Before we dive headlong into the New Year, we would like to catch you up on the news. Here are some of the many events and projects of the last few months.

September 19, 2024 - The Artist and the Astronaut Screening at SUNY Potsdam, NY

Bill Muench and Todd Hobin enjoyed returning to their alma mater. Highlights included: breakfast with the President of the College, visits with old friends, and a spectacular dinner at Max’s with friends and colleagues. For photos and a review check out this link: Potsdam Screening

During their visit, Todd received a personal tour of Dunn Hall by campus maintenance. Dunn (the old Crane School of Music building) was renamed and repurposed when the new Crane School of Music building went up 50 years ago. For those who graduated from the original building, the Dunn Hall demolition signals the end of an era. We’ve asked Todd to write about the experience of traveling through the old building. It triggered treasured memories and thoughts for the future. Look for that article later this month. We will post it here.

September 23, 2024 - Chuck Lorre Visit

A little history. Chuck Lorre, Gary Hodges, Dave Maswick, and Todd played together back in their college days. The name of the band was Christian Gray. No joke. Way before the novel… Anyway, Todd graduated and hit the road with a rock ‘n’ roll revival band, which prompted Chuck to leave college and seek his fortune. He did alright by any measure. Yes, it is that Chuck Lorre. Over the years the two old warriors stayed in touch. Quiet frankly, both of them were peddling too hard to do much in the way of a reunion gig. Oddly enough, on the same weekend that Todd screened his movie, Chuck came to town for a visit.

He wowed a packed house in Hosmer Hall with an interview with President Suzanne Smith. The interview concluded with Chuck handing Suzanne a check for one million dollars! Yikes!! Chuck and Todd enjoyed a happy conversation at the President’s Residence before hopping on a plane back to Hollywood. This is Chuck hanging with Joann.

October 18, 2024 - Founder’s Day with the Band

For the last few years, Todd’s band has been the featured entertainment for the annual Founder’s Day Dinner. This year they were joined by the Le Moyne College Jazzuits under the direction of Carol Jacobe. The band, Todd, Brett, Letizia, and Steve Orlando, Jr., were joined on stage by keyboard wizard, Bill DiCosmo. It was a beautiful event. For the last two years, Kaitlyn Wheeler has been instrumental in making this event a spectacular success.

October 25-26, 2024 - Grail Sitzprobe

For those of you not familiar with the term Sitzprobe, don’t worry, it’s not what you're thinking.

For the last year or so, Todd has been on the writing team for GRAIL. Grail is a Rock Opera. It is the brainchild of Bob Christianson. You should look him up. Along with Bruce Coville, the three have been writing and rewriting the story and songs of a three-hour extravaganza. So, back to “sitzprobe.” In preparation for filming and recording the finished work at Abbey Road in London, they felt that they should do a run-through of the opera. A sing-through. No sets, no acting, just read the score through with a full cast of singers. They rented a theater in CNY.

We are very proud to say that most of the cast came from Central and Upstate New York. And they were magnificent. With Todd conducting and Bob and Bruce listening and commenting, they recorded a remarkable two days of singing. With these recordings, the team was able to tighten up the script, lyrics, and music. Bob is now scoring the orchestrations for the orchestra. We’ll keep you posted as this huge project makes its way across the Atlantic and hopefully back to Broadway.

November 7-10, 2024 - The Artist and the Astronaut tours Oklahoma

The most impressive Air and Space Museum anyone on this team has ever seen sits just outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in Weatherford, OK. General Tom Stafford was at the very center of the astronaut corp. Our team enjoyed the trip immensely. They were accompanied by Jeff Carr (Jerry Carr’s son) and Mitch Rothman (NASA Manned Space). The screening was very well received and there were lots of questions for the panel, including some for the composer, Todd Hobin. To see some of the photos and a quick review visit: Stafford Air & Space

Also in November - The Artist and the Astronaut Elsewhere in the World

Todd’s film also was invited to and nominated for awards in Husavik, Iceland, and Berlin, Germany. This film continues to be the little engine that could. Documentary films are seldom seen in theaters. This one is still making the rounds. It has been released on DVD along with Todd’s Soundtrack Album. Both are available here: DVD & CD Release

November 22, 2024 - Todd & Letizia on TV

Bridge Street is an ABC TV talk show on NewsChannel 9 in Syracuse, NY. Todd and Letizia performed two songs, one on that morning’s show and another recorded for broadcast during Christmas. After a brief interview, they sang Dancing in the Moonlight from the film The Artist and the Astronaut. If you would like to see their performance visit: Todd & Letizia on Bridge Street

November 22, 2024 - DVD Release Party at Shaker Heights

The team spent the day and evening with Pat Musick, the star of the Artist and the Astronaut. After a lecture and screening of the film’s trailer, Bill and Todd enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Musick family. A great way to celebrate the release of the DVD and the Soundtrack album. Here is a cherished photo of Todd speaking with his hero, Pat Musick after the lecture.

December 2-8, 2024 - Le Moyne Concerts and Recitals

The end of the semester is always a busy time for the professor. Todd’s students are remarkable, each in their own right, and are involved with lots of performing organizations on campus. His guitar ensemble is exemplary.

December 14, 2024 - Brett and Todd Rock a Holiday Concert

Sharkey’s Pavillion, don’t worry it’s enclosed, is one of the best venues for live music in the area. Paulie Scire provides a stunning display of sound and lights. The food and drink are awesome. Tables and chairs! Todd and Brett performed an hour and 15 minutes of their tunes. They chose songs from their latest film and soundscore album, classics from their Early Years release, and some of Todd’s Christmas songs, and they even played some songs from their next album.

December 15, 2024 - Lessons and Carols

This was a huge undertaking. Tom Andino produced and conducted an eighty-voice choir and a large orchestra through a moving concert celebrating the Christmas season through bible verses and songs. A capacity crowd at Our Lady of Hope in Syracuse enjoyed a remarkable performance. The concert was recorded for broadcast by a familiar team: Brett Hobin, Andrew Michael, and Sebastian Fredette. Todd was featured on lead guitar.

Well, folks, that’s pretty much it for public events. Todd and Joann are still in the midst of celebrating Christmas with their seven children and spouses, along with 10 grandchildren. We hope that all of you had a joyous holiday season and we hope to see you in the New Year.

Peace and Love.

That’s a Wrap

January Events

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