pennsicdance: new to the pit

[Arhylda at aol.com]

As one of the newer (newest?) players in the pit band, I have a few 
suggestions of things that would help access those musicians who haven't 
played in the pit before (people like me). I'm probably your lowest common 
denominator at this point, so here goes: 

-some kind of web page where the Pile can be accessed, or easier access to it 
in advance of the war (my sight reading is ok, but not at some of the speeds 
being used in the barn! - and that would be something to add to the music, 
Tibicen - suggested speeds)

-a published schedule of what events musicians will be needed/welcome for (I 
was confused, especially early in the week, about whether I should come to 
the barn, or whether I would be welcome to play at the dances in the tent, 
etc.). I know I saw something somewhere about specific levels of players 
being needed for different events - see suggestion below!

-a notice in the Pre-Pennsic Publication advertising for musicians to come 
and join in, including how to get a copy of the Pile before the war. Having 
produced the PPP twice myself, I know that these notices usually have to be 
submitted sometime in January - I know the person doing the PPP this year and 
would be happy to provide her contact info to the appropriate person.

-one short meeting or hour-long read through for people who are new to 
playing in the pit, with some suggestions about how the Pennsic pit works and 
suggestions for being more comfortable playing there. Not an every day thing, 
but something early in the week (middle Saturday? Sunday afternoon?) just to 
get new people to meet the more experienced folks and get acclimated to the 
environment

For the record, I was very intimidated about just showing up to join in the 
playing with not a lot of information to go on. Maybe it just seems that 
those who play in the pit, play, and you all know the ins and outs of it. A 
welcoming kind of call to play would help folks like me out there. In my case 
this year, it took Alaric offering to drag, I mean ~escort~ me up to the barn 
to get me started.

Of course, once I got there, the welcome I was given made me want to come 
back! I'm only sorry that other commitments made it impossible for me to come 
back after the masked ball. But that also had something to do with not being 
sure of what/how/why I might be needed for the rest of the week.

Looking forward to playing again next year,
Mairi