[TPIN] Oklahoma

[David Arndt]

<<
The Valley Forge Music Fair was one of my first pro gigs, it was in
1961.............I think.  Joe DiPolis was the house contractor. Was Tony
Marchione the house contractor when you played there in the '70s?  We played
lots of Broadway shows in those days. The first time I played West Side
Story was at the Music Fair. Only two very busy trumpet parts in the summer
tent version. "The Good Ol' Days".......
>>

The "tent" days were before my time, but I remember Tony talking about them.
I split the lead book with Tony from about 1976 until 1981. Lots of shows -
it was a blast.  I recognize your name and Joe DiPolis's name also - must
have heard them from Tony at some point.

In 1981 I left to take a "full time" gig as Principle Trumpet with an
orchestra in Maracaibo, Venezuela, of all places.  In those days, I had
*convinced* myself that a 'legit' gig was what I needed - even though I
loved playing lead & broadway shows.  The Maracaibo Symphony was a good
orchestra (mostly staffed with young American brass & wind players,
European/Russion string players)... but it wasn't nearly as much fun as
working the theatres in Philly.  I also did shows at the Forrest and the old
Shubert (did West Side at the Shubert - now it's The Merrium Theatre, or
something like that, right?). 

- Dave