Masterclass cancellation

Studio, As you probably suspected, there will be no masterclass tonight. I plan on making up the missed ones sometime next semester. Thanks, Dr. Cox

Monday Lessons

I hope everybody has had a restful Thanksgiving and are ready to get back to the final two weeks of the semester! Lots to do with not too much time. As for me...rested...kind of. As some of you have been following on FB, Wednesday morning Sarah spiked a BIG fever and I had to rush her down to the Grand Rapids Children's Hospital E. R. We figured she would get the "normal" treatment, antibiotics, a few hours in the ER, and then sent home. Boy, was I wrong. It is now Saturday night and I have basically not left the hospital since then. She keeps spiking a fever about every 5-6 hours. Everything looks absolutely normal on paper, she is acting like her normal self throughout this whole event, but the thermometer says differently. Most of her spikes go up and over 103.0 f. Then she goes back down to a low-grade fever for a while, then spikes again. The doctors say it is nothing to worry about, but we just have to ride it out. She and I will definitely be here tomorrow (Sunday). If she can keep the fever at bay for 12-24 hours, they will let her out. It is 5:50 pm (Sat) and she just spiked another fever (taking a nap now that she has some Tylenol in her). So what does this mean about school. Well, unless something seriously goes wrong here, I will be driving in Monday morning from Grand Rapids for normal lesson times. From there, we will be hour by hour with her. If she gets out Monday, my parents will be there to get her. If not, then we (my parents and I, MJ still can't drive because of her cast) will keep working on solutions, but I am determined to keep as many "normal" lesson times as possible. As new news comes our way, I will try and keep you posted each evening as to developments. Once she gets home, then everything should return to "normal" (as normal as the Cox family can get these days). That's all for now. See you in a few short hours (40). Dr. Cox

Wednesday Lessons

Hello studio. Wednesday lessons - Sarah is spiking a fever tonight and I SHOULD be driving her to GR right now. I am way too tired to trust myself to stay awake on the way down and back (returning home usually around 3:00 am). Instead, we gave Sarah Tylenol and I will be heading to clinic first thing in the morning. Because it is the day before Thanksgiving, the clinic will most likely be on a skeleton staff and our wait will be long and tedious. With that, I will not be in tomorrow for lessons. I am truly sorry about this. And MJ can't take her for obvious reasons. Keera, will you let the people that you now in Brass Tech who were going to come to class tomorrow that class is cancelled. Thanks and everyone have a safe and restful weekend!!! Dr. Cox

Pianist for Nov. 20th recital

For those that had MJ as their accompanist, Dr. Tang has offered to step in and play the music for you. I will be getting the music to Dr. Tang tomorrow, so please stop by sometime today or tomorrow to set up a rehearsal time with her. I will (should) be in the office to teach tomorrow. I have a meeting at Shepherd Elem. at 8:00 am, and then will come to CMU. Monday and Tuesday lessons, please stop by and schedule a make-up lesson for later in the week. Dr. Cox PS - as of 2:15 pm, MJ went in for surgery. I am sitting in the waiting room at the hospital and will be here (at the hospital) for most of the evening.

MJ update - Monday night

Hello all. It looks like I fixed the bug with the email notification of this blog. So here is the update for MJ. We went to the ortho today and he said "you did quite a number on your ankle." He then told her that she needed surgery and that he would be doing it TOMORROW (Tuesday). She will need a plate and screws on one side of her ankle and just screws on the other. She will spend the night in the hospital and get out on Wednesday. The prognosis: no weight-beaing for 8 weeks. Several different types of casts. No driving for 8 weeks. So what does this mean. 1. No lessons tomorrow. I will be in the hospital with her for the day. I am planning on making up the lessons either on Friday (in between sessions with Instrumental Workshop) or on Saturday (and possibly Sunday). As I know more about how she is doing, I will then contact you individually (Monday and Tuesday lessons) and reschedule the lessons. 2. Wednesday night is Harvest Dinner at the Presby. Lots of turkey and great food. Free and open to anyone. Those older students who have gone to it, please offer rides to ones who can't get there, or, who have not experienced the feast. The food is free. If you want to make something and bring a plate to "pass," (buffet style) please feel free (again, you are not required to do it). - CF - you will be playing the second part of the night, around 6:35. The saxophones will be performing at the beginning. 3. Studio recital (20 Nov.) - MJ is not sure if she is going to be able to play for those that need her for the Sunday, 20 Nov. recital. If she can't, she (and I) will try to find a replacement for you. IF you have somebody you want to use, please feel free to GET THEM NOW. 4. There is a Miraphone M5000 Ambassador compensating euphonium for sale by a former student of mine. Mint condition. Cost $6,500, willing to sell it for $4,500-$5,000. If interested, please let me know. 5. Instrumental Workshop is Friday. Here is the schedule: -CMU Instrumental Workshop November 18, 2011 8:00 Registration - - Music Building Lobby Staples Family Concert Hall-Central Wails 8:30 Presentation for all instruments-“What is Music…really?” Staples Family Concert Hall 9:15 WW, Perc.- Staples Family Concert Hall Keyboard - room 218 Trumpets - room 156 Tuba/Euphonium - room 157 (you do not need your instruments. If you are free, please be here and help conduct a breathing seminar. You will each have 3-5 students to teach breathing to towards the end) Horns - room 217 Trombones - room 155 Violin - room 230 231 (viola), 119 (cello), 173 (basses) Viola - room 231 Cello - room 119 String Bass - room 173 10:30 Brass - Staples Family Concert Hall (T/E studio Not needed. But, come hear the first performance of the faculty brass quintet Keyboard - room 218 Flutes - Chamichian Recital Hall Clarinets - room 157 Oboes - room 230 Saxophones - room 156 Bassoons - room 231 Violins - room 217 Violas - room 236 Cello - room 119 String Basses - room 173 Percussion - room 155 11:45 LUNCH (on your own) Percussion - 156 1:00 Strings – Chamichian Recital Hall Flutes - Moore Kiva Oboes - lobby Clarinets - rooms 230 & 231, bass clarinets - room 218 Saxophones - room 156 Bassoons - lobby Trumpet - Staples Family Concert Hall Horn - room 217 Trombone – room 155 Tuba/Euphonium - room 157 (T/E Studio. Bring your horns to perform Christmas carols with the high school students. CF and I will also be performing at this slot). Percussion – TBA 2:15 Keyboard - Chamichian Recital Hall Strings - room 156 Winds & Percussion - CMU Symphonic Wind Ensemble Performance, Staples Family Concert Hall 3:00 Departure --------- I think that is about it for now. Keep MJ in your thoughts over the next few days. She is extremely frustrated that she can't play right now. If you need me tomorrow, and IT IS IMPORTANT, then give my cell phone a call. Most likely I will be at the hospital all day. That's it for now. Again, thanks for your patience. Dr. Cox PS - CF, don't forget you are also playing for the Honor Band concert on Sunday.

