For September, I am very happy to nominate:

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Beacon Chris!!
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I will start the questioning, if I may.

1. BC, why the Beacon? Where does that come from?

2. How did you find this forum?

3. What is one place in the US you have never visited, but have always wanted to visit, and why?

4. How many countries have you visited outside of the US?

What are your non-musical pastimes?

Oh Man!!! This is exciting I've enjoyed so much the new friends here and I'm honored.

Well, SK, I live in Beacon, NY. Moved up from the city about five years ago and found it to be an interesting town. It's certainly not my favorite place in the world, but there is lots of potential. Plenty of hiking and river activities.

I found WTF because of pianoworld. I would always read WTF here and there and I finally decided to take the plunge. I'm trying to remember, but I think there were several hilarious posts that got me going and of course, it's been downhill from there.

I love the third question - I've been a lot of places in the US, but I've not been to Alaska! I wanted to honeymoon there and we never got the chance. I'm a real mountain person and I've heard it's just spectacular. Want to go before I die.

Countries I've visited, hmm... pretty much every country in the former Western Europe except Spain and Norway. The former Eastern European countries I've visited include the Czech Republic, Hungary, and briefly Poland (the train ride hardly counts.) My favorite places in Europe include central and northern Sweden, the Schwartzwald region of Germany, all of Switzerland (special emphasis on the Interlaken area), Paris, Tuscany, Prague and Vienna.

Other places visited... Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, - going to Brazil this December.

Never been to Asia! I'd love to go to Japan! China sounds interesting as well...

Non musical pastimes are tough. You guys know I like politics. Quite honestly, after the hours that I've been putting in at the business (7 days a week for the past year and half) I feel lucky to just spend time with Mrs. Beacon and the kids. I try to spend every minute with them and make it count.

My three year old is completely smitten by trains and I am considering a layout. Maybe a hobby? I did a lot of this with my father growing up and perhaps it's a thing to share. I do love creating and building. The business has been fun in that regard (although I love the customers and despise the paperwork)

Let me think about pastimes.

Seriously, you guys, I'm really flattered.

Howz your house project coming?

Pictures?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Miller:
Howz your house project coming?

Pictures?

Stalled!

Seriously, we just have had to conserve all cash resources until we see how this recession turns out. Hopefully things begin to pick up and we can start up again. Artist fees are going to be off for years now. Fundraising is extremely difficult right now and many organizations - even medium sized ones are on life support. Piano biz???? There are always buyers - just fewer to go around and slimmer profit margins because of it. At least I'm holding my own.

BC

SK, great choice!

Hi, Chris!

1. When is your birthday. I know it's in early September but I forgot when.

2. Would you please describe your thoughts and feelings (and the success you've had) with your latest diet.

3. Have you been on diets before? Do you have any advice about keeping weight off?

4. Speaking of dieting, it takes willpower. I have a related question for you. I don't know if you know this but I'm an ex-smoker (going on three years now). My question is have you ever smoked cigarettes (if so, what's your history with cigarette smoking) and if not, have you ever been tempted to smoke?

I might have more questions for you later. I can't guarantee you that I won't!

Thanks!

Hey BC,

I have a couple of question for you!

1) What do you consider to be your most prestigious performance in terms of public perception and critical acclaim?

2) What do you consider to be your finest performance personally?

quote:

Originally posted by Daniel:
SK, great choice!

Hi, Chris!

1. When is your birthday. I know it's in early September but I forgot when.

2. Would you please describe your thoughts and feelings (and the success you've had) with your latest diet.

3. Have you been on diets before? Do you have any advice about keeping weight off?

4. Speaking of dieting, it takes willpower. I have a related question for you. I don't know if you know this but I'm an ex-smoker (going on three years now). My question is have you ever smoked cigarettes (if so, what's your history with cigarette smoking) and if not, have you ever been tempted to smoke?

I might have more questions for you later. I can't guarantee you that I won't!

Thanks!

Birthday is September 12th. I'll be 38!!!

I've helped friends with the smoking addiction and it's really awful. I'm happy you quit and you should be really, really proud. Don't ever go back - I've lost family members and it was horrible. I've never been a smoker.

