a fun and relaxing record.<span> </span>I hope you’ll give it a listen.</p><p>For more info & upcoming events, visit <a class="no-pjax" href="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-type="url">www.toddfulginiti.com</a></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/71703142023-03-13T11:15:41-04:002023-03-13T11:50:45-04:00Life Between The Notes: Getting To Know Your Musical Neighbors<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/280647/e7c1f23d74afe6feb06c4822831230840ba34cad/original/lbtn2-20220427161529-sdazp6.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>So many times as musicians, we show up to the gig, chat briefly with the other players, play the music, and then go home. We don't always get a chance to really talk with or our fellow musicians, even though we often count them as friends. We probably know much more about thier playing style than we do about them personally. This is a shame. Most people have an interesting life story and of course it's always good to get to know people on a more personal level (ok, maybe not always, but at least most of the time). </p><p>Kirstin Myers and Morgann Elise Parish, local musicians turned podcasters, are helping to fix this problem and bring the musical community closer together through their <a class="no-pjax" href="https://lifebetweenthenotes.podbean.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">“Life Between The Notes”</a> podcast.</p><p>They've interviewed over a dozen musicians so far and new episodes are released regularly. Since the hosts are invloved in the southcentral PA music scene, most of the musicians they interview are from that area as well, and are usually people that other area players have worked with or heard of before.</p><p>I had the opportunity to be featured on a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://lifebetweenthenotes.podbean.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">recent episode of Life Between The Notes</a> and really enjoyed the conversation with Kirstin & Morgann. </p><p>Life Between The Notes is available on most major podcasting platforms, but <a class="no-pjax" href="https://lifebetweenthenotes.podbean.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">here is a link to thier Podbean page</a>. </p><p>We can usually learn something from listening to a person's story, so I encourage you to give <a class="no-pjax" href="https://lifebetweenthenotes.podbean.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Life Between The Notes </a>a chance, whether you're a musician yourself or not.</p><p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/71500722023-02-07T13:34:47-05:002023-02-07T13:34:47-05:00January Give Back: Freezin' For A Reason with Delaware Special Olympics' Polar Bear Plunge<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/17a710d842467230190c07b516e777fbcee6233f/original/329012648-699509705150823-6206404036483762620-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Freezin' for a reason. It's a great catch-phrase but what does it mean? Who's freezing and what for? </p>
<p>In Delaware each February, the reason is to support the <a contents="Delaware Special Olympics." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sode.org" target="_blank">Delaware Special Olympics.</a> Who's freezing is anybody brave enough to take a dip in the ocean- after paying the registration fee. </p>
<p>That's right, you have to pay for the opportunity to freeze you a$$ off. </p>
<p>But all the money goes to the Special Olympics, which makes it all worthwhile. </p>
<p>I don't speak from experience on this, but only as an observer. We go to Rehoboth Beach every year for <a contents="Polar Bear Plunge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://plungede.org" target="_blank">Polar Bear Plunge</a> weekend and each year they raise hundreds thousands of dollars (sometimes millions of dollars) through this event. It's a fun atmosphere to be around. </p>
<p>I contribute by running the Run To The Plunge 5k race that occurs the day prior to the plunge, Occasionally my wife and/or daughter will get crazy and take the plunge, as my wife did this past weekend. We were milling around the event area, pre-plunge. She got hyped up due to the good vibes and warmer-than-normal temperatures, and ended up registering last minute. Still, the air as 48 degrees and the water 42. She bought a pair of shorts, slapped them on and hit the sand. Booyah!</p>
<p>This month, <a contents="Todd Fulginiti Music's 5% GiveBack" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://toddfulginiti.com/about" target="_blank">Todd Fulginiti Music's 5% GiveBack</a> goes to the Delaware Special Olympics. Thanks to them and their crew for everything they do, and to everyone who helped their cause by taking the Polar Bear Plunge this weekend.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/70987782022-11-29T08:00:00-05:002022-11-29T08:00:01-05:00Snowfall: New Fulginiti Family Band Release Aids Lancaster's Homeless<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/a65c0b1a432207308f90b1bdf463d5685a8791c9/original/screen-shot-2022-11-09-at-2-27-32-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />You might see them as you drive or walk through Binns Park in Lancaster (PA). They're often cold and hungry, and they could use some help. They are the part of Lancaster' homeless population. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, the help that's offered through local agencies and shelters doesn't get to them. That's where <a contents='Dave Costarella and his "My People On The Streets"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dcandco.net/streetproject.htm" target="_blank">Dave Costarella and his "My People On The Streets"</a> project comes in. </p>
<p>Dave cares for the people who remain on the street. He's not part of an organization or group, he's literally a community super hero; an unaffiliated do-gooder trying to keep people alive and make their lives better. </p>
<p>Dave does most of this on his own, but he does need help. Each fall/winter, he collects donations of clothing, plus money to buy the food he makes and distributes to his people. Sometimes he needs to buy the clothing he hands out. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/5f217af56950cbf4e6559af89557b8af4c6f0f0a/original/1239860-552613758125581-1782340157-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>All of this takes time and money. </p>
<p>In order to support his work and build community in our city, <a contents="The Fulginiti Family Band " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://toddfulginiti.com/fulginiti-family-band-homemade-stylings" target="_blank">The Fulginiti Family Band </a>is donating all proceeds from our new holiday single to Dave Costarella for "My People On The Streets". </p>
<p>Our new single, Snowfall, is a bossa nova-influenced cover of Claude & Ruth Thornhill's somewhat lesser-known classic song from 1941. It's been recorded by many over the years, including Tony Bennet, Ramsey Lewis and The Monkees. </p>
<p>Our version features Bailey & Ally Fulginiti in some tight vocal harmonies, with Todd Fulginiti and Tom Herr setting the scene with percussion, guitar, bass and flugelhorn. </p>
<p>This is Fulginiti Family Band's 5th consecutive, holiday fund-raising release, and in that time we've raised over $4,000 for causes both local and national. </p>
<p>Snowfall releases on December 1, 2022 and will be streamable on all major platforms. <a contents="Downloads are available for a donation at www.toddfulginiti.com," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com" target="_blank">Downloads are available for a donation at www.toddfulginiti.com,</a> <a contents="www.baileyfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.baileyfulginiti.com" target="_blank">www.baileyfulginiti.com</a>, and in the near future on <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a>. </p>
<p>All money received from Snowfall will be given to "My People On The Streets". </p>
<p>We hope you'll help us reach our fundraising goal of $2,000 while enjoying Fulginiti Family Band's latest holiday music.</p>
<p><a contents="LISTEN TO SNOWFALL HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#e74c3c;">LISTEN TO SNOWFALL HERE</span></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/50df3fcdc22d03a0a306dfd7db8634e84837c149/original/img-8042.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/71035632022-11-16T12:19:07-05:002022-11-16T12:19:08-05:00October Give Back: Farm Sanctuary<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/a28352b38a25156bef596c86bc662b7f8934a946/original/turkey-hero-aat-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Each month I donate 5% of my earnings from Todd Fulginiti Music to a non-profit group that's doing good things in my local area or elsewhere in the world. This month, the recipient is the Farm Sanctuary. <a contents="www.farmsanctuary.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.farmsanctuary.org" target="_blank">www.farmsanctuary.org</a></p>
<p>This group rescues farm animals from abusive conditions. These creatures often live a life of misery and suffering before they end up as our food, and laws protecting them can be few and weak. The Farm Sanctuary rescues as many animals as they can, and prolongs their life by finding them homes as companions or pets. </p>
<p>There's a musical connection to this group as well. Lancaster bassist Keith Mohler, who passed in 2014, was a major force for animal welfare in Pennsylvania and for the creation of Farm Sanctuary. Donations to Farm Sanctuary not only reduce animal suffering, they also pay tribute to Keith and his work. </p>
<p><a contents="Read more about Keith Mohler's story here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.animalsoffarmsanctuary.com/post/175155753686/farm-sanctuary-remembers-keith-mohler-a-true" target="_blank">Read more about Keith Mohler's story here</a>. </p>
<p>To make a donation to Farm Sanctuary, <a contents="visit their website." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.farmsanctuary.org/giving/" target="_blank">visit their website.</a></p>
<p>Thanks to Lancaster musician and bassist Bruce Campbell for bringing Farm Sanctuary to my attention. </p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/70785972022-10-10T17:15:42-04:002022-10-10T17:19:49-04:00September Give Back: Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/fe3e146d3ae2372d2fab79ab7f95a03bb88a5650/original/talitus-400x400.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Each month I donate 5% of my earnings from Todd Fulginiti Music to a non-profit group that's doing good things in my local area or elsewhere in the world. This month, the recipient is the Lower Susqhuehanna Riverkeeper Association. </p>
<p>I found out about the Riverkeeper and their great work a few weeks ago when I played for one of their fund-raising events. Based in York County, PA, the group monitors the condition of the Susquehanna River in our local area including water quality, pollution levels and the health of ecosystems. They work for a clean and protected river both on the water and in the courtroom. </p>
<p>I am excited, inspired and impressed with the goals and values of the Riverkeeper and their volunteers. The Susquehanna River is critically important to our area for many reasons, and it's a major contributor to the Chesapeake Bay, which also faces environmental challenges. A healthy Susquehanna River helps create a healthy Chesapeake Bay. </p>
<p>For more information on the Lower Susqhehanna Riverkeeper Association, their excellent work, and how you can get involved, visit their website at: <a contents="https://lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org">https://lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org</a></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/70695742022-09-27T12:04:40-04:002022-10-01T00:33:32-04:00Why Do Musicians Get Paid So Much?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/736290ab6018dbe0053c4757fa559f553e08ff1c/original/how-to-make-money-from-your-music.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />Before I answer, let's take a moment to recognize the fact that too often, musicians actually do not get paid so much. And part of the reason for that may be a lack of understanding about what's really involved in putting on a musical performance; even a low-key, local affair without fancy sound and lighting equipment. </p>
<p>But let's take the positive angle- so why do musicians get paid so much? After all we're only working a few hours a day anyway, and when we are working, we're just on stage having fun with our friends, right? Uh- no.</p>
<p>Well, yes- it is fun to be on stage making music with people you like, but there's much more to it than that. </p>
<p>My friend and fellow trumpet player, Robin Church, shot a video of a recent gig we played together with The Maxwell Project. It's intended to answer the question of why musicians get paid so much. It's a condensed version of our gig from loading in at the venue to arriving back home after the gig.</p>
<p>If you're looking for a better understanding of what musician life is like, take a look. Feel free to share it as well, either via this post or the Youtube link.</p>
<p>Thanks to Robin for helping to raise awareness and to you for reading/viewing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZVebMLrOvE4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZVebMLrOvE4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZVebMLrOvE4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/70586932022-09-12T16:56:34-04:002022-09-14T09:14:56-04:00Freelance 101 for Musicians<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/abc293eda01e22b68099cc2203bdeaeb4bebcfaa/original/90.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Often times, the hardest part about being a musician is just getting a gig. On top of that, some people make it even harder on themselves by not knowing how to act when they do get a gig. There's a big difference between putting on your own personal "rock star" show (at your own gig), versus being a good, freelance sideman (on somebody else's gig). </p>
<p>Here's my advice on how to make yourself an appealing option in the freelance musician world. Looking at this list you may notice that most of the items do not have to do with your musical abilities. They’re instead about how you act as a person. In other words, they refer to what’s known as Rule #1: Don't Be An Asshole. </p>
<p>More specifically: </p>
<p><strong>1. Always say thank you when someone offers you a gig. </strong><br>They could have asked anybody, but they chose you. </p>
<p><strong>2. Do not act like you’re doing the leader a favor by accepting their gig. </strong><br>Remember, they could have asked somebody else, and maybe they did. Don’t assume you’re their first call. </p>
<p><strong>3. Keep in mind, your job as a freelance player is to do your best to make the gig a success for the band/leader you’re working for. </strong><br>Therefore do not: </p>
<p> a) make it about you </p>
<p> b) overplay, grandstand or flash chops tastelessly </p>
<p> c) try to call tunes or influence the set list unless asked </p>
<p> d) attempt to speak for the band (refer all questions/requests from audiences/clients to the band leader.</p>
<p><strong>4. Show up on time! </strong><br>Leaders have enough on their mind without having to worry about or babysit you. </p>
<p><strong>5. Dress exactly as the leader asked you to. </strong><br>Whether it's a black suit, Hawaiian shirt or whatever, there's probably a good reason why the leader asks you to dress a certain way (themed event, band style...). <em>See 3a above. </em></p>
<p><strong>6. Come to the gig prepared! </strong><br>Know your songs and be able to play your parts. This seems like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised. </p>
<p><strong>7. Do not in any way cause stress or drama to the band members or leader. </strong><br>In sports they have a term to describe a player who ruins the chemistry and vibes of the group- "locker room cancer". Don't be one of them. </p>
<p><strong>8. Have fun! </strong><br>You're just playing music, not doing brain surgery. Relax, enjoy the gig, and hopefully you'll be helping others and (the audience) do the same. </p>
<p><strong>9. Be easy to get along with and enjoyable to be around. </strong><br>Roll with the punches. See #7 </p>
<p><strong>10. In case you're thinking…. </strong></p>
<p>But I like to do things differently. </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares. </em></p>
<p>I think my way is better… </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I'm a better musician than these people. </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I’ve played with great musicians in my career like… </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I don’t like the songs we’re doing </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I’m in a bad mood tonight because… </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I have more fans and social media followers than this group. </p>
<p><em>Nobody cares </em></p>
<p>I’m late because… </p>
<p><em>Somebody might actually care on this one, but you’d better have a good reason! </em></p>
<p><strong>Once again, your job is to make sure the gig is a big success from the band/leader’s point of view, not yours. </strong>That’s it! </p>
<p>Know where your lane is and stay in it. </p>
<p>Good luck! May your phone blow-up and your calendar be full.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/69361522022-03-31T18:21:16-04:002022-08-03T21:21:31-04:00New Release To Aid Ukraine<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/f391bf2eb5082df7b3be1cf98afc89f57bb92501/original/icedlemondrop-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Sometimes it's hard to figure out what you can do to help, especially when the problems are big and out of our control. Watching the news from Ukraine these past few weeks, the question of "how do I help" keeps resurfacing, but the answers don't come any easier. </p>
<p>The humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian attack is getting worse by the day. We see more and more headlines about civilians being hit, even targeted as they attempt to flee the area or take shelter and wait things out. </p>
<p>How can I respond? </p>
<p>Last week, a few musician friends and I decided to respond in the way that's most natural for us- making music. Dave Santana, Dave Sheaffer, Dave Winter and I recorded a cover of one of our favorite songs- Fragile, by Sting. The cover art was done by <a contents="Sharon Cummings" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sharoncummings.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Sharon Cummings</a>. For years, I've ended every jazz gig with that song but for whatever reason, let the tradition slide this past year- until now. </p>
<p>The words always seem appropriate, but they ring true even more as we watch Ukrainian suffering on TV. We hope the music will serve as a reminder of what's going on, and will inspire listeners to donate what they can to humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine or other parts of the world. </p>
<p>We aren't partial any specific aid organization, but here are a few with high effectiveness ratings: </p>
<p><a contents="Global Giving" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.globalgiving.org" target="_blank">Global Giving</a> </p>
<p><a contents="UNICEF&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.unicef.org" target="_blank">UNICEF </a></p>
<p><a contents="Doctors Without Borders&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org" target="_blank">Doctors Without Borders </a></p>
<p><a contents="The Red Cross&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.icrc.org" target="_blank">The Red Cross </a></p>
<p><a contents="Save The Children&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.savethechirldren.org" target="_blank">Save The Children </a></p>
<p><a contents="World Central Kitchen&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wck.org" target="_blank">World Central Kitchen </a></p>
<p>Fragile is available on all major streaming platforms. Or you can download it for a donation or for free at <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com" target="_blank">www.toddfulginiti.com</a>. Any funds received via my website will be given to <a contents="Global Giving" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.globalgiving.org" target="_blank">Global Giving</a>. </p>
<p>We aren't as powerless as we may feel, especially if we work together. Let's use whatever skills we have to do what we can to help end the suffering.</p>4:13Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/69327322022-03-26T13:10:53-04:002022-04-06T15:34:59-04:00Jazz Appreciation Month Special Events<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/4304e085cd36cfd8dd38686e8a25439d65b0eb40/original/jam-horizontal.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>The word "jam" has always had a musical connotation, but at this time of year it also serves as an acronym. April is <a contents="Jazz Appreciation Month " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_Appreciation_Month">Jazz Appreciation Month </a>(JAM), and to help celebrate it, we've lined up a special series of shows at Tellus 360 in Lancaster. </p>
<p>Each Thursday in April, homage will be paid to a different style of jazz and will feature excellent musicians from the Lancaster and Philadelphia areas. The April events are an extension of the <a contents="Jazz On King series, which features Todd Fulginiti Trio every other Thursday. &nbsp;Here is the April line-up:&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tellus360.com/event/jazz-on-king/2021-07-08/">Jazz On King series, which features Todd Fulginiti Trio every other Thursday.</a> Here is the April line-up: </p>
<p><strong><a contents="April 7 Dave Wilson Group (modern jazz)&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.davewilsonmusic.org">April 7 Dave Wilson Group (modern jazz) </a></strong><br>CD Release show featuring Stretching Supreme, a tribute to the great tenor saxophonist John Coltrane. With Dave on tenor and soprano saxophone, Kirk Reese-Piano, Tony Marino-Bass, and Dan Monaghan-drums; all of whom appear on the recording. </p>
<p><a contents="April 14 Todd Fulginiti Quartet with special guest Bailey Fulginiti (American Songbook)&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.baileyfulginiti.com"><strong>April 14 Todd Fulginiti Quartet with special guest Bailey Fulginiti (American Songbook) </strong></a><br>These timeless, well known songs are part of the foundation of jazz and have been performed by artists from Ella Fitzgerald to Rod Stewart. </p>
<p><strong>April 21 The Tailgaters (traditional jazz) </strong><br>Also known as New Orleans style jazz, the upbeat style and energy of this music is infectious. The most notable player of this style is Louis Armstrong. </p>
<p><strong><a contents="April 28- Prime Example (jazz fusion)&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuywfXUiUPc&list=PL8SdtORuoL8hxc7kJxMJCY2jMDXffxqd1&index=9">April 28- Prime Example (jazz fusion) </a></strong><br>Featuring modern and popular musical elements mixed with traditional jazz concepts, jazz fusion is a wide ranging style defined by artists like Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, The Crusaders and many others. </p>
<p>These performances are made possible through a grant from the <a contents="Music Performance Trust Fund," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://musicpf.org">Music Performance Trust Fund,</a> obtained by the <a contents="Lancaster/York Musicians Union (Local 294 American Federation of Musicians)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lancasteryorkmusicians.org">Lancaster/York Musicians Union (Local 294 American Federation of Musicians)</a>. </p>
<p>All take place at <a contents="Tellus 360 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.tellus360.com">Tellus 360 </a>in Lancaster and begin at 7pm. All are free- there is no cover charge. </p>
<p>Attached is a poster you can share with jazz-loving friends. Let's fill the room and have a good time J.A.M.ing in April. </p>
<p>See you there!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/6f5022c304e6aef316ba6fd5dc5dbd80ffa64cd7/original/dark-orange-illustration-jazz-poster-9-copy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/69250062022-03-17T16:17:27-04:002022-03-17T19:42:17-04:00We're Pledging Monthly Donations To The Ocean Cleanup Project<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/7b4f177efdcbf4dfe054bc5d59916a4fd3d47cd8/original/theoceancleanup-header-768x432.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Years ago, my college trumpet professor asked me to make a list of my goals. He meant trumpet/musical goals, but as I started the list, it expanded from trumpet into the rest of life. When the list was complete, it included bigger things like travel destinations and owning a beach house (not yet achieved). It even expanded into really big things that seemed out of my control, like cleaning up the plastic mess in the ocean.</p>
<p>It was around 1990 and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch was new. Thirty plus years later, that giant wad of oceanic waste is roughly the size of Texas. It's too bad we didn't fix the mess when it was smaller. Nevertheless, here we are, and my goal of cleaning it up remains. The good news is that helping is not as "out of reach" as it might seem.</p>
<p>Even though I'm not a scientist or an engineer, I can still help . My plan of attack is twofold. First, is to aid the scientists and engineers in their cleanup/preservation work. Second, is to tighten up my "plastic reduction game", reducing inflow into the oceans and waterways.</p>
<p>To address the science & engineering angle, I've pledged to donate 5% of my monthly profits from Todd Fulginiti Music to a non-profit called The Ocean Cleanup. It's an ambitious organization from The Netherlands that aims to rid the ocean of plastic by mid-century. In order to do so on the scale they envision, the group has to create the technology it needs and then scale it to size. It's tough, but they are making progress. I chose them over other groups because I like that they are "swinging for the fences" and thinking in big, bold terms. That takes vision, courage, and money.</p>
<p>With plastic reduction, I'm avoiding the use of plastic products and packaging; and I'm shunning single use plastics like cups, utensils, straws, etc. It's not very difficult to do once you get started.</p>
<p>More and more companies today are using their work and profits to shape a better world. I respect and believe in that. As a nature-lover who's very concerned about climate change, I want to be part of making things better. This is my attempt.</p>
<p>Every time you hire me or one of my groups, you'll be indirectly contributing to the cleaning up of our oceans.</p>
<p>To learn more about <a contents="The Ocean Cleanup" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theoceancleanup.com" target="_blank">The Ocean Cleanup</a> and how you can help, <a contents="visit their website " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theoceancleanup.com" target="_blank">visit their website </a>or <a contents="watch this video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLcnJEMnlTs" target="_blank">watch this video</a>.</p>
<p>For more of my <a contents="thoughts on life " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fiveoclockshadow.life/category/lifestyle/" target="_blank">thoughts on life </a>and <a contents="sustainable living" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fiveoclockshadow.life/category/rebearth/" target="_blank">sustainable living</a>, visit <a contents="www.fiveoclockshadow.life" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fiveoclockshadow.life/category/rebearth/" target="_blank">www.fiveoclockshadow.life</a></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/69179102022-03-09T11:20:13-05:002022-05-11T01:11:36-04:00Scalia/Ginsburg: A Really Interesting New Opera Comes To Lancaster This Weekend<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/f718a12365eb40c92014d6a62d50d03f339fef4f/original/s-g-art-website-1b-2048x1666.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Scalia/Ginsburg? That's really the name of it? Sounds weird. </p>
<p>Those were my initials thoughts after being asked to play in the orchestra for <a contents="Penn Square Music Festival's " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pennsquaremusicfestival.com">Penn Square Music Festival's </a>upcoming production. But as rehearsals started and I learned more about the music, the composer, and the two justices- I discovered that the whole thing is actually very cool. </p>
<p>Scalia/Ginsburg is an opera written by <a contents="Derek Wang" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.derekwang.com">Derek Wang </a>in 2015 about the friendship of United States Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader-Ginsburg. Despite disagreeing with each other on most issues, the two were very good friends and avid opera fans. </p>
<p>Scalia/Ginsburg has a cast of only three; the two judges and a narrator. As for the music, composer Derrick Wang used a technique he calls "operatic precedent", where his music and lyrics constantly cite well-known tunes and lyrics from other operas, mimicking the way a judge cites legal precedent in their decisions. But you don't need to be an opera nerd and get all the references to enjoy the show. It's easy to listen to and has several funny moments as well. </p>
<p>Wang completed the piece in 2015, but because of the storyline, choose to rewrite the ending about a year later when JustIce Scalia died. Ginsburg passed in 2020, but there has not been a second rewrite yet. </p>
<p>I sit under the stage in the orchestra pit with the rest of the players, but the sounds that travel down from the stage are outstanding. The conductor is Brian DeMaris, who grew up in the Lancaster area and is now the Artistic Director of Musical Theater and Opera at Arizona State University. Unfortunately, I don't have any information on the singers yet, other than to say that they sound great! </p>
<p>Performances are taking place in the brand new Gardner Theater at Lancaster Country Day School- a beautiful venue and the perfect place for a show like this. </p>