(This is getting reposted for the 2nd time. It seems that the blog has not beens sending out emails. I hope I have this fixed. I did not receive a copy of my own email, like I always do. If you received it last two times, then please just ignore it. Thank you). OK, everyone (originally sent Sunday night). The Cox adventure continues. As some of you heard Friday night at the studio party, my wife called and said she was being taken to the Reed City (look it up on a map) E. R. because she fell and hurt her ankle. Sarah and MJ were at Springfield Camp for the weekend. They had just gotten there a few hours earlier. While at a concert, MJ stepped on a stair and directly onto someone's shoes. When she fell, she said her ankle sounded like a big branch breaking. I arrived at the ER at 10:40 pm. They X-rayed her right ankle and found that she had fractured it in three different spots. After much debate, a second set of X-rays, they decided not to send her via ambulance to Grand Rapids, but let her go home in a temporary cast. I went to the camp and picked up Sarah (1:00 am) and went back to the ER to get MJ. By the time they us out of there, we did not get home until 4:00 am!!! So, to say the least, things have once again drastically changed around our house. For the time being, MJ can't: drive, play piano, cook, teach, etc. So here is what I need from you all (mostly a little patience as we work our way through this next week). 1a. MJ has an orthopedic appointment SOMETIME tomorrow. We do not have a time, yet. We will call first thing in the morning to find out when. Once I know the time, I will need to contact those who have lessons and move them around. Since I missed last week lessons because I was sick, I don't want to postpone tomorrow to another day. Instead, I want to find a time TOMORROW to teach your lesson. This is going to take A LOT of arranging on my part. Tomorrow is also PART 4 Playing/Written exam for Brass Tech!!! I will have my GA (Jeff Crabtree) give the entire exam. That opens a lot of time for me. Again, I will not know when the appointment is until tomorrow in the a. m. 1b. As I get to know the schedule for tomorrow, lessons may either be at their normal times; taught in the early afternoon, or in the late afternoon (depending on YOUR schedule). 1c. Drew and Sammy - would you send me your cell phone number so I can contact you. Dan W., I already have yours. 2. Tomorrow night I will have to cancel the masterclass. MJ can't be left alone for now. She is not great with the crutches and has almost fallen a couple of times. And with the kids around...you can imagine. 3. After the orhto appointment tomorrow morning, we will know a WHOLE LOT more of what MJ can/can't do. We are not sure whether she will have to have surgery or not! So, if you have her as an accompanist for the studio recital on the 20th, and want to find another pianist, that is fine. She totally understands. The ortho might tell her she can't play piano for an extended amount of time. OR, he might let her play after she has a permanent cast on. More by the afternoon. I will send out a message once I know. 4. Tuesday lessons should be fine, as far as I can tell. The trombone ensemble concert is still required, but I won't be able to be there. Again, MJ can't be left alone with the kids. (She can't get up and down well, let alone get up and down the stairs). Again, I am once again asking for you patience over the next few days. More later. Thanks, Dr. Cox

Studio. Though I am not in my office today, we WILL be having the dress rehearsal TONIGHT as planned. Please be in your seat ready to play by 8:00 pm. As to me, my family have all been sick and I have been trying to avoid it at all cost. Unfortunately, last night I started to get a soar throat, which has only gotten worse today (along with other minor symptoms). By staying home today, I am hoping it does not get a hold of me as it did my wife. See you tonight at 8:00 pm. Dr. Cox