yay, alice!! another opera singin' mudcatter! (i don't think i've ever met anyone who did both before..nice to know i'm not alone with that!) as far as reasons for coming here, i keep returning for all the incredible stories and information that everyone so freely gives, and maybe to find something that i could give back on. i haven't yet gotten a chance to really reciprocate a favour, but i certainly will if i get a chance (with my rather limited music knowledge)! i must admit that i tend to just be a lurker in these pages, though, because generally any thoughts i have on a subject are already expressed by the time i get on a thread. but wow, you folks are just completely great--thanks for all the help, both directly and in-, because i've gotten so much out of threads that i didn't even have any connection to.erica walz, scotia, ny, usa