<p>Scalia/Ginsburg looks to be an excellent production. If you're free this Friday night or Sunday afternoon- I strongly recommend attending, even if you don't think opera is your thing. </p>
<p>For more information and tickets, visit the Penn Square Music Festival website at: </p>
<p><a contents="https://pennsquaremusicfestival.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="Scalia/Ginsburg?%20%20That's%20really%20the%20name%20of%20it?%20%20Sounds%20weird.%20%20%20%20Those%20were%20my%20initials%20thoughts%20after%20being%20asked%20to%20play%20in%20the%20orchestra%20for%20Penn%20Square%20Music%20Festival's%20upcoming%20production.%20%20But%20as%20rehearsals%20started%20and%20I%20learned%20more%20about%20the%20music,%20the%20composer,%20and%20the%20two%20justices-%20I%20discovered%20that%20the%20whole%20thing%20is%20actually%20very%20cool.%20%20Scalia/Ginsburg%20is%20an%20opera%20written%20by%20Derek%20Wang%20in%202015%20about%20the%20friendship%20of%20United%20States%20Supreme%20Court%20Justices%20Antonin%20Scalia%20and%20Ruth%20Bader-Ginsburg.%20%20Despite%20disagreeing%20with%20each%20other%20on%20most%20issues,%20the%20two%20were%20very%20good%20friends%20and%20avid%20opera%20fans.%20%20Scalia/Ginsburg%20has%20a%20cast%20of%20only%20three;%20the%20two%20judges%20and%20a%20narrator.%20As%20for%20the%20music,%20composer%20Derrick%20Wang%20used%20a%20technique%20he%20calls%20%22operatic%20precedent%22,%20where%20his%20music%20and%20lyrics%20constantly%20cite%20well-known%20tunes%20and%20lyrics%20from%20other%20operas,%20mimicking%20the%20way%20a%20judge%20cites%20legal%20precedent%20in%20their%20decisions.%20%20But%20you%20don't%20need%20to%20be%20an%20opera%20nerd%20and%20get%20all%20the%20references%20to%20enjoy%20the%20show.%20%20It's%20easy%20to%20listen%20to%20and%20has%20several%20funny%20moments%20as%20well.%20%20Wang%20completed%20the%20piece%20in%202015,%20but%20because%20of%20the%20storyline,%20choose%20to%20rewrite%20the%20ending%20about%20a%20year%20later%20when%20JustIce%20Scalia%20died.%20%20Ginsburg%20passed%20in%202020,%20but%20there%20has%20not%20been%20a%20second%20re-write%20yet.%20%20I%20sit%20under%20the%20stage%20in%20the%20orchestra%20pit%20with%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20players,%20but%20the%20sounds%20that%20travel%20down%20from%20the%20stage%20sound%20outstanding.%20%20The%20conductor%20is%20Brian%20DeMaris,%20who%20grew%20up%20in%20the%20Lancaster%20area%20and%20is%20now%20the%20Artistic%20Director%20of%20Musical%20Theater%20and%20Opera%20at%20Arizona%20State%20University.%20Unfortunately,%20I%20don't%20have%20any%20information%20on%20the%20singers%20yet,%20other%20than%20to%20say%20that%20they%20sound%20great!%20%20Performances%20are%20taking%20place%20in%20the%20brand%20new%20Gardner%20Theater%20at%20Lancaster%20Country%20Day%20School-%20a%20beautiful%20venue%20and%20the%20perfect%20place%20for%20a%20show%20like%20this.%20%20Scalia/Ginsburg%20looks%20to%20be%20an%20excellent%20production.%20If%20you're%20free%20this%20Friday%20night%20or%20Sunday%20afternoon-%20I%20strongly%20recommend%20attending,%20even%20if%20you%20don't%20think%20opera%20is%20your%20thing.%20%20For%20more%20information%20and%20tickets,%20visit%20the%20Penn%20Square%20Music%20Festival%20website%20at:%20%20https://pennsquaremusicfestival.com">https://pennsquaremusicfestival.com</a></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/68629872022-01-08T16:04:05-05:002022-01-15T13:21:53-05:00Why I'm Spending Another Year As A Musician<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/1312ed49ca4892ca921df72b149632a233ea6a03/original/img-4676.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>January is traditionally a slow month for me musically. But it's ok. In a way I prefer it. December is usually busy to the point of being barely sustainable. The income is nice, but so is the time off in January. I do love December, but when I get really busy, I tend to lose sight of some things. I'm guessing this happens to a lot of us. For me, a quiet January allows time to reflect and reconnect with big picture questions like "what am I doing?" and "why do I do it?" </p>
<p>Why do I make music? Partly for the standard musician reasons like 1) I'm incapable of not doing it and 2) so I can express my creative self. But the other, and most important reason I do it is because I want to help people. I want the music I make to improve life for those that hear it. </p>
<p>Maybe it helps them get loose and dance for a few hours - like a mini vacation from a stressful life. Maybe it helps them connect with themselves, worship, pray or meditate. Maybe it helps them heal from some type of emotional or physical wound. Perhaps it enables a trip down memory lane. Maybe it gives a new angle or thought from which they can grow. </p>
<p>When music connects with the listener there are so many ways it can impact them. I believe my job as a musician is to make these impacts as positive and as powerful as I can, each and every time out. I don't have a million listeners on Spotify and I don't have any sold out stadium shows booked. Still, I strive to make the most of each venue and audience I come across. </p>
<p>Like any performer, I like applause and to be appreciated. This comes not from a desire for personal glory, but from a desire to know that I've done my job well, and that the music is having some positive effect on the listener. </p>
<p>I spent 25 years as public school teacher before retiring to do music full time. My goal in the classroom was essentially the same as it is for me now on stage. I want to help people be their best. Obviously the details of helping were different in the classroom than they are now, but the goal remains.</p>
<p>How can I use my skills and aptitudes to help make the world a better place? I think about that often. It's been that way since I was kid (except for the times I was fixated on playing for the Yankees or the Eagles). I'm constantly wondering if I'm doing the right things, and in a way that satisfies me personally and helps others. This applies not just to music, but to other projects as well. Can I use my love of writing to blog in ways readers find valuable? Can I use my passions for environmental preservation and personal wellness to create videos that enable the growth of both? </p>
<p>I'm not trying to say I have everything figured out. I don't. I'm not some great teacher or inspirational, world influencer. I'm just trying to figure out what I can offer and how best to offer it. </p>
<p>It can be frustrating. I'm impatient. Progress is slow. My development can be slower. I make a lot of mistakes. People can be very difficult to work with and even harder to understand. Humanity is simultaneously wonderful and horrible; brilliant and idiotic, capable and incompetent. I both love and hate us all at the same time, myself included. I'm like a sports fan booing their favorite player. </p>
<p>That's humanity. That's us. </p>
<p>But January gives me time to remember why I keep trying. My sphere of global influence is small. But I can do what I can do. I can identify the skills and desires I have. I can apply them as best I can through my work and passions, in the service of others. All of us can do this. Imagine where we could be as a people if we all did. </p>
<p>Here's to trying in this New Year.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/68407092021-12-14T13:30:16-05:002022-03-17T16:36:13-04:00Maximizing Your "Let It Snow" Donation<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/657c366a16078c5f030e8f03046a6fad832e4a46/original/yy.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Sometimes it's hard to tell how much information to give people. If you over-explain, you most likely insult people and may even come off as condescending or a "know-it-all". On the other hand, it's always a bummer when someone says, "Well, I wish somebody would have told me that!". </p>
<p>So, feeling caught in the middle of the informational spectrum, I've decided to take a chance and talk briefly about the various ways in which a person could be part of our Fulginiti Family Band's current fundraiser and musical release. </p>
<p>As you may know, we recorded a cover of Let It Snow and are offering it for a donation, which we will give to The Nature Conservancy's "Plant A Billion Trees" campaign. Our goal is to raise $2000 by the end of the month, and to share the holiday music we enjoyed making together. <a contents="Additional info about both the cause and the music can be found here.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.toddfulginiti.com/blog/blog/fulginiti-family-band-releases-let-it-snow-to-aid-reforestation-plant-a-billion-trees" target="_blank">Additional info about both the cause and the music can be found</a><a contents=" here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.toddfulginiti.com/blog/blog/fulginiti-family-band-releases-let-it-snow-to-aid-reforestation-plant-a-billion-trees" target="_blank"> here.</a><a contents="Additional info about both the cause and the music can be found here.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.toddfulginiti.com/blog/blog/fulginiti-family-band-releases-let-it-snow-to-aid-reforestation-plant-a-billion-trees" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p>So at the risk of being irritating, here is a list of the most popular ways to contribute, ranked in order from most helpful to least. </p>
<p><strong>The Best: Download/Donate at www.toddfulginiti.com </strong></p>
<p>At my website, you can download Let It Snow for a donation of your choice. The song can be put on any device you like. Or- if you're a Spotify user or music streamer, you can then stream us there. This is much more helpful than just streaming the music because those streaming services pay artists very little, so we end up with nothing in the offering plate for The Nature Conservancy. </p>
<p><strong>Also Helpful: Our Facebook Fundraiser Page </strong></p>
<p>Facebook makes it really easy to donate- just click the button. Here's our fundraiser page. The only downside is that, if you want the music, you can't get it there. But, you could stream it from your favorite place or go to www.fulginiti.com and download it without making an additional donation. </p>
<p><strong>Not As Good: iTunes, Amazon, & Streaming Only </strong></p>
<p>The problem with these sites is that, although you can access the music via download or streaming very easily, we don't make any money (well, maybe a fraction of a penny) from these sales or streams. No money for us means no donations for The Nature Conservancy. In our opinion, the best way to utilize these services is to first make a donation either at my website or on our Facebook fundraiser page. Then, as Hannah Montana used to say, "you've got the best of both worlds". </p>
<p>If you've read all this, hopefully you're not irritated to the point of not wanting to help. If so, I apologize! If not, we would be very grateful for your help in raising funds for The Nature Conservancy, and we hope you'll enjoy our music as a token of our appreciation. </p>
<p>Happy Holidays! </p>
<p>Todd Fulginiti for Bailey, Ally and Tom (Fulginiti Family Band)</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/68256382021-11-30T14:39:22-05:002022-02-01T02:05:11-05:00Fulginiti Family Band Releases "Let It Snow" To Aid Reforestation & "Plant A Billion Trees"<p>We are happy to announce the release of this year's Fulginiti Family Band holiday single, Let It Snow. This time we've featured Ally on lead vocals, with a background vocal arrangement by Bailey, a new horn arrangement by Todd, and Tom Herr holding down the fort on bass and guitar. We also feature clarinetist Faith Shiffer as a special guest- the first time we've "hired-out" for one of our projects. </p>
<p>The track is available for a donation, which we will pass along to <a contents="The Nature Conservancy's "Plant A Billion Trees"" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/" target="_blank">The Nature Conservancy's "Plant A Billion Trees"</a> project, which works to reforest parts of the world that once were green with trees and are now in ecological disrepair. According to <a contents="www.ourworldindata.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ourworldindata.org/deforestation" target="_blank">www.ourworldindata.org</a>, of the global deforestation that has occurred since 8,000BC, half has occurred since 1900. <a contents="National Geographic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/deforestation/" target="_blank">National Geographic</a> offers a good but brief overview of why deforestation is a problem we should solve.</p>
<p>Our version of Let It Snow is inspired by a combination of Kacey Musgraves, Gene Autry, and Rachel & Vilray. Ally is an especially big fan of Musgraves' easy, relaxed style- especially on her holiday album. Todd grew up listening to (and inadvertently memorizing) Gene Autry's famous, old-time Christmas record, with those happy-sounding horn and string arrangements. Bailey & Tom introduced the rest of us to the spectacular modern duo of Rachel & Vilray. Rachel Price (of Lake Street Dive fame) brings Vilray's original but retro-30's/40's songs to life. Their music often includes the tastiest of horn arrangements. With those sounds in our backgrounds, we set out to create a version of Let It Snow that would sound fresh without losing the feeling that makes it such a popular classic.</p>
<p>Let It Snow is available now on all streaming services, but the best way to make an impact is to download the song right here at <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com">www.toddfulginiti.com</a>. Streaming services pay artists almost nothing for their work, whereas your donation/download via <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://toddfulginiti.com/store" target="_blank">www.toddfulginiti.com </a>will result in a much fuller "collection plate" for us to send to The Nature Conservancy.</p>
<p>Please share our project with your friends- we'd love to raise as much money for reforestation as we can while spreading some happy holiday vibes!</p>
<p>Thank You and Let It Snow!</p>
<p>Todd<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/50d196f9f221ce0d019c0fce5603a312b3774d12/original/let-it-snow-cover.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>3:08Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/67046662021-08-02T13:53:04-04:002021-08-02T13:56:12-04:00Jazz On King: Our New "Mod-Friendly" Jazz Series at Tellus 360<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/54e2850fd1bb6b96cc3557420d293ae1a0afdaa1/original/jok-updated.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Ask 10 people what jazz is and you may get 10 different answers. Ask Tellus 360 what jazz is and you may get a description that conjures images of artwork by <a contents="Shag (Josh Agle)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.shag.com">Shag (Josh Agle)</a>, spy movies, mid-century mod culture, Vespas, and the well-dressed, ultra-cool sipping cocktails while listening to bossa nova grooves. </p>
<p>These images are reflected in Tellus 360's newest jazz offering, called Jazz On King. The series is produced in partnership with Todd Fulginiti Music, with the vision being to create the vibe described above, and to give visitors a chance to inhabit another era for a few hours. </p>
<p>Jazz On King happens at Tellus 360 on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of every month from 7-9pm and there is no cover. The room location fluctuates depending on what's happening at Tellus each night, but the club is blessed with many great gathering spots so space is never a problem. </p>
<p>Todd Fulginiti Trio, which provides the live jazz each night, has moved away from the often overplayed jazz standards heard regularly at local jazz clubs, and is focused more on music that fits the vibe that Jazz On King is trying to develop. You'll hear bossa novas, Henry Mancini spy themes, R&B influenced mod culture hits, vintage TV theme songs from mid-last-century, and a healthy serving of groove-based "post-bop" jazz. You can listen to it, dance to it, drink to it, or just soak in the vibe. Extra points for the well-dressed, especially mod-style.</p>
<p>See you on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at Jazz On King!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/66028042021-04-13T12:15:35-04:002021-04-13T23:25:38-04:00April's Avalanche of Gigs- How Did It Happen?<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/378013e78e316661956f5dab9d9d9729788d8b26/original/mptfnewlogo.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>If you took a look at my gig calendar, you'd see something similar to the EKG of a dead person- until April. This month, the gigs have come in like an avalanche! </p>
<p>But why? How did we go from near zero to near crazy in just one flip of the calendar page? </p>
<p>The answer has to do with a group called the Music Performance Trust Fund, and the special grants they've made available to musicians in order to get them working again, (and safely) during the pandemic. </p>
<p>The Trust Fund was created in 1948, to help settle a labor dispute between professional musicians and the recording industry. The issue at stake was royalty payments to musicians. The musicians union (American Federation of Musicians) went on strike, effectively shutting down all recorded music (including for TV shows, movies, etc. ) until a resolution was reached. </p>
<p>Part of that resolution included the creation of a Music Performance Trust Fund. The result is that every time a person purchases or streams music, the recording industry is required to contribute a small amount to the trust fund. </p>
<p>At this point, nearly 75 years later, the trust fund is very healthy financially and can fulfill its mission of providing free, live musical performances to the public while supplying fair wages and employment for professional musicians. The Music Performance Trust Fund is managed by the American Federation of Musicians and performances are funded through a variety of programs that make use of the money in the trust fund. Thousands of community and school performances are produced across the country each year, many of which are done for audiences that would otherwise go without. </p>
<p>In response to the pandemic, the MPTF has temporarily expanded its grant programs, making it very easy for musicians to book performances. All that's needed is a co-sponsor, a venue, and a few pieces of paperwork. Typically, the co-sponsor has to foot part of the bill for the musicians, but under this temporary grant expansion, the MPTF pays 100% of the costs. </p>
<p>Yep- that's free music for audiences and the venues/business that host the performances. Audiences get live music, musicians get paying gigs, and a third party pays the whole bill. It's a win for everybody! </p>
<p>The window for this expanded grant program is slim and ends soon- so I booked as many gigs in April as I could before funding goes back to normal and we're forced to get gigs "the old-fashioned way". </p>
<p>But I'm certainly grateful for the opportunities the MPTF has given me to return to doing what I love- playing music for audiences.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/65804212021-03-21T01:10:36-04:002021-03-23T10:31:12-04:00Attempting Musical "Plein-Air"<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/97f2383581218ce326c2315382482d3984814458/original/img-1972.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I have a painter friend named John David Wissler. He paints the sky. Beautiful skies that change and flow just like the real thing. Rather than imagining the skies he paints, he goes out into the world with his canvas, easel and brushes, and paints what he sees as he's looking at it, and as it changes from minute to minute.</p>
<p>This type of painting is called "plein-air", which means to paint outdoors. And if an artist is attempting to capture the natural world through their work, this seems to me like the way to go. Just get out there and take direction from the subject itself.</p>
<p>As a nature-loving tree-hugger, I've always been interested in the idea of plein-air art and wondered how I might be able to apply that idea to music. I admire people like Paul Winter, who incorporates the actual sounds of nature in his writing. Also native American flautists like R. Carlos Nakai, who take to the outdoors unaccompanied and play what they experience, immersed in nature.</p>
<p>After kicking several ideas around for a few years I finally got started this winter, filming my own outdoor footage and then improvising a soundtrack to it in the studio. Ideally of course I'd like to record and film outdoors at the same time, but I literally have my hands full just playing the instruments, and as rookie at this, I don't exactly have a Hollywood budget to hire a crew to film the scene while I play to it.</p>
<p>So, I took my iPhone down the street from my house, into Lititz Springs Park, and captured the scene on a snowy day. After editing the footage, I chose the instruments that, in my mind, characterized the scene best. In this case, it was Native American flute and alto recorder.</p>
<p>I recorded the music by watching the footage and improvising to it; hoping to interpret the scene through sound. There were no re-takes or do overs. I tried to keep it as "live" as it would be if I had gone out into the park and played.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6rn5kICgRGw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6rn5kICgRGw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6rn5kICgRGw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>As my first attempt at this type of thing, of course there were mistakes, and I learned that I'm a very loud breather. So loud, that I tried to edit out all the breath sounds in the music- they were just too distracting. As a consequence of that and my own performance and tech limitations, this first film was a great learning experience. I hope to improve with each future project.</p>
<p>But having said that, the essence of what I'm trying to accomplish is there, albeit a bit unpolished. </p>
<p>Sometimes videos like this are called "quiet TV". They're meant to help people relax, and to take a moment to realize what else is in the world, besides what's on their schedule.</p>
<p>If you're interested in this type of thing, please give this movie a play, and let me know what you think.</p>
<p>I've done a few other videos like this, but this is the first using original music and the plein-air approach. For Lancaster, Pa area residents, those videos air from time to time on LCTV66.</p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/65166862021-01-08T18:00:43-05:002021-04-21T13:11:06-04:00My 2020 Music Highlights- There Actually Were A Few!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/0ce16171376e9185dc7b03ab6108a982f8e18ae5/original/img-5593.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpeg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>For obvious reasons, this was without a doubt, the strangest year of my career. But despite my calendar being a scribbled mess of cancelled gigs (I really should've used a pencil), there were some exciting and fun things that happened in 2020. And as I sit here looking at my nearly empty 2021 schedule, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about the pre-Covid gig days and (believe it or not) the few good things that 2020 did bring. </p>
<p>Here are 3 of my favorite moments from a totally unusual year. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Todd Fulginiti Quartet presents Chet Baker Sings: </strong></p>
<p>This was the first of what was planned to be a monthly classic jazz series in the An Sibin room of Tellus 360. It was memorable for me because I was so excited to play the music from one of my all-time favorite albums. I was also pretty nervous about the singing. It's a style I don't do much of, plus Chet's voice is so unique, and it was a concert situation with people paying to be there and listen. Had we been playing background music in a bar, I would have been more comfortable. It was a stressful yet satisfying experience to have stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new. </p>
<p>Adding to the stress, was my morning misadventure that day with cleaning out my horn. It's not usually a good idea to do that before a gig unless you clean your horns often, which I don't. The thinking is that if you remove too much dirt and scum out of your dirty horn, it will play slightly to somewhat differently than you're accustomed to. I've found this to be true, yet decided to proceed anyway. My horn is old, and the valve markings are worn off. More worn off than I thought. After the cleaning, I couldn't get my valves back into the horn in the right sequence, meaning that no air would go through it. (Yep- embarrassing. I should't even be admitting this.). Anyway I had to use a different horn and ended up playing flugelhorn for much of the gig. This may not sound like a big deal, and it isn't really, but when you have a certain sound in mind for yourself, it just adds to the discomfort level when you have to alter your thinking at the last minute. </p>
<p>Anyway- all things considered it was a good day and a chance for this middle-aged dog to try some new tricks. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/48a7af2cb76576822d89a9d4d4cb36b52b7f0fb9/original/20200223-141932.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Todd Fulginiti Quartet performing the Chet Baker sings album in February.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Rise Up Awaken </strong></p>
<p>Continuing on the path of trying new things, and while all my gigs were cancelled, I wrote and recorded an original song called Rise Up Awaken. I write stuff all the time, but it's almost always instrumental, so I thought writing a "real song" would be fun. It was! Again, I was out of my comfort zone a bit with the vocal style, but was happy overall with the way the track turned out. Tom Herr pitched in on bass and guitar, and I even got my wife Tammy to play flute on it after a 20 year lay-off. Steve Puffer at Parallel Productions was very patient with me as I stumbled my way through half-baked ideas until we landed on something workable. To finish it up, I went around Rehoboth Beach, DE and Lancaster, PA shooting footage which I used to create a video for the song. Check it out: </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="43-Fm33gzJw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/43-Fm33gzJw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/43-Fm33gzJw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Wexford Carol/My People On The Streets </strong></p>
<p>For the third year in a row, the Fulginiti Family Band (my daughters Bailey and Ally, Bailey's boyfriend Tom, and myself) recorded a Christmas song to use as a fundraiser for a local cause. We chose Wexford Carol, and donated the money to our friend Dave Costarella's homeless project called "My People On The Streets". I'm proud of the way the music turned out, and I'm very grateful for everybody who donated to our cause. We were able to give Dave a check for $1500, by far our most successful project so far! </p>
<p>Even though Christmas is over, it's still ok to listen to the track if you want. Here it is:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Ngux1buZ6_s" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ngux1buZ6_s/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ngux1buZ6_s?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Music-wise, 2020 was rough, but it wasn't all bad, and it gave me the time to stretch out and experiment. I don't think any of us really know if things are going to better musically this year or not. We're certainly hopeful. In the meantime, there are 6 NFL playoff games this weekend and I plan to watch every one.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/64900842020-12-02T15:35:00-05:002020-12-02T15:35:29-05:00Fulginiti Family Band Releases "Wexford Carol" To Aid Lancaster Homeless<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/a3027887d49ddd89f6f91c3601d2e0e500b133a9/original/wexford-cover-pages-1.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Fulginiti Family Band is proud to share our 3rd annual holiday single with you, Wexford Carol. It's a beautiful Irish melody, sung by Bailey & Ally, against a backdrop of handbells, flugelhorns and bass, played by Tom Herr and I. Of the 3 holiday singles we've done, this one is easily my favorite. </p>
<p>We're giving the track away for free, to everybody who wants to listen. But as always, we're also hoping to do some good in the community with it by asking for donations. The money will go to a special, grass-roots operation in Lancaster called "My People On The Streets", administered by Dave Costarella.</p>
<p>Dave is the real-life angel who collects and distributes food, clothing and other essentials to those living on the streets of Lancaster. Dave goes out several nights per week from fall through winter, and has a huge impact on the well-being of those in our community that have fallen on hard times. Dave has also created an outstanding booklet aimed at helping communities and municipalities to better understand the needs of the homeless. </p>
<p>Dave's living room is filled with clothing to distribute and his kitchen is where he prepares the meals he hands out. It's a beautiful act of love, but it comes with expenses. Donations will go to helping Dave get what he needs to continue the work of caring for those on the streets. </p>
<p>For more on "My People On The Streets", see Costarella's webpage at: <a contents="http://www.dcandco.net/streetproject.htm&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.dcandco.net/streetproject">http://www.dcandco.net/streetproject.htm </a></p>
<p>To download Wexford Carol and/or make a donation, go to <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com">www.toddfulginiti.com</a>. The Wexford link is right there on the home page, or you can download it directly from this blog.</p>
<p>We tend to think that homelessness is a far away problem that could never happen to us, but that's not really true. It's closer to many of us than we might admit. It may only take one or two big setbacks to put us in that position ourselves. </p>