I dieted one other time about six years ago and ended up at a really comfortable weight. Didn't exercise that time like I'm doing now, and right after I was down to where I wanted to be, I had a surgery and ended up not keeping the weight off. This time, I'm not going back.

As far as the willpower, it's tough. I just try to think about the kids and the family if I want to stray, and it keeps me on track. There's nothing like being able to really play with my young children and keep up with their energy level. They understand energy and they love it. My 5 yo even wants to start coming to the gym with me. I just think it's a lifestyle change. Also, drinking a lot of water and getting lots of sleep tends to help my diet as well.

quote:

Originally posted by rich galassini:
Hey BC,

I have a couple of question for you!

1) What do you consider to be your most prestigious performance in terms of public perception and critical acclaim?

2) What do you consider to be your finest performance personally?

Rich!

I love to sing and I've been so fortunate to have the opportunities. One of the most rewarding performances I've had was several years ago in Xalapa, Mexico. The performance was terrific - very hot, so we were all dressed in white Guayaberas (traditional latin shirts) and as we exited the venue, people were lined up outside to shake hands, hug, and get a close-up look at us. I felt like a rock star! I've never experienced that level of appreciation before, and it was really exciting. Also, in Mexico, the announcements for the concerts were hand painted on specific areas that are designated for such things. No posters, just a white background with the announcement hand written in red paint. Really amazing!

As far as fine personal performances, I've given quite a few in my home town of Greeley Colorado with the symphony there. The orchestra in Greeley was fortunate to have an exceedingly fine conductor who was very much a mentor to me growing up who gave me and continues to give me opportunities to explore my entire repertoire. Several of my best performances were in Greeley including my first War Requiem, Fledermaus(Alfred), Gianni Schicchi(Rinuccio), and Albert Herring(Albert). Ironically, I've never performed Carmina Burana in Greeley.

I have another very - extremely exciting opportunity in the works right now, and I will report in on it if the contract is signed. Wish me luck.

Hey, BC, how nice to see you've been honored here. I kind of dropped the ball on this and am glad to see someone picked it back up again. Thanks SK!

You've shown us your lovely wife's picture. Any chance we can get a peek at you?

kathyk,

My picture is certainly not as nice as hers!! I'm good from afar, but far from good as some friends and I used to say...

Since I'm the Sept. Forum member, I'll going to try to lay low on the politics for a month and not rattle too many cages - just bask in the fame and fortune I've found at WTF.

On another note, I'm thinking of doing some writing... hmmm...

1. Poughkeepsie or Kingston?

2. What's your favorite vacation spot?

3. Do you have any siblings? If so, where do you fit into the mix?

4. Is your wife musically inclined, too?

5. How often?

1. What is your guilty pleasure, food wise?
2. If you were having a dinner party for 10 of your favourite people from WTF, what would you serve?

(I'm hungry. Can you tell?)

3. You said you've visited Canada. Where'd you go? Are we as goofy as tv makes us out to be?

Is there any "popular" music you like?

Are you excited about the newly remastered Beatles cd's coming out this month?

jf

quote:

Originally posted by Matt G.:
1. Poughkeepsie or Kingston?

2. What's your favorite vacation spot?

3. Do you have any siblings? If so, where do you fit into the mix?

4. Is your wife musically inclined, too?

5. How often?

Matt,

I'm on the Poughkeepsie side of life I like the East side of the River more than the West - I feel more connected to NYC that way.

My favorite vacation spot? I'd have to say certain mountain spots in Switzerland - love Wengen in the Interlaken region very much. Also, Western Austria is very, very nice. I like clean places with lots of mountains and good breakfast!

I do have a sister who is a fabulous violinist. She is older than me and we talk at least every week. I love her love her love her.

Speaking of love, my wife is a lovely Soprano and a great mom. She has a very silvery but powerful voice - strikes me as a Gwyneth Jones style soprano (in her early years) Mrs. Beacon just sang the "Hear Ye, Israel" from Elijah several weeks ago in church and it was perfect. We met at Manhattan School of Music and never looked back.

How often? Suffice it to say that we make time to sing together ALOT.