Jimmy--

I know what you're talking about re: convincing people it's important to rehearse. As I said earlier, I had a sea chantey group, of 7 people. One year I couldn't convince them to rehearse even once, for our only gig. But it turned out it didn't make any difference--the gig went fine anyway--somewhat undercut my argument.   But sea chanteys are definitely a genre where you can leave some rough edges on.

Then over the weekend I saw a skiffle band of 12 people who also had never once rehearsed some of the songs they did (as a group). But again we (the crowd) just thought it added to their ramshackle charm. And I know they had done some of the songs before--just not that exact group.

On the other hand, man o man have we had a lot of Mahler rehearsals--last one tonight--then 3 performances (Mahler's 8th).