<p>Please share Wexford with your friends and encourage them to donate as well. </p>
<p>Thanks, Merry Christmas, and Best Wishes for a Happy New Year!</p>3:28Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/64572782020-10-16T12:40:09-04:002021-08-28T01:30:01-04:00New Video Release: Rise Up Awaken!<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/914817cf456e0e62146a334b539075b8200a30a6/original/rise-up-video-thumbnail.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As has been mentioned a zillion times by everybody since the pandemic hit, the slower lifestyle/cancelled gig calendar caused by Covid has made it easier to find time to do some this things we always talked abut doing but never did. For me, one of those things was to write and record an original song that wasn't an instrumental. A few weeks ago, I released the results of that effort, <a contents="Rise Up, Awaken. " data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store">Rise Up, Awaken. </a> </p>
<p>To go along with that, today I'm posting a video for the song. It was a fun project to work on! I have no training and minimal equipment, but was interested to see how things would turn out if I gave it a shot anyway. I recently got a new phone with a better camera, and I knew I wanted to get some footage at Rehoboth Beach, DE, so it was a good excuse for me to go to the beach and play with my new toy.</p>
<p>I got lucky hiking my favorite beach trail and got some good footage of a buck and a crab- made me feel like I was working for National Geographic for a minute!</p>
<p>I finished up the footage by walking around my hometown of Lancaster, PA, added a few of clips from a website called Pexel.com, and then assembled everything using iMovie. Low budget- low tech- pretty fun though!</p>
<p>Now I'm hoping people will listen to the song, watch the video, and get some joy or even inspiration out of it. If not, at least both projects were a good way to amuse myself and to learn a few things.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="43-Fm33gzJw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/43-Fm33gzJw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/43-Fm33gzJw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Rise Up, Awaken is available for download/donation at our store page, and on most streaming sites. Proceeds will benefit The Siera Club, The ACLU and Public Health Initiative.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/64419122020-09-24T13:04:44-04:002020-09-27T11:02:26-04:00New Original Release: Rise Up, Awaken<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/49f3c17a5f61d891b7534386428bb0d43f58f787/original/img-5125.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Let’s be honest- 2020 sucks and it's mostly our own fault. The reasons why are obvious. The good news is that we can fix it if we wake up to our situation and get to work- together. That’s the idea behind Rise Up, Awaken. </p>
<p>Ironically, the pandemic we're trying to beat is, in part, what gave me the time to try something new- songwriting. Earlier this year, when the pandemic wiped all of our calendars clean, many people used that time to work on projects; improving on something they already were into, or maybe attempting to learn or experience something new. The quarantine also gave us time to think and reflect, instead of just running through our daily routine of tasks.</p>
<p>For me, having no gigs to play was a good thing in many ways. I was fortunate to have been pretty busy up to that point, but needed a break. When the shutdown came, I didn't pick up my trumpet for several months. Instead, I shifted my focus to a few of the things I had been wanting to do, that never seemed to get any of my attention. I started a new blog (www.fiveoclockshadow.life), completed a sustainability presentation I had stalled on, and continued wondering how I could use music for the common good, rather than just for playing whatever gig I was hired for.</p>
<p>I really enjoy arranging and writing, but as a trumpet player, nearly everything I've done is instrumental. I wanted to try writing a "real" song this time, one with a social message. Ironically, even though I'm writer/blogger, I've never been good with lyrics or poetry. And, I'm a trumpet player who does some singing, not the other way around. So, I knew there were hurdles.</p>
<p>I grabbed my ukulele and headed down to our basement to experiment. Eventually, my original, Irish folk-sounding idea evolved into a reggae style sketch of Rise Up, Awaken. It's hard to write a song with a social message without being influenced by Bob Marley. At least, it is for me. I took the sketch to Steve Puffer at Parallel Productions just to experience the recording process from a new angle, and we started working on the track. It was like putting a jigsaw puzzle together when you're sure some of the pieces belong to another puzzle! It was fun though, especially because the whole thing was an experiment- no deadlines, and no consequences if the track ended up unusable. My only real goal was to see the process through to the end, whether that resulted in a completed song or not.</p>
<p>Tom Herr, my daughter's boyfriend, recorded the bass and guitar tracks from his apartment in Bethlehem PA, and sent them to Steve. I played everything else except the vibraslap and the flute. If you ever need a good vibraslap sound, Steve is the guy- I didn't realized what a skill there is to that! My wife Tammy surprisingly agreed to play the flute parts. She was a really good player back in high school and kept playing at church and community groups until our kids were born. She hadn't played in about 25 years. Even though she said she was nervous enough to puke right into the mic, she got the parts down!</p>
<p>When we were all done and I'd finally stopped obsessing over which vocal effects to use or not use, I realized I needed some sort of cover art. My friend Kirsten Lefever is an outstanding artist and she gave me a few of her pieces when I retired from teaching a few years ago. They hang on the wall. Up close, one of them looks to me like a bunch of people holding hands, joining themselves together with each other and connecting to something beyond as well. That's what the song is about.</p>
<p>Most of the time, when I make music, the goal is to bring joy or satisfaction to listeners. But with this track, I'm hoping to combine my music and blogging/writing interests, and to reach listeners in a more meaningful way. </p>
<p>The track is available here at www.toddfulginiti.com on the store page and at many streaming sites. It's pay-what-you-want, with all proceeds going to The Sierra Club, ALCU, and Public Health Institute.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/64364712020-09-17T15:14:05-04:002021-05-12T12:44:35-04:00Almost A Sucker- My Halloween Wedding Scam<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/58e80364d0a0f485c32bc1c3c45cf4eeb42c2ed0/original/scam-alert-25080388-ver1-0-2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The first bad sign was that the wedding was on Halloween. But on other hand, I thought something like that could turn out to be pretty cool. I love Halloween! </p>
<p>It started with an unknown guy texting me, looking for music for his daughters wedding. He said he found my website and noticed that I'm located near the wedding venue, which was a house about 5 miles from mine. He gave the house address and the hours involved in the wedding. </p>
<p>Naturally, I asked him what kind of music he was looking for and also asked for more specific information about which parts of the wedding he wanted us to play (ceremony, cocktails hour, dinner, dancing, everything). He didn't answer those questions but just reiterated the times involved. </p>
<p>I got the sense that maybe this guy was not a native English-speaker. Some of his phrasing, while not wrong, was just a little unusual. No big deal though. It was more odd that he seemed to be avoiding any talk about the musical product we were expected to deliver. </p>
<p>A night or two later, I was driving near the address where the wedding was to take place, so I decided to swing by and take a look. The place was very impressive and huge. A mansion of a house, with large grounds, a tennis court, and a pool. And a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn right by the curb. </p>
<p>Halloween wedding, no musical discussion, venue is a house that's for sale. Nothing felt right or normal, yet I didn't want to jump to any conclusions yet. So, I googled the so-called father of the bride. Nothing. Facebooked him. Nope. Googled again. Still nothing. Again I thought this was unusual but not unheard of. I was still naive enough to think that some people have no web presence whatsoever. My daughter proved that wrong a few days later during a discussion of this potential wedding gig and it's accompanying weirdness. </p>
<p>My next text from the bride's dad said that my fee for the music was acceptable, and that he hopes I can accept a credit card as payment. I told him I could, provided I could work out a technical snag that had recently popped up. I also asked him again about music. His response was that he would like to pay in full, up front, but had a favor he needed to ask of me. Still nothing about the actual music he was paying for. </p>
<p>The favor started with an explanation that the wedding planner could not accept credit cards for payment, and that was a problem. His solution was that I bill him for not only my musical services, but also for the entire wedding planner's fee, which was north of $3,000. Additionally, I was to add a few hundred dollars for myself for handling this favor for him. I wondered why a wedding planner used to charging fees in that range wouldn't be set-up to accept credit cards himself, and why wouldn't he be the one taking care of the music, rather than Dad. </p>
<p>At this point I should have known for sure that I was being scammed, but I thought about it for day or two. It felt wrong, but on the other hand, I've been involved in some pretty innocent situations that have almost gone way wrong due to language/translation issues. So I was skeptical, but open to the possibility that things were ok, just weird. </p>
<p>I must have "sucker" written all over me because everybody else who heard my story said to end it immediately. So I did some more research, and it turns out that this guy's phone number is untraceable, not connected to any known identify. It also turns out that his approach is a variation on what is apparently a pretty common scam. In simplified form, the father of the bride would convince me to overcharge him for a service, then send the money to a third party (wedding planner). If the timing works out correctly, I would have paid the wedding planner before the credit card purchase was approved. I was surprised to learn that, even in today's light-speed world, that transactions can take up to two weeks to totally complete. In the meantime, I pay the wedding planner, who is presumably a partner in crime to the father of the bride. Dad's credit is rejected by the banks, but mine goes through, essentially meaning that I would receive a large sum of nothing from Dad, while giving a lesser large sum of cash to the crime buddy. </p>
<p>We hadn't gotten to the point of drawing up contracts or anything, this was all done through texting. I knew several things about this scene were not right, yet I'm a little embarrassed that I cautiously toyed with the idea for a few minutes before hearing everybody else call to shut it down. </p>
<p>Anyway, I reported the guy to the FTC, took screen shots of our correspondence, deleted the text strain, and worked on booking another gig- hopefully a real one this time.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/64039502020-08-06T19:59:47-04:002020-08-07T22:49:40-04:00Hammers, Identity & Musicians With No Gigs<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/e7e6f397b23480d3af6fb2599ef3309d01d5b944/original/8bbe24f83c7a0855d3cd2912552d0cd6.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Can you still call yourself a musician if you don’t have any gigs? My vocalist daughter wondered this out loud during a recent conversation, in which I informed her that yet another one our gigs together had been cancelled due to the virus. In answering, I tried to be Confucius-esque, asking if a hammer remains a hammer as it waits on the tool shelf. Ah, so I'm no great master of wisdom sayings, but my daughter's question is legit. </p>
<p>How much does what we do inform our identity? If we stop doing it, do we lose our identity? </p>
<p>For many, identity is tied up in a person's work and musicians are not exempt from that. Musicians may choose music as a career because it occupies a large portion of their day anyway. Many of us hear music in our head all day long, and sounds (musical or not) have an effect on us. Our brains may be working to both simultaneously enjoy and analyze what we hear during every waking moment, and even sometimes as we sleep. We wonder about musical ideas and kick them around in our brains even if it's just an abstract mental exercise. We may or may not enjoy the grueling, tediousness of practicing, but we love the results enough to continue doing it. </p>
<p>Those things still happen to musicians whether, as professionals, we have gigs or not. For the musician, music is not just a job or a way to generate income. It is a deeply ingrained, lifelong passion that cannot be extinguished. That sounds sappy and cliché, and I hate saying it, but in this case it’s true. </p>
<p>It stinks that there are almost no opportunities to perform right now because of the pandemic. But when it passes, musicians will return to the stage. If it does not pass, we will keep creating music anyway, and we'll figure out how best to share it with people. No matter what state the world is in, people will always need some form of art and entertainment. Even if they didn't, musicians and artists would still do what they do because they can't help it, it's part of who they are. </p>
<p>A hammer is still a hammer with or without nails to pound. And musicians are still musicians even if they don’t have any gigs.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/63025962020-05-02T12:24:06-04:002020-05-18T13:03:31-04:00Interview: Bailey & Tom Talk About New Quarantine Cover Series<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/72d40d8d4091ab6f36c1193200bbe327823a5e93/original/unknown.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Musicians are experiencing a new kind of whiplash this spring as robust gig calendars have been completely annihilated by coronavirus social restrictions. Some, like Todd Fulginiti Music (TFM) artist Bailey Fulginiti & bassist Tom Herr, are using the time to reformat and reach new listeners. The couple, along with their dog Giselle, is sheltering in place in their Bethlehem, PA apartment where they've begun a new video series called Quarantine Covers. We spoke to them recently via FaceTime. </p>
<p><strong>TFM: How has Covid-19 affected your music plans for the spring? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: Well, it was like having a whiteboard, with stuff written down all over it, and then....whoosh! It's all gone now! </p>
<p><strong>TFM: What types of gigs did you lose? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: Well you should know since you booked most of them (laughs) but mostly outdoor private events and some restaurant jazz dates. Tom? </p>
<p>Tom: I had three musicals in a row scheduled, to play bass for. They're all cancelled. I was supposed to start rehearsals for the third one this week. Also a few jazz gigs. </p>
<p><strong>TFM: So what are you doing musically now that there are no gigs? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: We've been trying to write more of our own stuff. </p>
<p>Tom: Yeah, we've been trying to make better demos of the originals using Logic. I have more time to work on that stuff now that I'm working my day job from home. I usually drive about 2 hours a day for work. We've also been listening to a lot more music. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="E-n-SeahSEQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/E-n-SeahSEQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E-n-SeahSEQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>TFM: So how did the Quarantine Cover video series come about? Were you planning something like that prior to the social restrictions? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: Sort of. We were trying to find more ways to do music together. Then, when everything shut down, we basically had two choices: A- sit on our ass and do nothing, not practice, and slowly get worse, or B- have something that we post, every week, that keeps us accountable and practicing. </p>
<p>Tom: Yeah and hopefully the cover songs will drive some engagement and get us some followers, so that by the time we are recording originals, we'll have some people listening. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Y-1TmZ5dLOc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y-1TmZ5dLOc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-1TmZ5dLOc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>TFM: How do you pick the tunes you're going to cover? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: We usually do one that we really like, that may not be super popular, then switch it up next time with something everybody knows. We're hoping people will like the songs they don't already know, and that it will push them to check out that artist's music too. </p>
<p>Tom: The other thing that drives our song selection is restriction of instrumentation. I'm mainly a bass player, but I'm mostly playing guitar on these songs out of necessity. I'm sort of limited on what I can actually play on the guitar, but there aren't a lot of songs that work for just bass and vocals- so yeah, guitar playing out of necessity. </p>
<p><strong>TFM: So you're practicing more guitar than bass these days? </strong></p>
<p>Tom: Yeah. It's good though. I can get away without practicing bass for a little while because I've done it so much, but guitar is too new. I'm getting a lot better but I lose it pretty quick if I don't keep on it. </p>
<p><strong>TFM: You've done 5 Quarantine Covers so far, which is your favorite? </strong></p>
<p>Tom: Mine was the Scott Mulvahill (Fighting For The Wrong Side) because I actually got to play bass and it's a pretty fun baseline to play. </p>
<p>Bailey: Same. All the other songs we've done have been trimmed down from their full instrumentation to just vocals and one other part. But Fighting For The Wrong Side was originally written for just bass and vocals so we could do it as it was written. Plus, the imagery and story of that song are strong. </p>
<p><strong>TFM: What was the coolest thing that's happened so far as a result of the Quarantine Cover series? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: I didn't think some people would really care about what we're doing, but they do. I mean people from high school that I didn't really know that well and haven't kept up with. But they've been like, "Hey I really like these videos!" It's nice! </p>
<p>Tom: We've also had a few good retweets. Scott Mulvahill retweeted our cover of his song (Fighting For The Wrong Side), and P.C. King retweeted our last video. (P.C. King is a respected musician in the area). So we got shared by the original artist and a local music hero. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Y-1TmZ5dLOc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Y-1TmZ5dLOc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-1TmZ5dLOc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6BBfdYLQ9fA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6BBfdYLQ9fA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6BBfdYLQ9fA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>TFM: What's the toughest part about home recording? </strong></p>
<p>Bailey: Keeping Gigi quiet! She's a perfect angel all day then when we start to record she's like (makes whining dog sounds). </p>
<p>Tom: At least half of our bad takes are because Giselle makes a sound, not because we messed up. </p>
<p>Bailey: Some of the videos we post have dog sounds on them because we get almost the whole way through, then she makes some noise, and we're like, "I am not going through all that again!" </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/27b58fcf32e9c47dc640aafbb0a1ab1abf5a5189/original/img-8954.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Quarantine Covers is available free on Youtube and is shared on Bailey and Tom's social media pages. <a contents="CLICK HERE TO&nbsp;SUBCRIBE." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCviY25rJ1YC9NNKAvrbfaHg">CLICK HERE TO SUBCRIBE.</a> New covers are released every Monday. You can contact<a contents=" Bailey via her website " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://WWW.BAILEYFULGINITI.COM"> Bailey via her website </a>or through <a contents="Todd Fulginiti Music." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com">Todd Fulginiti Music.</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="YXuJ1y4clv0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/YXuJ1y4clv0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YXuJ1y4clv0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="OQrfWZAw2Hw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/OQrfWZAw2Hw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OQrfWZAw2Hw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-qCjgH92oKs" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/-qCjgH92oKs/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-qCjgH92oKs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="tNzqZ8dRsgY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/tNzqZ8dRsgY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tNzqZ8dRsgY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/62774552020-04-09T14:47:11-04:002022-05-25T09:05:20-04:00Guilt Free, Healthy Negligence: The Corona Effect<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/aaedc18a34ac733168e22f55c6f8115481a38aec/original/guilt-free-zone.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I’ve only touched a trumpet once since my last gig on March 15. And I'm ok with it. I don’t feel guilty about it and I don’t care that I don’t feel guilty. </p>
<p>Since that weekend in mid March when corona virus shut everything down, many of us have been confined to our houses with endless time on our hands. Hobbies, “someday” projects and self-improvement have taken center stage. I've done some of that. But nothing has involved playing the trumpet. I started a new blog and published a backlog of about 30 posts. I did a ton of yard work including the removal of 3 small, dead trees. I did lots of research and reading for an upcoming sustainable living project. I ran a DIY half marathon because the one I signed up for got canceled. Even so, most of my time these past weeks has been spent reading for fun, sleeping late, watching Netflix, and playing video game hockey. No trumpet. Very little music. And I’m good with it. </p>
<p>I don’t miss it. And I don’t feel like a loser when I see Facebook posts from friends about how much they have been “in the woodshed” practicing for the past month. I do have a bunch of music projects I'd like to work on at some point, but not now. </p>
<p>The last time I felt this way was 2010, when we went on a 5 week family road trip out west. I played a gig the night before we left, and another the day after we came home. In between? Nothing. And I didn’t care at all. I didn’t miss it at all. </p>
<p>When we got home from the trip I showed up at my gig the next day a little worried that my chops were super out of shape and I would really suck. But the opposite happened. I played great and really enjoyed the gig. Maybe it was what they call beginners mind. I had no expectation of how I was going to perform that day and therefore didn’t pressure myself to push too hard or expect too much. I just did the best I could and enjoyed the moment. </p>
<p>Things did catch up with me a few days later and I had to rededicate myself to getting back into playing shape. But by then I was fresh, re-energized and inspired to do that work. I was ready and glad to be back at it, but it didn't happen before it needed to. This current period reminds me of that time. </p>
<p>I’m not confessing my recent, musical disinterest to "lazy-brag", or to get nominated for Slacker King. Instead, I offer the idea that it’s ok, even beneficial, to sometimes take an extended break from doing what we love, especially if it's our career. It’s like being in a relationship. Sometimes you need to be away from your partner for a while to allow that spark to reignite. Then you can come back fresh. But forcing the enthusiasm just doesn’t work. </p>
<p>I told my friends I’ll probably practice again in a week or two. We’ll see how it goes. I do look forward to playing gigs again when this is all over and I know that, in order to play well and have fun, I’ll need to revive my practice routine and get my musical self together again. I'll enjoy doing that when the time comes. </p>
<p>In the meantime I’m going to lay here in the hammock for a little while longer, then go for a run. Guilt free.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/62573462020-03-21T12:13:16-04:002021-06-29T11:40:48-04:00Normalcy Cancelled: What Now?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/b9f3fb41387419b0228e8362f524a58fa4b1880e/original/img-8816.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><br>Cancelled. Cancelled. Postponed. Cancelled. Last week was like that too. Tomorrow too. Next month, who knows? Welcome to Covid-19. </p>
<p>Like all my fellow musicians and countless others, my calendar is now basically blank. It would actually be blank except for the cross-outs and scribbles on what used to be all of my gig dates. Do they still make Wite Out? Maybe I should've used a pencil, or a Google calendar. </p>
<p>In any case, I'm left with the same questions we're all facing. What now? What next? </p>
<p>I'm working that out. But I'm also grateful and lucky that my wife's teaching job will, at least for now, help us avoid the immediate financial disaster many are enduring. This gives me a chance to get my head out the weeds and ask other questions as I reflect on my newly changed life. </p>
<p>What have I been doing? Why? Does it matter? </p>
<p>I left my teaching job less than a year ago because I knew it wasn't where I was supposed to be anymore. As everybody except me headed back to class this past September, I was full of energy and ready to dig in on the several projects I thought would contribute to society while fulfilling my soul. I worked on those things. But I also took on a bunch of other smaller things. They took time too. A lot more of it than I thought. </p>
<p>And as the world slows down to a crawl over corona virus, and my schedule of tasks, projects and music gigs goes away, I notice that some of the things I was most eager to tackle are the ones still undone. Some remain totally unaddressed. </p>
<p>Why is this? What have I been doing? Did it matter? </p>
<p>Sometimes the most important projects are complex and time consuming. It might seem easy to just knock out a few of the smaller, less important things, creating time and mental space to devote to the important, bigger things. So we do that. But then comes the next day, presenting the same situation. Same goes for the next day and all the days after that. Suddenly, those complex, important projects are essentially shelved. That's what happened to me.</p>
<p>So I quit my teaching to job to have more time to work on meaningful projects, then I filled up that time with other things that prevented me from working on those projects. Brilliant. Well done. </p>
<p>The other things weren't bad or useless, they just weren't as important as the bigger things I really wanted to address. </p>
<p>But corona virus is giving me a do-over. Not really a do-over, but a do-better. With my calendar reset to near zero, I have another chance to decide how to allocate my time. What things are worthy of it? What do I really want to do and why? </p>
<p>I'm a musician. I'm going to create and perform music because I can't not do it. I'm going to do it as well as I can to satisfy my being and to bring joy, happiness and art to others. Corona virus is not going to stop that whether I have gigs on the calendar or not. </p>
<p>I'm also a writer. I write to share the experience of being human and to explore what that means. But I've allowed writing to become hampered by a clutter of things I don't need. The corona virus quarantine is helping me to see that and to change it. </p>
<p>I'm a sustainable living advocate. I want to help transform society into something reflective of the fact that we are inextricably woven into the natural world and must live in harmony with it. But that desire has been sometimes bottled up behind the cork of unnecessary tasks in my life. The corona virus quarantine is helping me to change that too. </p>
<p>What am I doing? Why? Does it matter? </p>
<p>We can all ask ourselves these things. Even if corona virus hasn't nuked your normal schedule, you can take a few minutes to check in with yourself. Ask if you're spending your time the way you really want to. Is what's on your calendar nourishing? Or helpful in reaching your goals? Are those goals the right ones? Cancelled and postponed are words the corona virus has forced on us a lot lately. Let's make sure we're not inadvertently applying those terms to ourselves as well.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/62459042020-03-11T20:20:51-04:002020-06-25T01:50:08-04:00Herbie Hancock Tribute Pairs Two Giant Albums<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/84c11283c090dbb728f0bfbc0e4ea1278ef0686f/original/screen-shot-2020-03-11-at-8-19-15-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>NOTE: THIS SHOW HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO MAY 3 DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS OUTBREAK</strong></p>
<p>Maiden Voyage and Head Hunters. Both giant jazz albums. Both by Herbie Hancock. And both are the focus of this month's classic jazz series presented by Todd Fulginiti Music and Tellus 360 this Sunday. And if you have a soft spot in your heart for album liner notes and stuff like that- keep reading for a little background info on what we'll be playing Sunday. </p>
<p><strong>Maiden Voyage </strong></p>
<p>Herbie Hancock says there's just something mystical about the sea, and he's right. It has inspired both artists and scientists for ages, never losing its appeal despite the abuse and mistreatment humanity has heaped upon it. </p>
<p>Ask an artist to draw an ocean scene and you might get anything from abstract swirling colors to dancing fish and mermaids. Ask a writer for a sea story and you might get Moby Dick or Popeye. Ocean related music ranges from Debussey's La Mer to A Pirates Life For Me. Most of us feel connected to the sea on some level although we may express it in different ways. </p>
<p>Herbie Hancock's 1965 album, Maiden Voyage, is about the sea. And rather than me try to sound imaginative or scholarly, it's probably better to hear from the man himself about the concept that resulted in one of the best jazz albums of all time. Here's what he said: </p>
<p><em>"The sea has often stirred the imagination of creative minds involved in all spheres of art. There still exists an element of mystery which surrounds the sea and the living aquatic creatures which provide it with its vital essence. Atlantis, the Sargasso Sea, giant serpents, and mermaids are only a few of the many folkloric mysteries which have evolved through man’s experiences with the sea. </em></p>
<p><em>This music attempts to capture its vastness and majesty, the splendor of a sea-going vessel on its maiden voyage, the graceful beauty of the playful dolphins, the constant struggle for survival of even the tiniest sea creatures, and the awesome destructive power of the hurricane, nemesis of seamen.” </em></p>
<p>With Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor sax, Ron Carter on bass and Tony Williams on drums, Herbie's quintet explores a wide range of colors, forms and moods on the albums 5 tracks. Two of those tracks, Maiden Voyage and Dolphin Dance, are considered standard pieces of jazz repertoire. That's like a pop star having 2 mega-hits from the same album. Rare. </p>
<p>To me, Maiden Voyage is about color and Freddie Hubbard's killer trumpet lines- he's one of my favorite players. </p>
<p><strong>Head Hunters </strong></p>
<p>According to his website, Herbie Hancock was getting restless in the early 70's, anxious to try something new but not knowing what. In his own words, here's how he figured it out. </p>
<p><em>It happened one day. I was chanting. I knew I didn’t want to play the music I had been playing, but I didn’t know what music I wanted to play. I hadn’t quite figured it out. I don’t remember having any other idea, but what was uppermost in my mind was that I knew didn’t want to play what had been playing. I wanted to feel more earthy and be a little more grounded. I wanted to find the answers within myself. </em></p>
<p><em>The more I chanted, the more my mind opened up, relaxed and began to wander. I started thinking about Sly Stone and how much I loved his music and how funky “Thank You For Letting Me Be Myself” is. I was hearing that song over and over and over again. Then I had this mental image of me playing in Sly’s band playing something funky like that. Then the next image that came to me was about my own band playing in Sly Stone’s musical direction. My unconscious reaction was, “No, I don’t want to do that.” </em></p>
<p><em>What saw in this reaction was seeing in myself the same things I hated about many other jazz musicians that put jazz on a pedestal, and at the same time putting Funk and Rock on a secondary level. I don’t like that about anything. There’s room for everything. But I noticed my gut reaction was the same kind of hierarchical look of putting jazz on a pedestal. I said to myself, “Whoa! What are you doing?” I knew I had to take the idea seriously. Would I like to have a funky band that played the kind of music Sly or someone like that was playing? My response was, “Actually, yes.” </em></p>
<p>Too many musicians create this bogus hierarchy of music where only certain types are worthy and others get left to the presumably less talented. I'm glad Herbie saw through that, creating a space for free flowing improvisation over killer funk grooves that are as good for dancing as they are for the ear. </p>
<p>Head Hunters was released in 1973 and two of its four tracks are considered jazz fusion standards (Chameleon & Watermelon Man). It's still one of the best selling jazz albums of all time. </p>
<p><strong>This Sunday at Tellus </strong></p>
<p>Once again we'll be in the cozy basement room, An Sibin, for this month's classic jazz show, playing both the Maiden Voyage and Head Hunters albums. </p>
<p>Kirk Reese is our special guest on piano. If you've not heard him before you're going to want to change that immediately! Kirk says he's been playing these albums since the day they originally came out and at one point had them all memorized. He plays with great fire and creativity, always ready to latch on to a new idea and take it wherever it may go. </p>
<p>Along with Kirk are Ryan Kauffman (sax), Tom Hilliker (bass), Chris Loser (drums), and myself (trumpet). Presenting these two contrasting albums on the same bill is challenging, but choosing one over the other was even tougher. </p>
<p>Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show. Doors open at 1:30pm, music starts at 2pm and we'll finish up around 4pm. Last month's Chet Baker Sings show was well received and were hoping you can be part of the action as we build the jazz series with Tellus 360. </p>
<p>See you Sunday!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/62261322020-02-24T16:37:14-05:002021-04-06T21:51:48-04:00What Chet Baker's Voice Has To Do With Skiing<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/48a7af2cb76576822d89a9d4d4cb36b52b7f0fb9/original/20200223-141932.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>If there were leaves on the trees right now, 2 of them would have been turned over for me this past week. And despite the usual bumps and bruises of trying something new, it was a good week of growth and overcoming new challenges. </p>
<p>The biggest "leaf" was yesterday's Chet Baker tribute, where my quartet and I played the Chet Baker Sings album the whole way through. I love Chet's playing and count him as one of my major trumpet influences. His singing left its mark on me too. Not because he necessarily sounded great, but because he just did it differently than everybody else, and packed so much emotion into it. So in that way he really did sound great. </p>
<p>I was excited for the chance to play his music in front of an audience that came to listen, instead of just talk over the music during dinner, as happens so often at restaurant gigs. I thought, "I love Chet's playing style, and I sing a lot with other bands and music groups. So, it should be no big deal." But I soon realized that, even though I do a lot of singing, Chet's vocals were going to be a big deal for me. </p>
<p>It's like the first time I ever went skiing. I spent most of the day on the smallest beginner slope and was doing fairly well. Then, while riding the ski lift back up, I took a look next door at the next larger hill. "I can do that", I thought. My brother advised against it, pointing out that the hills always look flatter from the lift, but they look a lot different when you stare them down from the top. I paid him no mind and went to the bigger hill anyway. When I got to the top, I realized I was in for a "learning experience". My brother watched from the top as I looked pretty good for a surprisingly long time, reached a speed I couldn't handle, flew over a mogul, and ended up rolling rapidly towards the lodge, crashing to halt just shy of a wooden fence. It took me half an hour to find one of my skis. </p>
<p>I had listened to Chet sing hundreds of times and knew that his vocal approach was soft and airy. Like when you sing to yourself as you do chores around the house. As a listener, it sounded pretty doable. But just like that ski slope, my perspective kept me from seeing the real deal. The stuff I usually sing is more pop, bluesy and up tempo. Even the ballads I sing are done with a stronger tone that's more natural to me. I feel pretty comfortable with the Christmas caroling gigs we do around the holidays. I've sung all kinds of material in the classroom during my long career as an elementary school music teacher. But trying to emulate Chet Baker's style is much more challenging than Chet makes it sound. </p>
<p>I had to work on trying to accurately land every single note. Everything Chet sings stands out, often nearly naked against the tasteful backdrop of the rhythm section. I was used to singing with heavy accompaniment and at faster speeds. Getting pretty close to pitch was usually just fine in those situations. Not so at all with Chet's style. You either hit it square or you sound bad.</p>
<p>The extra emphasis on pitch was even more necessary on higher notes. Chet doesn't really sing high, but he supports his sound so poorly that I don't know how he even managed to sound good on the upper tones he did choose. But he did. And he did it without losing that ultra-smooth, smokey quality that saturates every word. I felt like I was doing the vocal equivalent of upping my exercise routine while eating nothing but doughnuts and drinking only soda. </p>
<p>The other challenge for me was to get comfortable with the fact that people were going to be sitting there listening to me sing, whether it was a natural style for me or not. I'm used to that type of thing with a trumpet in my hand, but not so much with a mic. Usually when I sing, people are dancing or talking. Or, I at least have other singers with me to share the load and to blend with. Not this time. </p>
<p>There was also the fact that I spent so much time working on the vocals for this show that I somewhat neglected what was supposed to be the easier part- the trumpet playing. But a day or two before the show I reached the point where I was ready to confidently go into the room and deliver what I could, warts and all, willing to accept whatever opinions or judgements the listeners inevitably would make. </p>
<p>But with the calendar turned to a new week, I feel good about the whole experience. It was challenging, imperfect, and at times somewhat uncomfortable. But what fun is life if you don't push the boundaries a little bit?</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/62140112020-02-13T10:40:26-05:002020-02-13T10:56:41-05:00Todd Fulginiti Music & Tellus 360 Present New Classic Jazz Series<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/577051be785398ed732d7aec9996453de9d78efe/original/screen-shot-2020-02-13-at-10-48-57-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Tellus 360 and Todd Fulginiti Music are proud to announce a brand new classic jazz series! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">We kick things off this month, on February 23 at 2pm, with Todd Fulginiti Quartet performing Chet Baker's iconic 1954 album "Chet Baker Sings" in its entirety. Then we'll add one new date per month in March, April & May, with each show paying tribute to a different jazz artist and one of their greatest albums. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">At the Chet Baker show, we'll announce the March event date and which artist we'll be paying tribute to. We'll also have a limited number of discount tickets available for purchase. Details of the April event will be announced at the March show, and May details will be shared at the April show. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">This new jazz series is modeled on last year's popular Miles Davis "Kind Of Blue" event, presented by Todd Fulginiti Music & Tellus 360 and gives true jazz fans a chance to hear great music in the quiet, listener-friendly, basement speakeasy, An Sibin. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Todd Fulginiti Quartet features special guest Steve Rudolph (piano) along with Tom Hilliker (bass), Chris Loser (drums) and Todd Fulginiti on trumpet and vocals. <a contents="Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show and are&nbsp;available at our website.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tellus360.ticketfly.com/e/fulginiti-jazz-series-chet-baker-sings-91364243913/">Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show and are available at our website. </a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Early reservations are encouraged, as our Miles Davis event sold out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Share the news with your jazz-loving friends and make plans now to be part of this exciting new series!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/561b90cdeb2b7311e9ea48cb9247b702f15b4166/original/chet-baker-sings-poster-2-0.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/61390412020-01-21T11:15:04-05:002021-04-27T09:51:15-04:00Thank You Vinyl Groov! It's Been A Great Ride<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/d49b1c15992fee96d6b4275a1de1f494add1df18/original/https-cdn-evbuc-com-images-84489293-340474823469-1-original-20191213-143607.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I walked into a stranger's garage in the fall of 2011, to rehearse with a band for an upcoming, "once-and-done" gig at the Whitaker Center in nearby Harrisburg. It was just going to be that one rehearsal and that one gig. No more. I was in the process of leaving another group I had been with for many years and was not at all looking to become part of another regular band, other than the various groups I led myself. Bands always seem to end up with some type of drama or headache and I didn't need any more of that. I was content to just freelance and lead my own projects. </p>
<p>My mind started changing as soon as I walked into the room. The vibe was chill. Friendly, yet serious. Absent was that all-too-common, band room sense of competing egos trying to restrain themselves. "Ok," I thought, "This is something different." When the music started, those old school R&B tunes sounded at least as good as the records, tapes and cd's I'd been listening to all my life. "Maybe I'll stay if they ask me", I thought. </p>
<p>They did. And for the next 8 years I had the pleasure of making music with a world class band whose vocalists rival the iconic artists they cover. I had never played with a group that oozed so much soul and valued the nuances of supporting parts as much as the lead.</p>
<p>Beyond that, they were all genuinely good people of integrity. That's not as common in the world as it should be, and I appreciated just being around them as much as making music with them. </p>
<p>This Friday, my run with Vinyl Groov comes to end. We play at Maryland Live casino in Hanover, MD and after that, I don't know when or if I'll get the chance to be on stage with them again. There was no band blow up or drama of any kind. I love those people and am always proud to take the stage with them. But after leaving my teaching job last June, I've had to restructure my time. It's become difficult for me to give the band as much time as it requires. I struggled with this decision for months, hoping to somehow figure something out. But in the end, it seemed most fair to all involved if I left the group, so reluctantly, I did. </p>
<p>I cannot stress enough the value I put on the relationships I've made with all the people I've met and worked with through Vinyl Groov. Add to that the fact that, musically, it was the best project I've been involved in on a consistent basis. </p>
<p>There have been many personnel changes in the band throughout my eight years. There are many VG alumni, including 3 who have passed away. I've appreciated the chance to know each person who has come through the band and I'm expecting to stay in contact with my many friends, both current members and alumni. </p>
<p>As with any band, there are enough stories to fill a book. Those are for another day. For now, I want to express my gratitude to everybody I've worked with in VG, past and present, especially Lark Lowery, who leads the group and puts in a ton of work on everybody's behalf. Thanks also to: Dianne Wilson, Eric Jenkins, Brenda Cammack, Yang Han, Monte Carroll, Joe Schrum, Vinny Hunter, Howard Boots, Al Holton, Tony Fountain, Rodney McKay, Jim Hostetter, Ron Dozier, Tony Dozier, Kenny Peterson, Ric Nelson, Dave Wilson, Billy Wray, Greg Toloumnes, Dave Arnold, Jesse Chavez and BVTLive!</p>
<p>It’s been a true pleasure- thanks everyone!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/60261872019-12-17T10:17:26-05:002020-08-26T10:35:25-04:00I've Been Working On The Railroad<p>Trains have long been associated with Christmas. And although I'm not a model train collector, I do get plenty of "train time" during the holidays by working as a brass caroler at the Strasburg Railroad. Each weekend I post similar photos with similar captions on my social media pages and you might wonder why anybody would spend so many hours doing something that seems so monotonous. True, the days are long and unchanging, but they're very satisfying and enjoyable at the same time. It many ways it compares to distance running. You repeat the same simple task over and over for a long period of time. It's tough yet relaxing, building both mental and physical strength. In fact, working on the train has helped me become a better distance runner and vice versa. So for those who've wondered, here's what a day on the Strasburg Railroad Santa trains is like. </p>
<p>On Saturdays, we start about 9:45am by heading into the run down station house to grab our railroad issue, 1900-style bowler hat and if needed, a small book of music. Women skip the hat in exchange for a cape. The hats and capes are part of the brass caroler uniform, along with black pants (men), long black skirts (women), white shirts, vests & ties (men) and the most comfortable black shoes you own. </p>
<p>The walk to up to the platform only takes about 3 minutes but seems much longer on cold, windy days. We put our gear and food in the baggage car, which is like a railroad dorm room party. Everybody's in there! The photographers, the duo of carolers, Santa and his assistants, the brass duo, and sometimes some crewmen. That's the the time for small talk and greetings- once the train rolls there isn't much time for anything except work. </p>
<p>The first Saturday train usually leaves the station at 10am, so the "baggage car party" breaks up, with each little team going to its spot, like a stage actor when "places" are called. We'll make a roughly 9 mile trip from Strasburg to Paradise and back in about 50 minutes. During that trip, every job must be completed. </p>
<p>My job is to perform brass carols on each car of the train with my duo, Holiday Horns. I wrote the arrangements we play and serve as co-contractor, staffing each train with brass, all season long. Our Holiday Horns duo plays about 3-4 songs on each car of the train as it rolls down the track. This year, the trains are 10 cars long, making it a bit more difficult to visit each one before the trip ends. </p>
<p>The trains are usually crowded but the passengers are almost always in a good mood. Santa is definitely the crowd favorite, but people appreciate our music too and they let us know. As the music arranger, the compliments I most appreciate come from the few who comment about the arrangements we're playing. </p>
<p>The train consists of 6 coaches, which are standard passenger cars. There are also 4 specialty cars- dining, lounge/dining, lounge, and first class. Each of these cars presents its own challenges as far as where you can safely stand with a metal horn pressed to your face, without getting run into by a trainman, Santa, or a food server. I lost part of a tooth one year when a dining car waitress bumped my horn as she passed by. </p>
<p>When the train returns to the station, the brass players are at the opposite end from where we started, so we get off the train and walk back up to the front. We have only a few minutes to eat, drink and use the bathroom before the whole thing starts over again. Hour after hour. </p>
<p>Our train leaves the station every hour from 10am-5pm (returning at 6pm) on Saturdays and from 11am-4pm (returning at 5pm) on Sundays. As tiring as the Saturdays can be, the Sundays can be worse with muscles and embouchures still recovering from yesterday's abuse. There's also another train that leaves on the half hour (e.g. 11:30) doing basically the same thing. Each train has a Holiday Horns duo, carolers and Santa so passengers get the same experience no matter when they ride. </p>
<p>For train fans, it doesn't get any better than Strasburg Railroad. The cars and the engine are all authentic and meticulously maintained. Riding feels like a step back in time, especially as you roll past the Lancaster County farmland.</p>
<p>I've been playing the Strasburg Railroad Santa trains for 16 years now and I still enjoy the experience. I'm a Christmas music junkie who gets to perform his own arrangements with friends, for interested listeners, and is well-paid. It's a good gig!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/f973f99dbe298a358af14bec1cbf830ec88cb1b2/original/img-8269.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/59722772019-11-25T12:53:03-05:002021-06-19T10:29:35-04:00The Four Stages Of Teaching<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/2da46cf75e38e235c87798e16e6d051058f998f8/original/fullsizeoutput-3d0.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>Warning: this article is jaded and negative with heavy doses of resentment and burnout. </strong></p>
<p><strong>Further Warning: ignoring it may lead to your own heavy dose of resentment and burnout. </strong></p>
<p><br><strong>The "Journey" Begins </strong></p>
<p>Today, everything is a "journey". It's irritating. There are life journeys, love journeys, faith journeys, career journeys, family journeys... The list never ends! But even though I might puke the next time I hear the word, I will admit that some things really are "journey-like". And, as these things progress from one point to another, they pass through different stages. </p>
<p>The field of education is one of these "journey-like" things and as I've evolved and devolved through its stages, I've attempted to identify, label and describe them. Perhaps these phases are present in other careers as well, but since my experience is with public elementary school teaching, I'm writing from that perspective. </p>
<p>There are four stages of a teaching career, just like there are four stages of cancer. Not to say that a teaching career is like cancer, although it can consume and destroy you like cancer can. </p>
<p>Let's begin our "journey" through The Four Stages of Teaching by examining four hypothetical journal entries- one from each of four hypothetical teachers, each inhabiting one of our four stages. If you can relate to any of these people, you've probably spent some time in their stage. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stage 1: Rainbows, Unicorns, Touching The Future & Saving The World </strong><br>Name: Jordan Mellancamp <br>Position: Third Grade Teacher <br>Experience: 2nd Year </p>
<p>I woke up before my alarm again! Even after being up late every night this week, I wake up each day feeling good and can't wait to get back to school. So far it's been a great year! I spend a lot of time each night making lesson plans and grading papers, but it's totally worth it when I see the kids enjoying the lesson and nailing their assessments. </p>
<p>I"ll admit, teaching is a little tougher than I thought it would be, but I love it! Plus, for the second year in a row, I have my own room and my own class! No more subbing, no more sending job applications, no more interviews- just me and the kids. </p>
<p>Today should be great! I'm rolling out a new science unit with several centers and a few new projects. It took me a long time to plan and prepare this so I hope they like it and really engage themselves. </p>
<p>I do sometimes wish they would behave a little better with these types of activities, but they are kids after all. Plus, I know some of them come from difficult backgrounds. This year I have 1 that's currently living out of the family car, 3 with a parent in jail, and a few more being shuffled back and forth between divorced parents. So I can understand why they sometimes act up in class. </p>
<p>But, if I can just get through and really connect with them, I can help them change their whole lives for the better. I'm sure I can make a difference for them. And when I think about what my "star students" can accomplish when they grow up....Wow! It's so rewarding to see them reaching towards their potential, and knowing that I had a hand in getting them there. I'm lucky- there's nothing else I'd rather do! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stage 2: Human Shield: I'll Protect You </strong><br>Name: Dave Wagner <br>Position: Elementary Music Teacher <br>Experience: 8th Year </p>
<p>Finally, a chance to sit down and relax for a minute- I need it! This year has been the toughest of my career so far. The district's new initiatives are well-intentioned but they just seem to create more work in our already tight schedule. </p>
<p>The job is relentless. There's just not enough time to do everything. We've also had our budgets cut, which is a shame, especially when we see the district spend so much money on their pet projects. We could really use that money to directly impact our kids. </p>
<p>It's not the students' fault that things have gotten a bit rocky. They still deserve the best and I'm trying to give it to them. I'm spending a few hours planning almost every night because I gave up my prep period 3 days each week in order to teach instrument lessons that I otherwise couldn't fit into the schedule (the district chose not to hire any additional, part-time staff again this year). Most days after school we have an ensemble rehearsal or practice for the school play, so the days are long and tiring. Since the budget cuts, I'm spending more money out of pocket to buy supplies. </p>
<p>But like I said, we have a bunch of great kids here and they deserve the best education I can give them. So I'll do what needs to be done to make that happen no matter what obstacles get in the way. And I still love the job! Some of these kids are so talented and most show lots of potential. I'm proud of the progress they've made this year and we aren't finished yet! </p>
<p>Despite some challenges, we've built a program that gives students many opportunities to participate, learn and grow- I just wish the district would make it a little easier for us to run it. But I'm sure the administration understands and appreciates all the extra efforts we're making for the kids, after all most of them were teachers themselves at some point. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stage 3: The Losing Battle- Idealism Dies </strong><br>Name: Karen Lowery <br>Position: 4th Grade Teacher <br>Experience: 15th Year </p>
<p>For God's sake shut up! We've been sitting here in this in-service session for two hours now and the speaker made his point in about fifteen minutes. I have other things I need to be doing right now in my room. Instead, I sit here typing on my laptop, trying to avoid being noticed by an administrator. You know they actually reprimand you for not paying attention at these stupid in-service sessions? Like we're little kids! </p>
<p>This has been the worst week so far of a bad year. I don't know what the administration is thinking most of the time. Each year there are more rules and procedures to follow, more paperwork and record keeping to do, and more stress put on both us teachers and the kids. I basically got scolded by my principal last week because I didn't have my online grade book up to date. The work was graded but I had to prioritize uploading the new info versus adapting my new social studies lesson to meet the needs of the 7 kids in my class that have special education plans. </p>
<p>For the third year in a row I have a kid that, I believe, doesn't belong in a regular classroom. He can't handle the expectations. Every few days he loses it and goes into a rage, throwing things and screaming. The entire class has to leave the room while he finishes up. Not to mention the nearly constant, minor disruptions he causes every time he doesn't want to do something he needs to do. The principal says he has a right to get an education too, like everybody else. But the problem is that the rest of the class is having their education degraded because we spend so much time trying to manage this kid. Last year we were able to have a student like this placed in a different school setting, but it took 6 months of documenting every issue, countless meeting of no consequence, and parental consent. The parents didn't even show up to the meeting the first 4 times we invited them, I guess they had better things to do than to help us help their kid? </p>
<p>Last month, two of my students were arguing in class, during what was supposed to be silent reading time. They had been warned a few minutes earlier but didn't listen, so I reprimanded them pretty sternly and gave them a consequence in accordance with our classroom behavior plan. After school I get an email from the principal asking me to come see him about the incident. One of the kids apparently cried to mom as soon as he got home, and mom is now furious that I reprimanded her son in front of the class because it embarrassed him. So I go meet the principal and he basically tells me that I should have been more lenient, and also should have asked the students to see me in the hallway to discuss their behavior, rather than calling them out in front of the class (which in my opinion is less effective and more time consuming). He also suggested that we set up a meeting between him, the students, and I where he could help us mend our relationship. Are you kidding me? </p>
<p>Our school culture is going down the toilet. Teachers are expected to handle discipline matters in their own room as much as possible, but the administration often doesn't support us. When we send repeat offenders to the office, they're basically given a warning and sent back to class with no consequence. When they return, they just keep causing problems, which has a negative effect on the whole class. As teachers, we used to advocate for the students with extra needs, but nowadays it's often the regular kids that need the advocating. </p>
<p>We talk a lot about student accountability, but it seems as though the teachers are the only ones being held accountable for anything. And, when we try to explain why we don't agree with policies or initiatives, we're made to feel like we don't have the authority to question administrators and are being disrespectful. We're in the classroom everyday trying to teach a room full of kids with diverse educational needs, all the while dealing with all sorts of baggage and nonsense behaviors and still, for the most part, are doing a good job. I think we've earned the right to have our opinions heard and respected. </p>
<p>I don't remember it being like this when I first started teaching. I'm tired. I feel demoralized and under appreciated. There are so many great kids here, but I'm running out of energy for them. The other things are just too draining and unavoidable. I've been out sick 12 days so far this year. My family is worried about me and suggested I get some counseling, which I have. We're only part way through the year and I'm just not sure I can make it. If it weren't for the star students and the nice paycheck, I'd be out of here. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Stage 4: Yeah, Whatever: Living Paycheck To Paycheck </strong><br>Name: Bill Tomlinson <br>Position: 6th Grade Teacher <br>Experience: 23rd Year </p>
<p>Ah, here we go again! A little earlier than usual today. The screaming doesn't usually start until later. But most days, there is a screaming student somewhere in the building. Yesterday one of teachers was bitten and kicked trying to calm a student down while they were "in crisis mode." No thanks. I'm not going to take a beating trying to help a kid who's flipping out. Been there, done that, regretted it. </p>
<p>I've got a few minutes left of my lunch period, just enough to finish up this journal entry and check the Teacher's Pension System retirement calculator one more time. I've decided to leave teaching as soon as it's financially viable. My passion for the job is gone. There are still many things I like about teaching, and there are so many really great young people to work with and to inspire. But my frustration, disappointment and fatigue outweigh those things. </p>
<p>I'm not mad about it anymore. I'm also not fighting to make things better anymore. I've totally adopted the "I just work here" mentality. I do the best I can in the classroom each day while I'm at school. I don't take any work home and I try my best not to think about any school-related matters after hours. Sometimes things go well, other times I fall behind on planning or grading papers or jumping through the hoops of some new district-wide initiative. No matter what, I do my best not to react to the non-sense, take a few deep breaths, and just get through the day. </p>
<p>It's quite a sense of detachment from what I felt during the rest of my career, but this is the way it has to be in order for me to stay healthy and still teach effectively while I'm here. Some of the older teachers tell me they've been in a similar mode for several years and it prolonged their career. I'm not sure I can do that though. Some days it's hard to stay detached. </p>
<p>I look back on the early days of my career and can't imagine recapturing all the energy and passion I poured into the job. All the special projects, all the "over-the-top" lessons, the powerful student connections... All of that stuff was so important back then, but now the most important thing is to keep the paychecks rolling in each week until I can afford to retire in a few years. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>"Journey" Complete </strong></p>
<p>So there you have it. A journey through The Four Stages of Teaching via fictional eye-witness accounts of fictional but not unrealistic teaching careers. </p>
<p>In many ways, these stages of teaching mirror the stages of a broken relationship. And that's alright because my relationship with the field of education is broken. I had a crush on teaching, which grew into a fiery passion once I got to know it. I was blissfully in love with the job, forgetting both that ignorance is bliss and also that bliss is ignorance. Along the way we failed to understand each other, trust was breached, respect was lost, and I felt used and unwanted. The relationship became toxic and needed to end, but it took a few years to make it happen. </p>
<p>Colleagues and I used to joke about these four stages from time to time. It helped us to better understand and cope with whatever situation we were dealing with. The jokes were therapeutic because they reminded us to heed their truths. </p>
<p>In reality, most people don't progress through the stages in strict chronological order. After passing through Stage 1, most teachers float in and out of the other three, constantly flirting with the danger of overstaying in Stage 2. An overdose there leads to the pain of Stage 3, from which you either recover or move into an extended Stage 4 visit. It's a dangerous game no matter what. </p>
<p>So to all of you on your own personal, teaching "journey" (yep, the word did actually make me gag that time), be mindful and self aware. Notice what stage you're in and how long you've been there. Do what you must to avoid getting stuck. Do right by your students but do equally right by your self. And most importantly, make the world better by teaching your students not to call everything a "journey".</p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/59724052019-11-22T13:30:00-05:002021-06-16T11:33:11-04:00Fulginiti Family Band Releases "Blue Christmas" As Fundraiser For Meals On Wheels<p>The Fulginiti Family Band is set to release our version of Blue Christmas on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Proceeds will benefit Meals On Wheels.</p>
<p>The track is a blend of country and New Orleans jazz influences, featuring the vocal harmonies of daughters Bailey & Ally, a "stop and go" New Orleans style rhythm from Todd (father) & Tom (Bailey's significant other), and some plunger-mute trumpet work from Todd. </p>
<p>This release is available by download only at <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com" target="_blank">www.toddfulginiti.com</a> and price is "pay-what-you-want". All proceeds from the track will go to Meals On Wheels, which works at both the national and local level to meet the nutritional and social needs of senior citizens. They do excellent work! Learn more at their <a contents="website." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org" target="_blank">website.</a> </p>
<p>We paid all costs associated with recording the track out of pocket so 100% of all donations will go to Meals On Wheels. Also, we're matching donations for the first $250. In other words, if you buy our song for $10, we'll chip another $10 and Meals On Wheels will have $20 just like that. </p>
<p><a contents="CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULGINITI FAMILY BAND'S BLUE CHRISTMAS" data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULGINITI FAMILY BAND'S BLUE CHRISTMAS</a></p>
<p>This is our second annual, holiday song, charity release. Last year we recorded a chord-free, jazzy version of Jingle Bells with proceeds going to Lancaster's Music For Everyone organization. That track is still available for download at the above <a contents="link." data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store" target="_blank">link.</a></p>
<p>Please share with friends, family, co-workers and others. We're hoping to make a nice donation to Meals On Wheels at the end of the holiday season.</p>
<p>Thanks for your support and Happy Holidays!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/bd816a1050b5a11c7c2e50e0763b095bbe1cbffe/original/blue-christmas.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/59699242019-11-19T13:30:00-05:002019-11-25T13:27:44-05:00Remembering Kenny Peterson<p>Toddy Waddy! Not a nickname I would have picked for myself, but that's how Kenny greeted me every time I came into rehearsal, usually followed by a hug or fist bump. He said it with such joy and warmth that I couldn't help but to like it, despite it sounding like an elementary school insult. It wasn't an insult though- that's not who Kenny Peterson was. Instead, Kenny was the guy who encouraged people, helped them relax and made them feel glad to be where they were. </p>
<p>He passed away a few weeks ago. I only knew him through the few years we spent together in the Vinyl Groov band, but they were some really fun years, both musically and personally, in part because of Kenny. On stage he was a smooth, soulful singer. Off stage he had thousands of stories that made those long, boring "wait" times pass quickly at gigs. He was one of the reasons I chose to join Vinyl Groov instead of the few other bands I was experimenting with at the time. He just had a way of keeping things loose and fun. </p>
<p>Kenny is the third Vinyl Groov band member to have passed since I joined the group roughly ten years ago. The others were vocalist Tony Dozier and bassist Rodney McKay, themselves both great musicians and great people. </p>
<p>Kenny will be missed, as the others are, but I'm glad our paths crossed for a few years. My life is better for it.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/383cc83ed808aee559f6ccc657d377cab6826353/original/img-5511.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/59225392019-10-10T18:10:35-04:002020-08-26T10:33:23-04:00Nursing Homes, Nazis & A Polka Band<p>Everybody has a story. One of the things I like best about playing music is meeting people and hearing some of their stories. Even better than that, is when the music we play invokes a story so meaningful to the teller, that it transports them back to that scene. You can see it in their face and hear it in their voice. It changes them for a little while and makes their life better. </p>
<p>A good example of this was a few nights ago at a retirement village/nursing home in Hershey. It's October, the busy season for German bands like The Happy Wanderers, and we were there to give the residents a concert of traditional German music. The concert room was a hub at which several hallways intersected, so people were passing through right up until concert time. We had our lederhosen on and were getting set up to play when an elderly gentleman came into the room. With a noticeable Dutch accent, he told us that he loves polkas and traditional music of the sort, and that our outfits remind him of his days in Holland during the war. Curious, I asked him to elaborate, which he did. </p>
<p>He was living in Nazi occupied Holland in 1942, attending a school that sounds comparable to an American high school. Sometimes outside musicians would come in and give concerts, in addition to the usual slate of student performances. The repertoire at these concerts was very regulated by the Nazis. Only music that was found favorable by the German government could be performed. In fact, to insure this, the school had several Nazi representatives on staff who had to pre-approve the selections. The same was true for literary texts, visual art presentations, and pretty much everything else. </p>
<p>So here was our new friend, hanging out with some classmates, at a concert, excited to hear some good music. At some point right before the concert began, a few of the musicians began warming up by playing a Glenn Miller tune. Miller was nearing the height of his popularity in America and many in Europe were just as enthralled by the sound as Americans were. As the crowd of young people heard the murmurings of Miller, they got excited and started to clap. </p>
<p>"No! No! You cannot play that music!" shouted someone of Nazi authority. Whether in bravery or foolishness, other musicians began to join in and play the impromptu Glenn Miller warm-up tune. </p>
<p>Our new friend didn't remember the name of the tune they played but he did remember the feeling in the room as most of the band joined in and ignored the Nazi authority figure. They played the entire song and the crowd went crazy. He said the feeling was like having your hands untied from behind your back, realizing that you can jump around and wave your hands in the air again, maybe even fly around. His face was bright with joy as he told us this and through his laugh you could tell that, in his mind, he was right back at school in 1942. </p>
<p>He didn’t mention what happened after that- whether the concert was ended or if anybody got in trouble. I don’t think he cared either way. It happened and it was great, and that was good enough for him. </p>
<p>During that same concert a lady was asking us if we could play "Eins, Zwei, Suffa". Well, we weren't sure what she meant, but we know three songs that have those words. Unfortunately we only realized 2 of them at the time, and although we played them both, we found out after the concert that it was the forgotten song she wanted to hear. She told us a story from her youth and why she loved that song so much. When I played it for her by myself, with the audience out the door and the band halfway packed up, her face lit up and her story became as real in that room as it was when she lived it. </p>
<p>Not every musician enjoys playing nursing home gigs. But stories like these are why many of us really do.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/705b54858bf3b4c20899ecf29285384e4da73863/original/img-3945.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/59126992019-10-02T10:01:22-04:002022-05-28T15:40:11-04:00Gary Miller- Reflections On A Great Man<p>Everybody has energy that washes all over us every time we’re around them. We can’t help it. Some people bring us up, others bring us down- whether we’re doing it consciously or not. Gary Miller was one of those people who brought you up to the point that you forgot whatever little things were bothering you at the time. If you were dealing with big issues, talking to Gary felt good. He was a good listener. He was intelligent, wise, thought provoking, and funny. He was inspirational. </p>
<p>Many people knew Gary a lot better than I did, but his passing last week leaves a hole, even for those of us that only knew him somewhat. I met Gary back in the ’90’s, playing in a band called Rupa Dupa. He was the house manager of the Chameleon Club in Lancaster when it was one of the best clubs on the east coast. Gary was great to work with because he was part music fan, part club manager, and was a musician himself (percussion). </p>
<p>Not long after, we met again in Dave Costarella’s band, D.C. & Company. There are many reasons why D.C. & Company has lasted for several decades, one of them being that the group is like a musical family. The gigs are even sometimes referred to as family reunions. It’s a reunion for the audience too- friends and family getting together to celebrate life and make music. That’s the special quality of the band and that feeling, to me, always came directly from Dave Costarella and Gary Miller. </p>
<p>Gary was inspirational because he did not let his problems define his attitude or his limits even though, due to a rare disease, he eventually had both his legs amputated around the knee. ThanksGivingBack, Lancaster’s long-standing Thanksgiving eve fundraising party, was originally started by Costarella to help Gary deal with medical bills related to his condition and surgery. Nearly 20 years later, the event is still going strong and has helped several people and community groups. </p>
<p>Not long after he lost his first leg, D.C. & Company had a gig in New York City. Gary arrived the night before and stayed with friends, about 30 blocks from the club we were playing. The next day, as we were unloading our equipment, Gary walks around the corner. The conversation went something like this: </p>
<p>“Did you walk?”, somebody asked. </p>
<p>“Yes.” Gary said. </p>
<p>“Why? They have cabs here, you know.” </p>
<p>“Yeah, but it’s a nice day to be outside and get some exercise.” </p>
<p>I know people in fine physical condition who would whine about having to walk the distance Gary chose to walk with one natural leg and one fairly new prosthetic one. If you asked him why he seemed, at times, to do things the hard way, the reply was often a strong, cheerful, “because I can”. </p>
<p>Gary and I are both big Prince fans and went with several others to see him perform in State College years ago. The show was phenomenal, as you would expect, but traffic on the way home was brutal- literally at a stand still. While some of us walked around impatiently outside the van, Gary took off both of his prosthetic legs, lay down across the seat, and went to sleep, happily pointing out that “there are occasional advantages to having half your legs cut off.” </p>
<p>Time after time, Gary proved that your attitude does more to define you than anything else. And your attitude is totally within your control. I’ll miss hanging out with him at gigs and seeing him around town, but I won’t forget the examples he gave us of how to live.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/4cfa643d3f669426616e67a0e3700d763d1a3b79/original/13909156-1354462034568199-8437172484143298474-o.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/58901262019-09-12T18:52:31-04:002020-09-26T09:23:15-04:00Why I Quit Teaching<p>It’s 9:30am on a Thursday morning in September. I’m sitting at home, at my dining room table, writing and giving my dog too many treats. It feels great but not quite normal. Normal for me at this time of day would be standing in front of a room full of elementary kids, trying to teach them about music and life. </p>
<p>But I’m not doing that anymore. I quit back in June. And although I know I did the right thing, some others aren’t so sure. They wonder why I didn’t stay a few years longer to improve my retirement, or why I didn’t line up a new job before I quit my old one. But after 25 years, I could no longer accept what my once beloved profession and workplace had become. So I quit. </p>
<p>It’s hard to summarize years of frustration in one essay, or to boil a laundry list of complaints down to just a few. But generally speaking, I quit because I grew tired of trying to work in a system whose philosophy had grown into something markedly different than my own. Specifically, I saw the needs of the group increasingly crowded out by the needs of the individual, to the detriment of both. </p>
<p>Raising kids is like gardening. If you just plant a seed and walk away, you’ll end up with a confused mess (much like my backyard right now) where each plant thinks it deserves to grow into any space or height it desires, choking out other plants if needed, and taking their resources. The most productive gardens balance the needs of each plant with the needs of the garden as a whole. Plants need pruned and guided. In the end, you have a plot full of strong, healthy plants- each variety with it’s own distinctive traits, flavors and smells. </p>
<p>My school environment was focused on individual freedoms. Pruning was done with dull shears. There was a lack of discipline, and a lack of respect for others. Too often, issues with a few students were allowed to disrupt and effect the education of entire classes. In most instances, the group was devalued in favor of the individual, while the individual’s behavior was not improved. </p>
<p>In real life, inappropriate actions have negative consequences. In school, that often wasn’t true. I got tired of the same students repeatedly disrespecting staff and their classmates with little or no consequence. Teacher actions were often limited by building or district rules. I got tired of seeing defiant students rewarded for agreeing to do the most basic tasks, while more compliant students struggled to get breaks throughout the intense daily schedule. Students sent to the office for discipline issues were often returned to class after a brief talk. Sometimes they were given a few minutes to play ball in the hallway with a staff member to help them calm down and collect themselves. It took a long time for consequences to increase on repeat offenders. </p>
<p>Several times per week, a meltdown would occur. Meltdowns usually involve a student screaming, sometimes becoming violent, sometimes trashing classrooms, sometimes lying on the floor of a room or hallway. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to half an hour or more. Teachers take their classes out of the room to a safer place, while trained staff come in and stay with student until the episode is over. Often, these meltdowns were loud enough to effect several classes at once. Depending on where the meltdowns occured, parts of the building were closed off to staff and students. With each meltdown, the education of the group was disrupted, yet the school’s overall goal was to keep the individual in the classroom and not move them into a more appropriate classroom environment. </p>
<p>I didn’t like what I saw in education over last several years because a few kids were being allowed to negatively impact the whole group. The group didn’t deserve that. Our society can’t afford that either. We need our kids to grow up as bright and well-adjusted as possible- our world has a ton of problems to solve. </p>
<p>The misbehaving individuals weren’t being helped either. Weak discipline doesn’t teach the offender to change their ways. If a speeding ticket was only $5, would you slow down? The kids who needed to be placed in a different educational setting were often left to struggle in the regular classroom, despite the almost superhuman efforts of support staff. I know there are laws that govern this sort of thing, but I believe it’s time to reexamine them and their effect on education. </p>
<p>I’m not saying the whole school system is bad and I’m not necessarily intending to place blame. I’m just reporting what I saw and how I felt about it. Colleagues from other schools and situations have similar stories to tell. I think it’s time to take a hard look at the school environment and make some adjustments. </p>
<p>Those adjustments seem unlikely to happen any time soon. Approaches like mine are often labelled as harsh and old-school. The age of the individual seems entrenched in school as it is in society. So for me, it was time to move on. </p>
<p>I spent over two and a half decades as a teacher and had many wonderful experiences. But things change, and in the end, I just couldn’t continue to work within a system that had lost my respect.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/80d808231a5915e4a2a316537cee1ad06d3f4ec7/original/cw1075f.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/58741432019-08-29T12:11:28-04:002020-08-24T10:23:08-04:00It Wasn't Europe But It Was Still Good<p>Is it ok to be jealous of your kids? I hope so. This summer my daughter Ally spent 6 weeks studying in Spain. After classes, my wife flew over to meet her and they spent the next 2 weeks traveling all over the continent, before Allyʼs boyfriend tagged in for yet another week. </p>
<p>I didnʼt get to go along. And to be honest, I was pretty bummed out about it for a while. They would send me pictures of the amazing sights they had just seen, and Iʼd send them a shot of the lawn I had just mowed, or the dishwasher I had just loaded up. Mind blowing excitement... </p>
<p>My trip for the summer was a week in Milwaukee, as part of the music staff for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americaʼs triennial Churchwide Assembly. I was excited about the assembly itself, having played the last one in New Orleans a few years ago. But I was expecting pretty stale evenings in a boring city, nothing like the endless party of the French Quarter or my familyʼs European adventure. So, I packed a bunch of books and some work projects, thinking Iʼd have lots of time to fill after the dayʼs events were over. </p>
<p>But I seriously underestimated Milwaukee. Never having been there, I knew next nothing about the place, and still know very little. But what I saw was pretty impressive. The architecture is outstanding and there are parks and urban trails everywhere. Remnants of the cityʼs historical German heritage remain, mixing in with todayʼs somewhat more diverse population. </p>
<p>And of course, thereʼs beer. Lots of it! From legendary retired breweries like Pabst and Schlitz to modern gems like Lakefront & New Glarus (Spotted Cow), you almost canʼt avoid the stuff. And why would you want to? Everywhere you go there are cool bars, restaurants and hang out spots. The rivers cut through the city at seemingly every turn, making for plenty of great spots to hang out with friends and enjoy a brew. </p>
<p>From what I saw of the city, it seems like itʼs focused on being a good place to live. Pedestrians, bikers and runners have the advantage of urban trails that make getting around quicker and safer than in many other big cities. Getting outside and staying fit seemed very popular too. Runners seemed to be outnumbered only by dog walkers. Some of the intersections have little automated “flip book” cartoons on the light posts so you donʼt get bored while waiting for the “walk” signal. Some cities give the feeling that theyʼre about business or industry first. Milwaukee had a much different, much better, “residents first” vibe. </p>
<p>Musically, the week was a rarity. Great, purposeful music made with great people. Each of us played a variety of instruments in what seemed like a zillion different styles, representing as many cultures as we could. The players are all very talented, but more importantly, each understands that the role of the music is to enable the peopleʼs worship. This is a different mindset than most “gigs” and demands a more mature, ego-free approach. We provided music for 6 services/Masses throughout the week with over a thousand people attending each one. I think itʼs exciting and inspirational to be part of big gatherings like these and I really enjoyed spending time with the rest of the team. </p>
<p>So no- I didnʼt get to go to Spain, France, Italy, Ireland or England like some people in my family. And yeah, I still am a little jealous. But Iʼm also thankful to have had another opportunity to travel to a new place, learn a little about it, and make meaningful music with great people. For pics of the trip, head to the <a contents="photos " data-link-label="Photos" data-link-type="page" href="/photos">photos </a>page or dig around on <a contents="Facebook." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/toddfulginitientertainment/" target="_blank">Facebook.</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/a4834cfa7aef91ac1b65b4b9d9372540075294ae/original/67832277-2281584371895169-8121090236777234432-n.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57902932019-06-13T11:20:26-04:002019-06-18T15:25:48-04:00Todd Fulginiti Quintet presents Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue<p>Every once in awhile, something happens that changes everything. Smallpox is cured. The internet is invented. Your baby is born. Musically, one of those moments happened in New York on March 2 and April 22, 1959. On those dates, the Miles Davis Sextet recorded what would become one of the most influential albums of all time. Not just in jazz, but in all of music. </p>
<p>The album is Kind Of Blue. And today, 60 years after its initial release, it is still the best selling jazz album of all time. </p>
<p>Why was this album such a big deal? In the late ’50’s jazz was still heavily influenced by be-boppers like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. The songs were full of chord changes and the musicians played over top of an ever-changing harmonic landscape. Improvisations were guided and in many ways constrained by the fast moving chord progressions. With Kind Of Blue, the approach is the opposite. The harmonic structure is much more sparse, and individual chords last much longer than in bebop. This allows players to explore the colors and nuances of each chord, and to think more melodically. In fact, it forces improvisers to be creative and melodic or risk becoming tiresome and repetitious. The change in sound was striking, and to many listeners, welcome. This modal approach to jazz become known as cool jazz. </p>
<p>Why is Kind Of Blue still a big deal? At the risk of being overly simplistic, Kind Of Blue is still a big deal because people still like it. Even people who say they don’t like jazz, usually like Kind Of Blue. The music is non-threatening. You don’t have to be a jazz scholar to understand it. It asks listeners to free their mind, letting the moods and colors take you where they will. It sounds mysterious yet familiar. </p>
<p>As a result, the album’s impact on the music world has been huge. About half of the 6 songs on the record have been canonized into the repertoire of jazz standards, songs that all players study and most jazz lovers recognize. The “cool” sound of the music was something serious musicians of all styles had to acknowledge. For some, the new sound infiltrated their own music and left its mark on their listeners as well. </p>
<p>Kind Of Blue definitely left an imprint on me. I remember the day my girlfriend’s Dad (later father-in-law) first played it for me. I was in high school and was just getting into jazz. He was an experienced jazz musician himself, eager to share his favorite music with a rookie like me. The colors of the music struck me immediately. The sparse, mellow lines appealed to my personality much more than the jazz I had heard to that point. </p>
<p>I still love those sounds and am very excited for our upcoming Kind Of Blue show at Tellus 360 in Lancaster. It happens on June 20 at 7;30pm in the basement room called An Sibin. It’s an intimate, 55 seat room with a great vibe. I think it’s, no doubt, the best listening room in town. We’re performing the entire album plus a few other Miles Davis tunes to round out the evening. </p>
<p>Tickets are available here: https://tellus360.ticketfly.com/ </p>
<p>Personnel for the night couldn’t be better. The quintet will be Ryan Kauffman (sax), Tom Hilliker (bass), Chris Loser (drums), myself (trumpet) and special guest Steve Rudolph (piano). </p>
<p>It’s going to be a great night of music- I hope you can join us. And even if you can’t, buy a copy of the original album, or cue it up on Youtube or Spotify and treat yourself to some of the best music ever made. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/fc0e6631c3720bf233b1a60d08ff62f53d61d3a4/original/vg.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57894122019-06-12T16:57:53-04:002019-06-22T13:02:00-04:00My Room, My Ex: A Teacher's Story<p>I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. The day I say goodbye to my room. We’ve been together for 25 years. Even longer if you count the time we spent together before we got serious. </p>
<p>We were together while my kids grew from toddler to adult. We were together through four Presidents. We were together the day the planes crashed into the towers, and a few days after the Philadelphia Eagles finally won the Super Bowl. </p>
<p>We were together through sickness and in health, for richer and poorer; like a married couple. And like some married couples, I could see our divorce brewing years before it happened. I feel like we’ve spent a lifetime together, but also like leaving brings total rebirth. </p>
<p>We met in the fall of 1990 when I was a senior at Millersville University, studying music education. I was assigned to do my student teaching in a school district about 16 miles northeast of there, in what would later become my room. Back then it had a full wall of windows, and another wall covered oddly in pink felt. I thought it looked great! </p>
<p>Though trained to be a band director, I was really falling in love with teaching general music. Thanks to a great co-operating teacher and a welcoming faculty, I managed to do pretty good job. I was sad to leave when the semester ended, but I had no choice. </p>
<p>I moved on to other rooms in other districts, but still was wishing to be back where I started. It took several years, but in 1996 we were reunited and I was given the job of general music teacher. </p>
<p>Over the next decade and a half we were almost inseparable. We worked long hours together, started lots of new projects, and created a laboratory for musical and creative thinking. We raised literally thousands of kids, including the few dozen that went on to become successful professional musicians. </p>
<p>It was very satisfying. But it was also pretty intense. Too intense. I realized that I needed to strike a better balance between my room and the rest of my life. I wanted to try, but our schedules and working conditions changed despite my protests, threatening to erode all we had accomplished while dampening the development of our current kids. We would need to work harder to achieve the same results. </p>
<p>So we continued, business as usual, until one of us got sick. While my room was being remodeled and upgraded as part of a school-wide construction project, I was being quickly torn down by an exhausted depression, with no plan for a rebuild. </p>
<p>Our relationship had to change, and it did. I started pulling back, spending more time away. I began to not always be fully present when we were together. I sometimes lacked energy. I constantly feared revisiting the intensity that had burned me in the past. </p>
<p>We went on together though, still raising kids and doing our thing. Our relationship remained very good, but the spark that made it special hadn’t returned. It wasn’t going to. </p>
<p>As we got older, our interests diverged. We developed differing opinions on how to manage our programs. We had major, philosophical disagreements about how to raise our kids. I began to lose respect for that which I once loved. </p>
<p>Despite our feelings towards each other, the daily demands of our relationship were unrelenting. Our kids still needed the things that kids need, but we argued over whether or not we were giving them those things. I didn’t think we were. We were fully engaged on separate paths, and neither one of us was willing or able to change. </p>
<p>As we labored on, I began to resent the time we had to spend together and started looking for something else. Something that would provide the spark that once defined my room and I. </p>
<p>I grew constantly more restless and less engaged. Pretty sure our relationship was over, I needed to get away and clear my head. So, in June 2017, I moved out. We were separated for nearly nine months, about as long as a full school year. That sabbatical was good for both of us and cemented in my mind what I needed to do. Get a divorce. </p>
<p>I know now why people say divorce is tricky. It takes a while. Both sides need certain things in order to get out of the relationship. There are financial issues to address. There’s a lot of stuff to sort through, divide up and pack. Somebody new needs to be brought in to help raise the kids. </p>
<p>Our divorce becomes final only a few days from now and looking back on those 25 years, I’m not nearly as nostalgic or sentimental as I would typically be. I think that’s a good sign. Old, broken relationships can be too difficult to mend. Sometimes it’s best just to appreciate them for what they were, and move on.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/f19afa28d7f6de3f1835bd589a998c40b6416086/original/c721508e0818650bd814ee7abd3147e5-classroom-layout-classroom-projects.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57775442019-06-02T19:43:16-04:002021-06-26T01:57:37-04:00The Zembo Mosque: A Hopefully-Not-Forgotten Gem Of Harrisburg<p>Zembo Mosque. Even the name sounds cool! But if you've ever been in the place, you know that's just the beginning. Vinyl Groov played a private event at the mosque this past Saturday night and I was once again reminded of how impressive the building is. If you've never been there, google-up some pics. They didn't mess around trying to cut corners and do things on the cheap. The architecture and decor of the building wreak of pride and purpose, letting visitors know that it was designed to be a real destination, not just a place to see an event. </p>
<p>It had been years since I was inside the mosque so I took a stroll around in between our 2 sets. The place is basically a large square with the main room being a large, open floor with a huge, raised stage on one end and multi-level, arena style seating around the three remaining sides. Around the perimeter is a hallway with doors to various club offices. Up front are the spectacular lobby and ballroom, which remind me of the Morocco pavilion at Epcot (sorry, that's about the extent of my world travel experience). Wikipedia says the style is an example of Moorish Revival architecture.</p>
<p>As I was wandering around, I ran into one of the people in charge of the place. While marveling at the old-school craftsmanship, he told me that they're struggling to keep the building up and running. Taxes are very high. The mechanicals are old and in need of repair. Lack of air-conditioning in the main event room turns away some promoters and would be very expensive to install. Fraternal organization memberships are way down, including in the Shriners (a Masonic group that built, owns and runs the mosque). </p>
<p>The Shriners exist to help raise money for Shriners Children's Hospitals. In an attempt to both raise money for their cause and escape the increasing challenges of the building, the Shriners sold the Mosque to an investor in 2018. Or so they thought. The investor pulled out after realizing that the building would be more expensive to update than originally thought. So it's back to the struggle for the Shriners and their fabulous old mosque.</p>
<p>Construction on the mosque started in 1928 and the doors opened in 1930. The building is typical of the period between World Wars I and II, a time when architecture in the United States reached unparalleled artistic and mechanical heights. We really don't build things like that these days. In today's dollars,the artistic details alone would be enough to blow most modern construction budgets.</p>
<p>The Zembo Mosque is one of those places that make Central Pennsylvania a cool and interesting place to live and I hope it survives for the next generations to enjoy as well. </p>
<p>I remember seeing a show there as a little kid, but I'm interested in hearing from you. What did you see or do at the Zembo Mosque? Add a comment!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/dc0bbe431b346012827a6d6aa3eac597e2ab258d/original/s-l300.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57221452019-04-16T19:52:14-04:002022-05-31T11:17:01-04:00It Sucks To Suck<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/4ea6dd043d6a6899d21a31df59ea9c1c6d1b6287/original/images.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Young people have a phrase. “It sucks to suck.” And it’s true. It really does suck to suck. Whether it’s playing music or sports, working your job, or whatever else. It just doesn’t feel good to not perform well. </p>
<p>As a professional musician for the past 30 years, I’ve had some experience with screwing up on the bandstand. Although we constantly try to eliminate it, mistakes are just part of the deal. Perfection is rare if not a complete fantasy. So what can we do when we’ve gone out and sucked? Here’s what I’ve learned. </p>
<p>As far as musical performance goes, once the “suck” is out there, you can’t get it back. Sometimes an apology to your bandmates may be in order, but otherwise all that can be done in the moment is to move on. </p>
<p>The key is to prevent the “suck” from happening in the first place. It’s just like that old saying, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” It’s cliche but true. So what is preparing? </p>
<p>Preparing might mean the obvious things like keeping your chops in shape, having your technique and playing skills at their best, or studying the music until you’re confident you’re going to play it well. </p>
<p>Preparing might mean more subtle things too, like knowing who’s on the gig with you, what type of music/songs they’re likely to call, or what the vibe or energy of the group is likely to be. Bringing the right equipment helps a lot too. </p>
<p>Even more subtly, preparing might mean showing up to the gig in your best mental and physical shape. Well-rested, properly fed, mentally refreshed, and with a strong body. It’s amazing how much better everything feels when we exercise regularly. That feeling transfers to music performance as well. </p>
<p>Preparing also means practical stuff like knowing how long it takes to get to the venue, arriving early enough to set-up, greet the other musicians, change clothes if needed, warm-up and get settled before starting time. Driving like a maniac to arrive at the gig 15 minutes before starting puts stress on you, the band leader, and everybody else. Not cool. I used to do that all the time when I was younger, and didn’t realize how stressed I was until I took my wife’s advice and got to the gig a little earlier. Big mental improvement! </p>
<p>But sometimes, even with the best preparation, things don’t go well. Sometimes unexpected things happen that change the dynamic of the gig and effect our performance. Just like in any other area of life, we need to stay calm, deal with things the best we can, and do our best. Maybe we don’t end up playing as well as we would have otherwise, but keeping a relaxed, positive attitude will enable us to do the best we can in any situation. </p>
<p>Last month I played a wedding on Long Island in New York with great band called Modern Luxe. The way things were scheduled, the band and crew had about 50 minutes to set everything up and be ready to play before the guests came in. Usually 2 hours is allowed for set-up. Everybody stayed calm and did their jobs as best they could. We were ready just a few minutes after guests began arriving, skipped sound check altogether, and started the show as if everything was fine. And it was fine. Things went great! Had the band let themselves get all worked up emotionally, wasting time and energy complaining about the situation, we probably would have gotten less done. We also would have started the gig in the wrong state of mind and may have sucked. Like the T-shirts say: Keep Calm And Carry On </p>
<p>Even when everything is perfect, sometimes we still suck. We’re human, and we make mistakes. Sometimes they’re big, ugly, embarrassing mistakes in front of lots of people. That sucks. But at their core, music mistakes are just bad sounds. They don’t hurt anybody. It’s not like brain surgery or anesthesiology where mistakes can kill people. We’re just playing music. </p>
<p>Several years ago I was playing Handel’s “Messiah” with a massed choir in Lancaster. The conductor wanted to fancy-up the end of the Hallelujah chorus by inserting a special cue for the timpani player, right before my cue to enter. The timpani cue came out of a silence. At the performance, I forgot about the extra timpani cue and came in loud, strong, totally alone (except for the timpani) and totally wrong. Embarrassing? Oh yeah! But nobody got hurt and no lives were negatively effected for more than a few seconds. Had I made a blunder that big in the medical profession, people might have died. Fortunately for musicians, music is just music. </p>
<p>When we do suck, mental strength and attitude is a key to recovery. If we start to suck early on in the gig, it’s important to not let that dictate the rest of the show. </p>
<p>When I was younger, I would let a few early mistakes ruin me for the rest of the night. I’d think, “I’m just having a bad night”, or “I’ll do better tomorrow”. I had 2 trumpet player friends, both named Doug, that were the total opposite of me. If they struggled early in a gig, they would somehow turn it around and play great. By the end of the gig, nobody remembered the few little mistakes they made early on, just all the great things they did during the rest of the concert. They stayed confident and determined. I copied their mental approach and it’s made a big difference! </p>
<p>Lastly, when we suck, we just have to let it go and move on. Unless it’s the last song of the night, there’s always something up next that needs our full attention. Playing one song while reminiscing about screw-ups on the last is a very bad recipe for success. Football defensive backs have it down. They might get burned for a touchdown one play, but they’re right back at it playing aggressive, confident defense on the next play. After the game, they watch the tape, analyze their mistakes, and learn from them. </p>
<p>Performers need to do the same. Forget the past and focus on what’s next. After the gig, take the time to reflect on what may have contributed to our episode of “suck”, take steps to prevent it in the future if we can, and then move on. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, no matter how good we get at our craft, there will be times when we think we’ve sucked. Hopefully, if we prepare, reflect and keep the right attitude, those times will be few and far between. And if they aren’t, well thank goodness nobody dies of bad music.</p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57018962019-03-31T20:19:20-04:002019-03-31T23:39:06-04:00Beer & The Birth Of The Big Band<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/c2b5189c487b3a28b121fc4d04af0d491b6302ed/original/18309075-10211108329002768-1547700761-n.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Beer. Size matters. Three and a half minutes. These things are surprisingly interrelated, as I found out recently, but not in the way you might be thinking. This is a music blog! So if you can keep your mind out of the gutter, I’d like to share a little research I did for some recent big band gigs. </p>
<p>I was going to write about how the tremendously popular big bands of the 1930’s and ’40’s were nearly gone by the early ’50’s. That’s an interesting story. But in researching that, I came across an even more interesting and less frequently told story- the one about how the big bands even came to exist in the first place. Enter beer, size matters and three and a half minutes. </p>
<p>So how and why did it happen? Washington DC trombonist, bandleader and journalist Eric Felten shed some light on that in an article written for The Weekly Standard back in 1996. Felton notes that, prior to 1930, jazz was performed by small groups of usually not more than 6 musicians. Even today, the standard instrumentation for 1920’s and traditional jazz/dixieland bands adds up to about 6 players. </p>
<p>The job of club musicians in those days was to provide a strong beat for dancers. Most clubs and dance halls were pretty small back then so the small groups made sense on a number of levels. From a practical standpoint, the small bands were able to produce enough sound to fill the small rooms they were playing. Musically, the small groups gave the players a chance to improvise both solos and arrangements, as there weren’t a lot of other players on hand to get in each other’s way. From a business perspective, small bands meant fewer musicians for bandleaders to pay, better rates for club owners booking bands, and presumably good wages for the musicians who played. </p>
<p>So what changed? According again to Felten’s article, the first key to the big band’s development was the ratification of the 21rst amendment, the one that ended Prohibition. Beer. </p>
<p>With alcohol legal again throughout the country, people took their hidden, private parties back out into the public. This led to the need for larger dance halls, clubs and public partying spaces. Club size began to matter. As these larger clubs became reality, the dance bands of the time were faced with a problem. How could they project their sound throughout the whole club and keep dancers on the floor? Today’s electronic sound systems didn’t exist back then, so the only options were adding players and organizing the music differently. Size started to matter for the band too. </p>
<p>But neither step was taken recklessly. It was the 1930’s, The Great Depression, and the last thing any business-minded musician wanted to do was to increase payroll. Musically, the additional players would cause a “too many cooks in the kitchen” scenario that would inhibit or kill outright the group improvisation that defined small group jazz of the time. </p>
<p>Musically, the rhythm section, (piano, bass, drums & guitar) had to abandon their previous style of playing off each other, and instead play with each other to project a steady, pounding rhythm throughout the large hall. The same was true for the horns. Rather than improvising around each other within the group, the new big band horns had to be more organized, playing rhythmic riffs together and projecting them over the rhythm section and across the dance floor. </p>
<p>This new, groove oriented, big band style of jazz featured long, vamping songs designed to keep dancers on the floor. Decades later, pop musicians would call these “12 inch dance” versions or “album” versions, meant to be played in clubs for dancers. But that doesn’t mean recorded music had no effect on the big bands of the 1930’s, it actually had a pretty profound impact. </p>
<p>Three and a half minutes. That was the length of one side of a record in the 1930’s. So, if a band leader wanted his music recorded, the long, vamping dance grooves of the club were just not going to work. This forced the arrangements to be carefully thought out and edited, presenting all the best parts of the music without “wasting” record space on sounds better left in the dance hall. The limitation of record length may have shaped the sound of big band jazz more than any other. </p>
<p>Beer. Size matters. Three and a half minutes. Big Band jazz. All related. </p>
<p>Since it’s beginning, jazz has grown up like an infant, never staying in any one phase very long. The big band era was no exception, and the entire concept of big band writing began to change almost as soon as it developed. Even so, we are left with a catalog of outstanding music, co-created by three unlikely partners. Grab a beer, put on a classic big band recording (by Ellington, Basie, etc.) and take a listen. A lot can happen in three and a half minutes.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/56518822019-02-20T12:58:36-05:002019-02-20T20:08:40-05:00Get To Lancaster Roots & Blues This Weekend<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/f96ed05965398e5bec2bf891bdeaaf8c523bed95/original/screen-shot-2019-02-20-at-8-06-16-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Get to Roots & Blues this weekend! I won't waste my time trying to think of a more creative way to say it- just go! If you've been absent over the past several years and don't know, Lancaster Roots & Blues is a music festival created by Rich Ruoff that stageroughly 60 artists on about 8 stages throughout the city over one weekend. This is the weekend.</p>
<p>The music is a mix of national and local artists and covers many styles. Sometimes the artists have name recognition and sometimes they don't. The key is not to let that determine whether or not you show up. I can't tell you how many great bands and artists I discovered over the last several years just by exploring the schedule and catching as many acts as possible. Sometimes these were very well-known acts I just wasn't hip to. Other times they were true upstarts, just trying to reach a wider audience. Either way, it's one of the best weekends of the year in Lancaster if you like music. There is also a visual art element this year.</p>
<p>Ticket prices are fair considering all there is to hear. About $160 for the whole weekend. There are also 1 and 2 day passes available. This is the first year I actually had to buy a ticket. I usually perform at it with one of my bands and part of the compensation for the gig includes a 3 day festival pass. </p>
<p>I won't bore you with a list my favorite acts from the past, or famous acts that have played the festival, or even of people I'm looking forward to seeing this year. Just get yourself downtown this weekend, get a ticket and a schedule, and start going to hear music. I'll be shocked if you don't have a great time.</p>
<p>For more info, visit the Lancaster Roots & Blues website:</p>
<p><a contents="https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/artist/hubby-jenkins/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/artist/hubby-jenkins/">https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/artist/hubby-jenkins/</a></p>
<p>See you around town this weekend!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/57713712019-02-14T17:25:00-05:002019-05-29T09:24:52-04:00All The Way To Lancaster For Roots & Blues<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/7418cb1cbea3094363f8476179f0819b74254a5a/original/lancaster-square1-436x256.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>All the way to Lancaster? What?! When I first moved to Lititz from Lancaster about 18 years ago I was surprised to hear that phrase over and over again. All the way to Lancaster? What does that mean? </p>
<p>People seemed amazed that I would drive such a great distance for things such as a restaurant, live music, a theater show, a store, a business, an activity with the kids. That great distance I travelled was 8 miles. All the way to Lancaster - just 8 miles. </p>
<p>Granted, I grew up in Lancaster and its culture is part of me. But this “all the way to Lancaster” thing just sounded weird. “Don’t people from Lititz go into the city at all?”, I wondered. Turns out the answer to that question was mostly “no”. At least with the people I knew. And some of these people were my new neighbors and friends! They know it’s only 8 miles, right? </p>
<p>So I asked some folks why they treated those 8 miles like 8 thousand. Turns out it wasn’t just about the miles. It was also about perception. Fear of the unknown. And in some cases, fear of the different. I love Lititz, but let’s be honest- it’s not a treasure trove of diversity. And that sets some people up to misperceive things. </p>
<p>Over the past 18 years since the “all the way to Lancaster” epidemic, the city has grown in some cool new ways. The restaurants are still great. There are some fun nightlife spots. The live entertainment, music and theater is top notch. The art houses are nationally recognized. The shopping is unique. There’s a lot of interesting history too. </p>
<p>Admittedly, I don’t hear that “all the way...” phrase as much as I used to, but I still get the impression that some of us Lititz residents still resist going into Lancaster. </p>
<p>That needs to change! Those 8 miles are as short now as they were when I first moved here. If you’re not sure about this whole “visit the city” thing, the only way to figure it out is to go in there and see for yourself. And I don’t just mean going to the crowded, strip- mall-choked, outer-rim in Manheim Township. I mean actually crossing over the bridge, beside the train station, past Clipper Magazine Stadium and getting downtown. All the way downtown- the full 8 miles! </p>
<p>Of all that Lancaster has to offer, the best event to take advantage of, in my opinion, is coming up this month from February 22-24. Lancaster Roots & Blues. Roots & Blues is a festival of live music taking place over 3 days at a variety of venues throughout the downtown area. The artist list includes national, regional and local acts of many styles. It’s cliche to say it has something for everyone but it really does. Loud, hard- rocking blues. Mellow singer-songwriters. Country & bluegrass. Jazz. Lots more. </p>
<p>Having performed at the festival several times and attended each year as a music- lover, I can vouch for the quality of the whole experience. You hop from venue to venue within a several block area of the downtown, listening to great bands and stopping by Lancaster’s array of interesting bars and restaurants as you wish. </p>
<p>As a musician, Roots & Blues weekend is like a professional development seminar. As a music fan, it’s just plain fun. As a native Lancastrian, it’s an exciting way to experience the city I love. And as a Lititz resident, it’s a great opportunity to encourage my fellow townspeople to make that 8 mile journey into a city that has much more to offer you than you may realize. </p>
<p>So go ahead. Give Lancaster a try. Go to Roots & Blues if you can. Drive all the way in to Lancaster. Those 8 miles isn’t that far.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/56225702019-01-31T23:13:09-05:002020-03-23T11:21:49-04:00When Stress Is The Teacher, Remember The Lesson<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/862bcf9fa94b0224773c1f3cbaf9c2d995470819/original/stress.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>In hindsight, I was all worked up over nothing. But at the time, I was so stressed I didn’t know what to do with myself. So I ate too much. Then I didn’t eat enough. I slept too much. Then I didn’t sleep enough. I practiced like crazy. Then I quit practicing and diverted my attention to something else. No matter what I did, it didn’t work. </p>
<p>I was all out of whack because my senior college trumpet recital was coming up. I wanted it to be great and was worried that I couldn’t make it happen. So despite having my chops in great shape and my practice routine down to a science, I was headed toward disaster because my mind was wrecked worse than a freshman at their first college party. </p>
<p>I needed to call timeout and slow my mind down. So, even though it was February, my girlfriend and I packed some warm clothes and headed to Rehoboth Beach for the weekend. The beach always represents a good mix of excitement and calm for me. It gives me whichever of those I need at the time. That time I needed all calm, and that’s what I got. I also got to experience the beach’s wintertime alter-ego and I loved it! </p>
<p>Several good things happened from that trip. One was that I got my head together and realized that playing music is not a life or death situation. My life did not depend on how well I performed at one recital. Another was that my girlfriend (who is now my wife) and I discovered how beneficial it is to take some time to chill out and do nothing. The beach town was peaceful, beautiful and perfectly slow-paced in mid February. </p>
<p>That winter beach weekend helped my recital to turn out really well. It also helped us establish a family tradition of spending a long weekend at the beach each winter. We look forward to it all year and sometimes prefer it to the craziness of summertime visits. Those first trips were just my wife and I, then came many great trips with the kids. Today starts this year's annual winter trip, and for the second year in a row, it’s just the two of us again. Just like college except for those 30 years in between. </p>
<p>So no gigs this weekend, no social media music posts, no practicing, no contacting clients. Instead we’ll read, sleep late, eat pizza, watch the Super Bowl, take a hike, and be reminded that life in the slow lane can be healthy and good!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/56023652019-01-18T16:59:51-05:002019-05-28T17:01:15-04:00Coach Me Up, I'm A Rookie<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/cd2f4e5c2eaa324f746f9f0f35eb4e7a2c738ab6/original/rookie.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" />This past year was my rookie season in the “record sales” department. The Cat’s Pajamas Old School Jazz Band released an album over the summer, and the Fulginiti Family Band released a holiday single for charity. Both were fun and satisfying projects to complete, but as most rookies do, I think I “left some plays on the field”, particularly with the Fulginiti Family Band project. The problem is that I don’t really know what mistakes I made. That’s where I’m hoping to get some help from you. </p>
<p>The Cat’s Pajamas album is selling steadily at shows and online, but our Family Band single, Jingle Bells, did not do nearly as well as we had hoped. Our plan was to sell the single online for donations and to give that money to Music For Everyone of Lancaster. We did that, but only raised $200. </p>
<p>We’re looking to release another single for another community group later this year, and we need your opinion on how we can increase sales and get people interested in buying the track, which means more donations to the charity we select.</p>
<p>Here are a few things we’ve heard so far, in no certain order: </p>
<p>1. Offer pre-orders <br>2. Downloading to phones and computers is inconvenient unless you use iTunes, which doesn’t have a “pay-what-you-want” option <br>3. Sell download cards or something physical <br>4. Release an EP instead of a single <br>5. Advertise more/better <br>6. Give proceeds to a more appealing charity </p>
<p>Please comment with thoughts on how we can make our next release more appealing, successful, and beneficial for a local charity. We appreciate polite honesty. </p>
<p>Thanks for your support and feedback. And as they say in football- we’ll take a look at the tape, make some adjustments, and get this thing turned around. </p>
<p>Happy New Year! </p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/55092672018-11-19T08:01:24-05:002019-05-28T17:01:31-04:00Family Band Releases Holiday Single For Charity<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/5f378fc16dc4bb8bf2510ad66160160c7cead732/original/2.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Aren't there enough versions of Jingle Bells already? We don't think so! The Fulginiti Family Band is proud to announce the release of our first annual holiday single- Jingle Bells. This year, all proceeds are going to Music For Everyone, a Lancaster area non-profit that funds local, school music programs. Price is “pay-what-you-want”. We’re hoping you’re in the holiday-giving mood. </p>
<p>There are several ways to purchase the track, including right here at <a contents="www.toddfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.toddfulginiti.com">www.toddfulginiti.com</a></p>
<p>Jingle Bells is also available at <a contents="CD Baby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fulginitifamilyband.hearnow.com" target="_blank">CD Baby</a>, <a contents="BandCamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fulginitifamilyband.bandcamp.com/releases">BandCamp</a> or <a contents="www.baileyfulginiti.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.baileyfulginiti.com">www.baileyfulginiti.com</a>. It should also soon be available at iTunes, Amazon, Google Music, Spotify and Pandora as well.</p>
<p>We have received several MFE grants in the school district where I teach, and both of my kids have benefitted from grants as well at the schools they grew up attending. Music For Everyone is an extremely well-run group who makes the most of their opportunity to make our community better. They aren’t focused just on schools though. If you’ve ever banged out a few notes on one of Lancaster’s outdoor pianos, you can thank Music For Everyone. They really do mean music for everyone. </p>
<p>The story of our Jingle Bell fund raiser track starts back in the spring when we were planning out a Family Band recording session for the summer. The Family Band is my daughter Bailey (vocals), daughter Ally (vocals, guitar, percussion), Bailey’s boyfriend Tom (bass) and myself (trumpet, percussion, vocals). The original idea was to do 3-4 Christmas songs and release a mini-EP. Then we got invited to play our friends wedding, plus a few other gigs and before we knew it- the recording session was on us and we hadn’t worked out any of the Christmas arrangements we had talked about. </p>
<p>So we changed plans, scrapped the Christmas idea and went into the studio to record something we were playing lot of at the time- old time country songs. (Those will be probably be released this summer with proceeds going to another organization.) </p>
<p>Bailey was bummed that we had scrapped the Christmas tunes, and while in the studio, suggested we try a jazzy version of Jingle Bells. Ally was outside taking a break, so Tom and I messed around with a Latin feel in the verses, switching to swing for the choruses. We were going to give it 10 minutes and see if it went anywhere. If so, we’d get Ally to add the guitar. If not, we’d scrap it and just stick with the country tunes. </p>
<p>The first take went well. We ran another take, and after listening to it, decided to skip the guitar and go chord free. Ally added the jingle bells instead and we stopped there. The track has a pretty open sound that lets the bass line and melody weave around each other over top of the cajon and jingle bell rhythms. </p>
<p>The Fulginiti Family Band is planning to release one single over the summer and one over the holidays, each year. Every release is going to be designated for a Lancaster area non-profit and all proceeds will go to them. </p>
<p>So please help us build community and strengthen local music programs by buying our Jingle Bells track, and tell your friends to do the same! </p>
<p>Merry Christmas!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/54013472018-11-13T17:35:00-05:002019-05-28T17:34:11-04:00Behaving Badly: Observations From The Bandstand<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/029223a173d276ed413e723b83ab81d2f741737e/original/images.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">As humans, we're all born with a few "not-so-adorable" traits that really get on other people’s nerves. It's ok though. Hopefully we've all learned to tolerate each other and to get along well for the most part. But despite our generally good, accepting and forgiving nature, there are certain things we can do that really try the patience of everybody around us, especially as we sit in theaters, bars, concerts and restaurants. These things are on full display to us musicians, who spend a good bit of time watching people interact as we scan the crowd during performances and set breaks.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">So in the interest of human brotherhood and happy audiences, here are 10 commonly observed behaviors to avoid at venues of various kinds.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>1. Cackle Screaming & Bro Yells:</strong> Cackle Screaming is the term I use to describe the half-laugh/half-scream that erupts out of some women after several glasses of whatever it is they're drinking. Usually reserved for bar and restaurant situations, the Cackle Scream often happens during periods of relatively low crowd noise, although it is certainly capable of cutting through the loudest of rooms. A startled silence usually follows the Cackle Scream while others in the room process the origin of such a disturbing sound. Men aren't off the hook though. Bro Yells are basically the male equivalent of the Cackle Scream except that men usually yell words like "bro" or "dude", or perhaps some other barely intelligible phrase. Bro Yells sometimes come with another irritating characteristic- arm swinging. Whether swung up, down, backward, forward, in or out, the arms usually ending up hitting innocent bystanders, adding to the irritation.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>2. Your Baby Is My Baby</strong>: As any parent knows, eating out or attending concerts with very young children is a risky venture, as unpredictable as a game of craps. Your Baby Is My Baby occurs when Junior's behavior gets out of control and the parents do nothing about it, allowing everybody else to suffer as well. Junior should not be screaming, talking loudly, fidgeting excessively or running around the place. Junior's behavior should not distract others from listening to the music, watching the show, or carrying on with conversation or dinner. If any of these things occur, Junior needs to be taken out of the room by a parent. Yeah, that stinks for Mom & Dad, but that's parenting. Plus, it stinks worse for everybody else if Mom & Dad don't take care of business with Junior.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>3. The 24/7 Comment Period</strong>: Attending concerts, theater shows and movies is not the same thing as watching YouTube videos at home with friends. At home, it's totally cool to talk before, during and after each video. It's ok to give all of your opinions anytime you wish. The 24/7 Comment Period occurs when concert goers don't know that YouTube rules do not apply to live concert performances. In live settings, it's only ok to share comments between pieces, during applause, at intermission, or after the show. And people who straight-up talk during the performance are the worst! I don't know why, but we seem to have forgotten how to whisper. Now many of us just talk full volume in all situations. As an experiment, the next time you feel the urge to say something during a performance, stop and imagine what would happen if everybody in the audience did it too. </span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">4. Arrive Late But Don't Wait: </span></strong><span class="font_regular">This bad behavior is seen in more formal concert settings when latecomers allow their tardiness to effect those already in their seats. By itself, showing up late to an event is not a problem. Life gets messy and plans get derailed sometimes. The problem of Arrive Late But Don't Wait occurs when latecomers fumble around in the dark, looking for their seats, often shining cell phone lights, climb over others to get to their seats, and repeatedly apologize as they step on everybody else's toes. Instead of this scene, latecomers should just listen patiently from the back of the house and get an usher to assist them at the end of the song or piece.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>5. Fist-fighting? Really?</strong>: Come on man. I don't even know what to say about this one.</span></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">6. Public Break-Ups: </span></strong><span class="font_regular">I'm probably the wrong guy to talk about this since I only ever had one serious girlfriend and I married her. I've never been through a break-up. Maybe some people think it's better to break-up with their partner in a public place, where the crowd can act to deter either party from causing a scene. I don't know if this method is effective, because it would go unnoticed if it worked. But I can say for sure that it sometimes does not work. Then, everybody in the room can't help but to become armchair, break-up analysts as they comment on the proceedings.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>7. The Cell From Hell</strong>: This is a theater violation that occurs when somebody's cell phone lights up in a darkened room. That little light is super distracting to audience members and performers and goes a long way to ruining the concert or movie experience for both. Check that text? No. Respond to an email? No. Update Facebook? Nope. Answer a call? God help you if you do! Even better than silencing, just turn the stinking phone off and put it away until intermission. Remember how we used to live just fine before we had cell phones?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>8. No Trespassing At The Bar:</strong> Getting a spot at the bar? Cool! Using your body to overprotect that spot, making it physically impossible for somebody to pop in for a second, get a drink, and return to their place elsewhere? Totally not cool. It's actually really juvenile.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>9. The Royal Service Evaluator: </strong> This offense occurs in restaurants when patrons see themselves as deserving only of perfect service and the highest quality meal a human chef can muster. The "Royals" judge every little thing the wait staff does. They hyper-criticize the food. With every little imperfection, they make a face and lower the tip a bit. I wonder how they would like it if their boss treated them that way at work?</span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>10. Obliterating The Band: </strong> This last behavior is another bar violation, usually occurring in places where the music is to be heard, but is not the central focus of the evening as it would be in a dance club or concert. Obliterating The Band is done by clueless, usually intoxicated individuals who stand right in front of the musicians while talking very loudly. The musicians get distracted, and the patrons who sat up front in order to hear the music get annoyed. Hey Obliterators, please back away from the band and go scream at each other in a different corner of the place! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Besides being irritating, all of the things on this list have something else in common. At their core is a lack of awareness and respect for others in the room. Too often, in our "Me"-based culture and self-absorption, we forget the value of community standards and the wishes of others. Nobody likes to be the one to say something to misbehaving adults in public, even when they deserve it. So let's all police ourselves as individuals and make spending time in public places something everyone can enjoy.</span></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/55080582018-11-10T16:44:26-05:002023-12-31T17:28:54-05:00Gig Obituary: Rockvale Outlets Holiday Music<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/2c1037309b4d4804ce9fdfb3cf922c39467fdab0/original/24909686-1499961346724146-311731642037276697-n.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">George W. Bush was president, Andy Reid & Donavan McNabb were Philly’s inseparable couple, and My Love was Justin Timberlake’s current hit. It was December 2006, and I was playing a simple brass duo gig, strolling the outlets at Rockvale Square. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">That gig turned into a 12 year run of coordinating live holiday music at Rockvale, and until they were bought by Tanger, Hershey Outlets too. I composed about 70 new brass duo arrangements and put together a strong roster of brass players that would play as duos called The Holiday Horns. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I soon began the strolling, a cappella, Yuletide Voices- trios built specifically for Rockvale Square and Hershey Outlet holiday caroling. Things kept growing and expanding from there, leading to other gigs for both groups and a 12-year run of contracting and performing at Rockvale. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Unfortunately, Rockvale was recently sold to another company and we are disappointed to announce that the new owners have not renewed our contract for this season. Nothing lasts forever- not even at Christmas. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Playing music in the cold for holiday shoppers may not sound like the greatest way to spend December weekends, but we really enjoyed it and it gave me a chance to grow both as a musician and a business man. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">I learned more about how to connect with people who weren’t necessarily in the mood for music. I learned that trombone slides and brass valves freeze at certain temperatures and become unplayable. I learned that heavy snow doesn’t always force stores to close early during peak holiday shopping season. I learned that Amish folks come to “Midnight Madness” sales in droves. I came to appreciate the rarity of excellent sight-singers and music readers. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The best part for me was working with my two daughters, both of whom did their first Yuletide Voices gigs as eight graders and developed into very strong singers. Now one is college and the other is in her first year in the workforce. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">The Holiday Horns are still crazy busy at The Strasburg Railroad, and the Yuletide Voices have a few new gigs as well, but I admit I will miss what has become a holiday tradition- the Rockvale gigs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Special thanks to our Rockvale contact, Deb Frisco; my main vocal crew of Dave Sheaffer, Bailey Fulginiti and Ally Fulginiti; and everybody else who was part of the action over the past 12 years. </span></p>
<p>Below are some video links and photos- a miniature Rockvale Gig Retrospective/Eulogy</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_regular"><a contents="Yuletide Voices Trio" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7E1zZvUMJQ">VIDEO: A Youthful, Family Style, Yuletide Voices Trio</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Yuletide Voices XL Size" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://instagram.com/p/BcmqKAylE9u/">VIDEO: Yuletide Voices "Massed Choir"</a></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/c6920585e560499236dc1c38b4dd99215612e981/original/23755058-1483223221731292-7789743761226780178-n.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/d3852ef10c58aeab70ee7fcea14411d540135bd3/original/23561742-1483223201731294-2688259549162433312-n.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /> </span></p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/54821292018-10-23T11:20:02-04:002019-05-28T17:02:17-04:00Death's Killer Dance Party Jam<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/0845c5f8db7c31d21461238c3846f03b867ef9f7/original/9781607346128.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>What comes to mind when you think of Halloween music? Michael Jackson’s Thriller? The Addams Family theme song? The 1962 hit single Monster Mash? How about something from The Nightmare Before Christmas? All good stuff, but the orchestral composers of the 19th century were also- forgive the phrase- “killin’” in the Halloween department. </p>
<p>If there were a Grammy category for best Halloween-esque, classical, orchestral piece- mine would go to Frenchman Camille Saint-Seans for Danse Macabre. Written in 1874, it tells the story of Death’s annual Halloween party in the town cemetery. </p>
<p>Death opens the piece by walking onto the scene, getting out his violin and tuning it up. As he gets rolling onto a melody, the skeletons and ghosts of the graveyard rise up and get the dance party going full steam. Saint-Seans gives the impression of ghosts swirling through the air, skeletons rattling their bones, and both parties intermingling their melodies until they are both heard simultaneously. The action continues all night until the rooster/oboist crows, signaling the end of the party. Death, tired after his all-night gig, packs up his violin and walks away. The cemetery enters the morning as if nothing unusual has happened. </p>
<p>Listening to this piece is easy and fun. Better yet, you don’t have to be a graduate music student to follow the story. Saint-Seans makes it easy with his masterful instrumentation and obvious melodic hooks. I use this piece in class at my elementary school job and most of the kids applaud after hearing it for the first time. Adults seem almost equally excited when they hear the piece on it’s own merit, not as part of a TV ad. </p>
<p>Here are some links if you want to check the piece out for yourself. You may find that you’ve heard parts of it before- it gets picked up often for use in ads, TV, movies, etc…. </p>
<p>Danse Macabre- Orchestra: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM</a></p>
<p>PBS Animated version from the ’80’s: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHqhsMP80E" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHqhsMP80E">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CHqhsMP80E</a></p>
<p>And in typical Amazon fashion, if you like Dance Macabre, check out these other, fine, orchestral, Halloween-type masterpieces: </p>
<p>A Night On Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorsky: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCEDfZgDPS8</a></p>
<p>Here's Disney's version of that same piece from Fantasia: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLCuL-K39eQ" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLCuL-K39eQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLCuL-K39eQ</a></p>
<p>Toccata & Fugue in D Minor by Bach: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9rZjlsyYY</a></p>
<p>O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Orff: <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXFSK0ogeg4</a></p>
<p>Add any others you like in the comments- there are plenty to choose from. </p>
<p>Happy Halloween!</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/54529772018-10-02T22:44:46-04:002019-05-28T17:02:36-04:00Zeit Fur Oktoberfest!!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/705b54858bf3b4c20899ecf29285384e4da73863/original/img-3945.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As a kid growing up in Lancaster, we lived a block or two away from what was known as “Cabbage Hill”. There was a large population of German-Americans on that hilly section of town, including my mom's extended family. My grandparents lineage involves several European peoples but Germany probably represents the largest piece of the pie. Despite my Italian last name, there’s German on my dad’s side too. </p>
<p>Elements of German culture were all around us growing up but I didn’t take much notice of it until later. The exception was this old wooden poster, at my maternal grandmother’s house, with a bunch of German words and drawings on it. One of the drawings was of a little kid who had a possessed look on his face. The letters underneath him said “schnickel fritz”. It was pretty creepy. I later found out that this poster-like board is called a Schnitzelbank and is sometimes used to help children learn a few German words. By the way, “schnickel fritz” means mischievous child. </p>
<p>Later, in high school, we put together a little German band to play at our AFS cultural day, and I got hooked on the fun of playing these simple, happy, folk tunes and polkas (although the polkas aren’t always easy). Fast forward many years and I had joined a group called Landler-Kapelle, which was led by my junior high school science teacher and had previously been the house band at the Lancaster Leidekranz for a few decades. I learned a lot about the musical style and traditions in that band, especially by sitting next to a great trumpet player named John Smith. I copy him a lot with my current group, The Happy Wanderers. </p>
<p>Speaking of The Happy Wanderers, this will be our second season playing without our leader, accordion player and cultural historian Rich Ranaglia. Rich died of a heart attack in the summer of 2017 and his presence in the group is difficult to replace. </p>
<p>But even missing Rich, Oktoberfest season is one of my favorite times of year and I’m pumped for these next few weeks and the dozen or so gigs The Happy Wanderers are playing. I love the festive, friendly atmosphere of the events. I enjoy the simple, fun music we play. I like wearing lederhosen and seeing others dressed in traditional German outfits. The food at the events is usually great too. And there’s beer. A lot of beer actually. </p>
<p>My favorite event, the Carlisle Oktoberfest, happens this week from Thursday through Sunday at the Army Heritage Center just outside of Carlisle. It’s a great time featuring food, music (including us Happy Wanderers) soccer matches, contests (wife carrying, stein holding), rides and games. The best part by far though is just the vibe of people hanging out and enjoying life together. </p>
<p>If that sounds good to you too- I’ll see you in Carlisle this week.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/53579152018-07-22T23:54:35-04:002019-05-28T17:03:15-04:00FoodStock V- Because Food Insecurity Is Real<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/6aa0d1435d709969a25cdbf6f67a607657b31965/original/unknown.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Several years ago I was playing a gig with my friend Tom Hayden in a band called Back In Motion. We were between sets and Tom was talking about a successful food drive he had worked on at his day job with the US Postal Service. The downside was that the large amount of food they had generated was expected to be gone within a few weeks. There was a lot more going out of the food bank than there was coming in. All the work they did on the food drive would soon need to be done again, and again after that. Tom was determined to do more to help the situation, and by the end of our next set break, he had sketched out the structure and goals for a new non-profit we would call FoodStock. I signed on as a volunteer and board member. Tom became president. We rounded up a few others and got started trying to figure out how to raise money and awareness about hunger and food insecurity in our local area of Lancaster County, PA.</p>
<p>As Tom often says, food insecurity is not a "sexy" issue. It sometimes comes with an unneccessary stigma. Sometimes people who need help are too embarrassed to ask for it. Sometimes those who can give help instead blame the needy and make harsh assumptions about their work ethic or life decisions. But a significant portion of our community is only one bad break or lost job away from facing possible food shortages. It can happen to you. Or somebody you know. It’s a problem that doesn’t immediately stand out to friends, acquaintances and coworkers. As I said, there is sometimes an unfortunate stigma attached to needing help.</p>
<p>FoodStock's goal is to raise money in support of local food banks by staging musical fundraising events and donating the proceeds to a variety of "hands on", local groups that work to eliminate hunger in our county. </p>
<p><strong>Our biggest event each year is FoodStock MusicFest, and this year's edition is coming up soon- this Saturday, July 28 from 11am-6pm at The <a contents="Pennsylvania Renaissance Fairegrounds" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.parenfaire.com" target="_self">Pennsylvania Renaissance Fairegrounds</a> in Mannheim, PA. </strong>We've got 6 musical acts lined up, there are silent and Chinese style auctions, raffles, craft vendors, food, beer and wine. It will be a full day of goodness and hopefully we'll raise a ton of money to give away. </p>
<p>This year's main recipient is <a contents="Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://cvccd.org" target="_self">Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services</a>. This group does outstanding work- check them out and see for yourself at <a contents="cvccd.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://cvccs.org" target="_self">cvccs.org</a></p>
<p>Our musical line-up for the day is as follows:</p>
<p>11-11:20am Rob Reese (guitar)</p>
<p>11:30-12:30pm <a contents="Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra (big band)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tyt4iQrMGQM" target="_self">Corsair Blue Jazz Orchestra (big band)</a></p>
<p>12:45-2pm <a contents="Hydroponic Philharmonic (Grateful Dead Tribute)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJzATTh1y6U" target="_self">Hydroponic Philharmonic (Grateful Dead Tribute)</a></p>
<p>2:15-3:30pm <a contents="Steel Radiance &nbsp;(classic rock)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp6RIfsb7Pc" target="_self">Steel Radiance (classic rock)</a></p>
<p>3:45-4:45pm <a contents="&nbsp;Benjamin Vo Blues Band &nbsp;(blues)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05vVoP6JMk0" target="_self"> Benjamin Vo Blues Band (blues)</a></p>
<p>5-6pm <a contents="Vinyl Groov &nbsp;(10-piece classic R&amp;B)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bvtlive.com/band/vinyl-groov-band/" target="_self">Vinyl Groov (10-piece classic R&B)</a></p>
<p>I play trumpet and sing with Vinyl Groov, so I'll be there to help close out the music. I'll also be around the entire day as a volunteer, doing whatever needs done.</p>
<p>We would love to see a huge crowd at FoodStock because people need to eat everyday, all year round, and we can help them do that. So please consider getting <a contents="a ticket or donating." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=1189312&presenter=PARF&venue=&event&tck=true" target="_self">a ticket or donating.</a> The best way is via the FoodStock website: <a contents="www.foodstockpa.org" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.foodstockpa.org" target="_self">www.foodstockpa.org</a> </p>
<p>Follow FoodStock on social media for the latest news and info:</p>
<p><a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/foodstockmusicfestivalpa/" target="_self">Facebook</a></p>
<p><a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://@foodstock_music_fest" target="_self">Instagram</a></p>
<p><a contents="Twitter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/FoodStockMusic" target="_self">Twitter</a></p>
<p>See you on Saturday for FoodStock V!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/6aa0d1435d709969a25cdbf6f67a607657b31965/original/unknown.jpeg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/53050922018-06-19T16:59:05-04:002019-05-28T17:03:43-04:00Time To Let "That's The Cat's!" Out Of The Bag<p>This is a big week for The Cat's Pajamas Old School Jazz Band because our new album is finished and our release party is this Thursday night in the An Sibin Speakeasy room at Tellus 360 in Lancaster, Pa. The Cat's Pajamas is basically a traditional jazz band. Some call it dixieland, some call it New Orleans, 1920's or Chicago style. Whatever you call it, it's fun music to play and appeals to people of all ages.</p>
<p>Besides classic tunes from the genre, we also like to mix in more modern songs by Ray Charles, Justin Timberlake, Wham and anything else that works. The Cat's are a 6 piece band featuring Faith Shiffer on clarinet, Mark Rutter on trombone, Chuck Oettel on guitar, Mike Vitale on bass, Doug Kulp on drums and myself on trumpet, vocals and sometimes wooden spoons. The Cat's always have a good time on stage and most times, the audience can't help catching our good mood.</p>
<p>This recording project started back in November. We squeezed almost the whole band into a small studio at Parallel Productions in Willow Street (Mike and his bass had to stay in the control room). It was a long day, but we did nearly all of the recording live as a band, that day. Then the holidays came, people schedule's got crazy, and the next thing we knew it was spring time. Just last month, we got the last production details taken care of (cover art, packaging, etc.) and now we're anxious to share our work with everybody.</p>
<p>Speaking of album art, ours was drawn by Faith Shiffer's dad. Check it out below- it's a perfect fit for us.</p>
<p>We would love to see you this Thursday at An Sibin/Tellus 360. We start at 7pm and will play 2 sets, including most if not all of the tunes on the cd. Tickets are $15 at the door (also available at Tellus website but service charges apply). A cd is only $5 with your ticket. Cash bar and food are available. </p>
<p>Online sales will be available within the next week.</p>
<p>For more on The Cat's Pajamas Old School Jazz Band, find them on our music roster page or at their website: <a contents="www.thecatspajamasoldschooljazzband.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.thecatspajamasoldschooljazzband.com" target="_self">www.thecatspajamasoldschooljazzband.com</a></p>
<p>For a sound sample, click the "Latest Track" button on my homepage.</p>
<p>Thanks for your support and we're hoping to see you Thursday night at Tellus! </p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/71d22473cd689b126a02906ef179c2613d276390/original/35486036-2017453161849681-398181667778330624-n.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/52381162018-05-16T16:43:34-04:002019-10-03T10:15:31-04:00Here Come The Brides, There Goes The Time<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/502b401795f77ed1fc812101af070c758c139cfb/original/screen-shot-2017-04-20-at-2-48-55-pm.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Last week I played the longest bridal procession of my career. About 4 solid minutes with about 50 “brides” coming down the aisle. It was a Thursday morning “gig” at 7:30am in an elementary school cafeteria. If this sounds like fake news, let me clarify. It wasn’t a real bridal procession and there was no wedding. It was a special activity that took place at this month’s All Pro Dad breakfast at the the school where I teach. And, despite being thoroughly pretend, this wedding was still moving to many in attendance because it was a reminder of how valuable our time is and how quickly it can go by. </p>
<p>The monthly All Pro Dad breakfasts are usually just for dads and their kids, but the May breakfast is special because the moms are invited as well and the activities are centered around appreciating them. It usually takes place just before Mother’s Day. At some point during this most recent breakfast, all of the dads and daughters were told to leave the cafeteria and wait in the lobby for further instructions. After a moment or two of suspense, the dads were told to re-enter the room, arm-in-arm with their daughter, as if they were walking her down the aisle to “give her away” on her wedding day. </p>
<p>As they came back into the cafeteria, passed under the rainbow arch of balloons and stopped on the mark for a photo, I stood nearby in a tuxedo playing the longest rendition of Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary I had ever played. Looking around the room, I saw quite a few teary eyes. Both moms and dads. The “brides” were mostly embarrassed and uncomfortable, having walked into the crowded room with everybody looking at them, but the parents were moved. </p>
<p>The whole thing was a live, role-playing reminder of that Nationwide Insurance slogan- “life comes at you fast”. All of a sudden, the kids you thought you’d spend the rest of your life raising are graduating from high school, moving to college, graduating from college, moving out of the house, getting married, and having kids themselves. Not long ago, my daughter Ally and I went to All Pro Dad meetings at her elementary school-she’s now a college freshman. Not long ago my other daughter Bailey and I would make up songs in the basement while playing Barbies- she graduates from college this week with Music and Communication degrees. </p>
<p>Memories and messages of this type can be totally cliche and even trite unless you pay attention to what they’re really saying. It’s not just that time goes by quickly, it’s also that time is so valuable that we should make sure it aligns with our priorities. Time is life. What we fill our time with is what we fill our lives with. </p>
<p>That too sounds cliche, but we shouldn’t roll our eyes and tune it out before we give ourselves a quick evaluation. Does our schedule align with our priorities? If not, how can we fix it? Maybe we need to give some things up in order to make way for others, even if that means quitting a job. Is our work fulfilling? Looking back years from now, will we have regrets about how we’ve managed our time or who we’ve spent it with? </p>
<p>These questions might also be added to the “cliche parade” I seem to be writing, but to do so would be to risk becoming immune to feelings like those the All Pro Dad parents had when faced with the reality of time. If it helps us align our priorities with our life, tearing up at a fake elementary school mass wedding isn’t so bad.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/52045052018-04-26T20:08:00-04:002019-05-28T17:07:14-04:00Insta-Guilt: The Discomfort Of Self-Promotion <p>Me time. A phrase a we hear often. True, everybody needs a little “me time”. But the problem for many of us, and for our culture in general, is that our whole existence is about me time. It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, but it’s always me o’clock everywhere. </p>
<p>Being a musician can make things worse, and that’s why I have what I call InstaGuilt. The constant pressure to promote gigs and get people to notice my projects goes against my natural tendencies, against the virtues that build strong community, and against the cultural and personal values that I want to embrace. But without this relentless self-promoting, I’m less likely to get gigs, sell cd’s or show tickets. (BTW- I have a new cd coming out this June).</p>
<p>So yeah- I have Instaguilt. I’m guilty of participating in a portion of our culture I believe to be overdone, unhealthy and inappropriate. Sure, advertising is critical and part of any business, but not in the constant, petty streams we see in these days of social media. And yet it seems necessary and I feel compelled to do it. </p>
<p>So if you’ve wondered why I suddenly started overkill-hashtaging my Instgrams posts, that’s why. I’m trying to build a following of potential clients and connections. It’s selfish. InstaGuilt. I guess I could start a music only Instagram page, like I’ve done on Facebook, but as I understand it, the appeal of Instagram and other social media platforms is for people to get to know you as a whole person instead of just by your work. I’m not sure if my introvert status is cool with that or not. </p>
<p>Some of my musicians friends don’t really need any of this and have no Instaguilt. They are freelancers and need only to network with others in the music circles they want to be in. My situation is a bit different because, although I freelance quite a bit as well, I also serve as bandleader, manager and de facto owner for many of the groups I play with. I need to network and make connections from both inside my musical circles and outside with the greater community. Back to the Instaguilt again. </p>
<p>Everybody dislikes people that say “look at me” all the time, and yet, as musicians, that’s a part of what we do. It’s also part of our nationwide cultural shift to a place where the self, in my opinion, is over-valued at the expense of the group. In his new book, “The Road To Character”, David Brooks cites a 1950 Gallup survey that asked high school seniors if they considered themselves an important person. On that original survey, 12% said yes. In 2005 that number was 80%. I suspect it might be even higher now. </p>
<p>So as I work my way through Instaguilt to a balance between good business and personal philosophy, please accept my self-conflicted invitation to follow me on Instagram, like my Facebook posts, retweet me, visit my website, read my blog, and share me with all of your friends. </p>
<p>As always, your thoughts and opinions are welcome in the comments section.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/1e6a192dbfb41f93c5ee61528edf0d3e6ce0b367/original/busy-season-survivor-guilt-cpa-industry.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/51831622018-04-15T15:36:30-04:002019-05-28T17:07:32-04:00Mom's Corny Pun Sparks New Trilogy Brass Project<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/9957bd52d68e166cbc3f751f0ce3594c77c6836c/original/img-5636-1ok.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My mom has this silver coin with the words “round tuit” engraved on the front. As a kid, I grew up walking past that coin on our dining room shelf, always wondering what it meant. At some point, somebody finally filled me in and told me what the coin was for. It’s an inspirational play on words. Not a “round tuit”, but “around to it”. As in “I’ll do that project when I get around to it”. If somebody gave you that coin, you had no excuse not to do whatever it is you were putting off. It’s like a totally uncool version of Nike’s “just do it”. As a natural-born procrastinator, I’ve tried to keep that corny little coin mentally imbedded in my head as motivation. </p>
<p>After several years of being away from classical chamber music, Trilogy Brass is the latest thing I’ve gotten around to doing. It’s exciting because I get to work on challenging repertoire with excellent players who are also great people. We’re just getting things started, but it feels good to get back into the kind of practice and preparation needed to play this type of music. </p>
<p>You can sample us at: <a contents="www.trilogybrass.com&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.trilogybrass.com" target="_self">www.trilogybrass.com </a></p>
<p>I had been interested in chamber music for brass since high school and co-founded the Bravura Brass quintet with Mark Rutter way back around 1990. I left in 2013, in need of both something new and more time to devote to other projects. I didn’t really miss the classical music thing very much at first, but got inspired again slowly while listening to my daughter Bailey develop her classical voice chops throughout her college years. Listening to her technical mastery and emotional delivery, I found myself thinking more and more about the rewards and challenges of that type of music. </p>
<p>After about 4 years of having no “round tuit”, I finally got it and called Anne Nye (French horn) and Steve Shiffer (trombone). We got together for a reading session and later a DIY, iPad-filmed demo session and are now available for weddings, church services and concerts. The hardest part was just getting the project started. Getting that “round tuit”. </p>
<p>To stay in touch with Trilogy Brass, head to our website (above) and sign our mailing list. To keep up with Trilogy Brass and all other adventures of Todd Fulginiti Music, sign the mailing list on this website. </p>
<p>And whatever projects or tasks you might be putting off, take the advice of mom’s corny coin, find your “round tuit”, and get it started!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="Trilogy Brass demo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk6vH09cvUQ" target="_self">Trilogy Brass demo</a></p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/51511162018-03-27T20:02:28-04:002019-05-28T17:08:03-04:0010 Tips On Living To Be 100 (Inspired By This Guy)<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/7910b538fec61e105c20c5a2f0682e3dc2c101a5/original/29365959-1594089487311331-6306715709565042688-n.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Last weekend I played a ballroom dance gig where a guy was celebrating his 100th birthday. He zipped across the floor with several different partners all night long, rarely taking a break. He outlasted most of the other dancers, sticking around for our final set while many of the others were in their cars, already half way home. It was impressive! And inspirational. And it made me wonder how you arrive at being 100 years old, in great shape, and living a full life. As a modern day human who demands answers to all questions immediately, I did what anybody would do and asked the internet. </p>
<p>Before I realized it, I had spent several days reading dozens of articles about centenarians and how they got there. There is no quick and easy formula, but there are several characteristics that centenarians seem to have in common. It probably won't surprise you to hear that these things are common sense, basic wellness habits that we all know are important. But life gets messy, our priorities get confused, and sometimes we forget. </p>
<p>So here are 10 long-life tips I found on my non-scientific, amateur-quality, centenarian research project. Check it out. Take the suggestions. And if they work for you, say thanks by buying me a beer on your 100th if I'm still around. </p>
<p><strong>1. Sleep</strong> By now you've heard it a million times- sleep is critical and the average person doesn't get enough of it. But sleep is so critical to both body and mind that we just need to eliminate the excuses and get it done. Eight hours of sleep every night. End of story. </p>
<p><strong>2. Exercise Regularly & Reasonably </strong> You don't have to be an ultra-marathoner, but staying in shape is a key element in reaching the upper age bracket. Find something active that you enjoy doing- then do it! Scheduling and inertia can be tough to overcome initially, but once you lock in to the routine you'll be addicted to feeling good and strong. But don't overdo it- we injure more easily with age and take longer to repair. </p>
<p><strong>3. Eat Well </strong> Do you really know what you're eating? Most don't. But go ahead, turn into one of those label reading geeks that clog up the grocery store aisles. Can't pronounce the ingredients? Eater beware! Geek it up again by asking where your food came from and how it was prepared. Enjoy mealtime with friends and family because sucking down fast food really sucks for your body. </p>
<p><strong>4. Chill Out </strong> So far all of these centenarian traits require time. So what are you supposed to do- make some? Well, yeah, actually. Prioritizing your health and wellness over work and other activities can drastically lower stress levels. This is good because stress is the equal opportunity buzz-killer for body, mind and spirit. So take a page out of your favorite slacker's playbook, and have some fun. And remember that no matter what the situation, if it's not going to kill you, it could be worse. </p>
<p><strong>5. Stay Mentally Engaged </strong> Exercise is as important for the mind as for the body. So do puzzles, play chess, have deep conversations, solve mysteries, write music or blogs. Find whatever gets your brainwaves rolling and ride the tide. </p>
<p><strong>6. Stay Emotionally Connected</strong> Even people that don't like people need to be with other people. Humans are social beings. Whether its family or friends, we need to belong to a group in order to really thrive. I used to wonder why so many seniors choose to live in retirement communities, but when I spoke to them, I learned of the deep, rich social connections they enjoy there. </p>
<p><strong>7. Be Self-Confident</strong> Remember Charlie & The Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka? Wonka said to Violet Beauregarde, "Well you certainly are confident, and confidence is key". Of course, Violet's overconfidence caused her to use poor judgement and turn into a giant blueberry, so maybe we should heed the lesson and balance confidence with humility. </p>
<p><strong>8. Be Stubborn</strong> Most people who know a centenarian cited mild stubbornness as a notable characteristic of the very old. This stubbornness didn't appear because of age, but vice-versa. Standing your ground and being a little feisty apparently has it's advantages. My family thinks I've gained at least a decade of life based on this trait alone. </p>
<p><strong>9. Find A Job You Love</strong> The story goes that John Lennon's grade school teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Lennon said, "I want to be happy". That attitude may or may not bring financial wealth, but it sure beats hating your life 8 hours a day. Apparently happiness is good for your health! </p>
<p><strong>10. Have Sex</strong> Yeah baby! The centenarians I read about all mentioned that a healthy sex life is still important to them and helps them feel connected, vibrant and confident. They say the fire burns at all ages. </p>
<p>If you think there are things missing from this list, please add them on in the comment section. Like I said, my research is non-scientific and "for amusement purposes only". So join the conversation and post a thought.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/51336052018-03-17T12:48:45-04:002019-05-28T17:08:22-04:00Lancaster Roots & Blues Highlights<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/c1116ce2f8bba4a58a015dc0e400303687d73b05/original/download.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />As expected, last weekend's Lancaster Roots & Blues music festival was seriously fun, a great learning experience, and also a bit exhausting. After letting everything sink in, surviving the ensuing work week and power-sleeping half of my Saturday away, here is my short list of highlights from a killer weekend. It's impossible to see every band on the schedule so these picks just come from the 2 dozen or so acts I did catch over the weekend. Thanks to Rich Ruoff and his team for putting everything together and for bringing such a great event to our hometown.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Best Music- Friday Night:</strong> </p>
<p><strong>Samantha Fish: </strong>The main stage at the Lancaster Convention Center was totally packed for this set and with good reason. Fish is a great guitar player, equally good singer, and she looks good too. She brought a full band including rhythm section, trumpet, sax and violin, giving her the flexibility to do anything from hard rocking blues to country. I went with the intention of leaving about half way through to catch another band, but decided to stay for the whole set- definitely worth it!</p>
<p><b>Bailey Fulginiti Trio: </b> I'm totally biased on this one because I played the show, but it's my list. Bailey did a great job and is stretching out more and more, making it more fun for Dave Winter (keys) and I to play behind her. We were in the Chameleon's Lizard Lounge, which is a really nice little spot- much better than the Lizard Lounge I remember from years ago. As I was told by several friends, our jazz-heavy set started a bit late for some of the people that wanted to hear us, but the crowd we had was attentive and appreciative-what more can you ask?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Best Music- Saturday:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Slam Allen</strong>: This is a tough one! Saturday was full of great stuff all day and night long. Little Ed & The Imperials, Linwood Taylor, Justin Angelo Band, Tommy Conwell (a Philly area favorite I was too young to see in clubs during his biggest years), and the list goes on. But I'm glad I stumbled into Slam Allen's set. It was an accident. I was trying to see another band but got my venues mixed up. A happy mistake! Slam's funky, danceable, R&B/blues style had a little bit of everything in it, plus his band was on fire and all were entertaining to watch. The highlight for me was the sax player. I don't remember his name but they called him "Little Maceo" and it fit!</p>
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<p><strong>Best Music- Sunday:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Disclaimer- I didn't actually attend the festival Sunday because I was at my daughter's college dance show.....</strong></p>
<p><strong>Morgan James: </strong>Even though I wasn't there, I've seen James 2-3 times now. Her voice is so powerful and soulful that, combined with her old school original songs, I can't imagine her set not being one of the Sunday highlights. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Best Venue- Zoetropolis</strong></p>
<p>This place opened its doors for the first time in its new location on Friday night. It's excellent! Just off Water Street in the midst of the other festival venues, Zoetropolis is big enough to hold a nice crowd but small enough to feel intimate. Stage views are great from everywhere and the sound & light systems are excellent. Friends told me the place was so crowded at times that they couldn't get in, so I guess I'm not the only one who liked it.</p>
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<p><strong>Best Food In The Festival Area- Slice of Brooklyn Pizza</strong></p>
<p>I don't like to spend a lot of time sitting around in restaurants, missing the music, so Slice of Brooklyn is the perfect spot for me. It's on Queen Street about half a block up from Federal Taphouse (venue) and not far from The Elks Club (venue). It tends not to get as crowded as some of the other spots closer to the center of town, which is nice. But the main reason to go to Slice of Brooklyn is Grandma's Pizza. This stuff is it! All the food there is good, but Grandma's has basil pesto and some other stuff on it that just puts it over the top. One slice will keep you fueled up for several more hours of music and venue hopping.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Already looking forward to next year's Roots & Blues. Dates were announced this week- Feb 22-24, 2019. For updates, follow the festival on your favorite social sites.</p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/51105192018-03-04T13:45:52-05:002019-05-28T17:08:41-04:00Roots & Blues Info For Next Weekend<p>Lancaster Roots & Blues is, in my opinion, the best weekend of the year for music fans in the southeastern Pennsylvania region. It happens next week, March 9-11 and if you haven't attended before, this would be a great year to give it a try. </p>
<p>In case you somehow missed my relentless social media posting, I'm playing the festival with Bailey Fulginiti Trio on Friday night at 10pm on the Chameleon Lounge stage. Bailey will doing a mix of classic jazz, blues and modern soul. Obviously, I'd love for you to come to that show, but beyond that, there are literally dozens of outstanding artists to see, from all over the country and internationally as well. Here's a link to Bailey's festival artist page:</p>
<p><a contents="https://www.google.com/search?q=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&oq=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.5854j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&oq=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.5854j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on">https://www.google.com/search?q=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&oq=roots+and+blues+bailey+fulginiti&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.5854j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on</a></p>
<p>So here's what you need to know in order to maximize your experience. Roots & Blues is featuring 67 acts on 10 stages over 3 days. The venues are sprinkled around the downtown area of Lancaster city amidst a series of great bars and restaurants, so there's plenty to do whether your listening to music or taking a break. Festival headliners this year are JJ Grey & Mofro, Shamekia Copeland, Eric Johnson, and Morgan James. Check the festival website for details on all of the artists, venues and schedules.</p>
<p><a contents="Roots & Blues website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/">https://lancasterrootsandblues.com/</a></p>
<p>Tickets are available for 1 day ($59), 2 days ($105) or 3 days ($150). There are also a limited number of single day single venue tickets available. All are bargain prices for all there is to hear. Did I mention that our Bailey Fulginiti Trio show is Friday at 10pm on The Chameleon Lounge stage? </p>
<p>Tickets can be purchased online or in person. Read about all the options here:</p>
<p><a contents="https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2917987" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2917987">https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2917987</a></p>
<p>We are super pumped for this great weekend of music and hope to see you around town next weekend. We'd especially love to see you Friday night at 10 at The Chameleon Lounge.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/50860362018-02-18T11:59:36-05:002019-05-28T17:12:30-04:00Proud (but hopefully not too irritating) Dad Post on Bailey's Senior Recital<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/787fdaf16acc2a76debc8a22bd2f9663861aee9e/original/img-3689.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>My daughter Bailey was at most, three years old. We were going somewhere in the car, with her belted into her car seat directly behind my driver's seat. I don't know what was bothering her, but whatever it was set her off into a typical, toddler-style screaming fit that ruined whatever mood or conversation my wife and I were in at the time. Bailey had done this before, and each time she did I had the same two thoughts. The first was a string of expletives on behalf of my throbbing eardrums and quickly waning patience. The second was, "Wow! What a focused tone and killer vocal projection." Yeah- I know, I'm a total music nerd. But besides her piercing tone, that's what was in my head. So when people ask me if I'm surprised that Bailey has become such a good singer, I say, "Not really, but I'm sure glad she's channeled her energy into something more productive. </p>
<p>Last night Bailey gave her Senior Voice Recital at Muhlenburg College in Allentown, where she is a double major in Music and Media Communications. The program consisted of nine "classical" pieces and finished with three jazz standards. Classical is in quotes because, excuse my music nerd stuff again, what people generically call classical music actually consists of music from several style periods like Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and so on. As a parent and fellow musician, it was fun to just sit back and listen to what was really an outstanding performance, both technically and artistically. It's not easy to deliver a soaring, iconic opera aria from Carmen, and then a few minutes later, swing Pennies From Heaven with soul and richness. But Bailey made it seem like no big deal. </p>
<p>As a parent, you put years of time, energy, money and sometimes worry into your kids development, and when they do something special like Bailey did last night, it's very exciting and satisfying. I'm obviously very proud of her and I don't mind if it seems like I've become one of those parents that gushes over their kids like a broken water main. If you're interested in hearing it, the recital was live-streamed on my Facebook pages (both personal and music). </p>
<p>This Wednesday, Bailey Fulginiti Trio (with pianist Dave Winter and I) are playing jazz at The Greenfield Restaurant near Lancaster from 6:30-9:30pm. Bailey is reprising last night's voice recital at Quarryville Presbyterian Village on Friday night, and we are proud to be performing a set at Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival on March 9 in the Chameleon Lounge. Contact me for tickets and details.</p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/50478672018-01-27T19:53:28-05:002020-03-23T13:12:37-04:00Lessons From A Funeral<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/aac720f66ea9f303e1c88e37e5af39622c03461f/original/pic-1578.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Today I had the honor of playing at the funeral of a great man. I never met him. Wasn't aware of his accomplishments. Didn't know any of his stories. Not until his service and wake did I know anything about him at all. But by the end of the day, I was glad to have been part of this man's tribute and also thankful for the reminders his memorial service provided.</p>
<p>Part of what Tom Brokaw deems "The Greatest Generation", this man had overcome living through The Great Depression. He served heroically with an elite force in World War II. He found answers to the questions of uncertainty we all face in our own lives. He went on to make contributions to the world of science. He raised a family that reflected on his life with great love. </p>
<p>So how does this, which sounds so foreign to my personal life experience, serve as a reminder of anything to me? Well, besides the models of grit, hard-work, perseverance and love the man's life-stories provide, those that spoke in honor of him today remind me to wonder what people will be saying at my own funeral, and if I'm going to like it. Today's service reminded me to ask myself if my current life path is aligned with the eulogy I hope to someday receive. It reminded me to ask myself whether I have my priorities straight and if I'm using whatever time I have here in the best way.</p>
<p>Maybe I'm just in a self-reflective mood since our holidays and vacations are over, both daughters are back at college, and my sabbatical from teaching school ends Monday morning. Even so, today was one of those "gigs" where I was hired to provide something, but left having received instead.</p>
<p>Sometimes the best part about making music is the non-musical stuff.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Todd Fulginiti Musictag:toddfulginiti.com,2005:Post/50422702018-01-24T22:27:43-05:002021-05-12T12:46:05-04:00New Website!<p><span class="font_regular">Finally, my new website is up and running! It's not completed or perfect yet, but for the first time in several months, I've been able to do normal things like updating my performance calendar. Yeah, I know- real exciting. But in a way, it actually is. What was the problem?<br><br>The problem was that my old site was built on iWeb. When Apple decided a few years ago to no longer support that program, my website was basically on life support. If anything went wrong, there was nobody around to help. Taking the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach, I skated along for quite awhile until one day this past fall, when iWeb was unable to open any of my website files. <br><br>I knew a new site was in order, one with updated features like the blog you're reading now, but I had trouble (obviously) getting to it. I was lucky this fall to do a lot of traveling while on sabbatical from my other job as a public school music teacher. When I got home, the crazy, holiday gig season hit, then we went on a January family vacation. That's where the pic comes from, our recent family vacation to Quebec, where we did some dog sledding. The beautiful blond one is Twixx, the lead dog on our team. So yeah, I could've given some things up and worked a little harder this month, but I would've missed a lot of cool stuff. No worries- I'm good now and ready to get back to music.<br><br>There's a lot going on this year, and I like to write about things, so check this blog often if you're interested in the details and stories of a working musician, writer and regular guy.</span><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/280647/2bf52805db29d2f89b0623a120ac75bbe4bc1a4a/medium/26239128-10212380279755296-2672972985497968347-n.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></p>Todd Fulginiti Music