Bob Raymond

Apr. 25, 2004 at 11:35 AM

But it was fun- I saw some old friends.. worked really hard- got there at 7 to start moving stuff around, post signs, etc, stayed until around 9 to move stuff back to where it was after dinner- it was a really good dinner at least- strip steak, some form of chicken, an excellent salad, and my favorite food of all, rice. No, prunes are not my *favorite* food, just one I happen to like. Unfortunately I can't get my daily allotment as I'm the only person under the age of 85 in the household who likes them, and she generally doesn't buy stuff the other two (my parents) don't like.

My violin is in the shop right now, getting a major adjustment so that it will project- new soundpost, new bridge, neck reset, seams, new end button, and tailpiece. Hopefully it'll work.. that sort of stuff is expensive.

Anyway.. today is a practice day. I get the fun task of breaking in my mother's violin- same maker, great instrument, just not totally come into its own yet.

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Apr. 17, 2004 at 1:27 AM

Apparently the competition I won sent them a press release, so they wanted me to be 'Student of the Week' for next week's edition.. They took my picture and asked plenty of questions. Pretty fun.

I also got official word from Eastman that my acceptance packet will get here tomorrow, so I'm happy- that's 3 out of 4 schools that I got into, so I get to decide tomorrow between Eastman and CIM (i.e. if Eastman gives me more money than CIM I go to Eastman, if it's pretty much equivalent I decide it later after I actually go have a lesson with Linda Cerone). But I really like Charlie Castleman, and he's who I got in with.

Well, I guess it's now time to do either more internet browsing and wasting of time, maybe have some dessert.. or even.. hehehe..

PRACTICE!!!

I'll decide after I click 'Post Entry'

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Apr. 15, 2004 at 2:43 AM

Despite my stuffy nose and blocked ears, I managed to get myself up to an awards ceremony for a competition I won a few weeks ago. I got first, plus the 'overall achievement' award, and this means a partial scholarship to camp plus a check.

I did manage to slightly butcher the Bach e-flat prelude, but no one seemed to notice. It was just a memory slip here and there. I would have played Bartok Concerto, but I was only allowed 5 minutes, and that's just a piece I can't bear to take cuts in.

Anyway, Bach prelude is done for a while, so I can work more on the sarabande from the same suite, and devote some more time to the Brahms e-flat sonata (Isn't e-flat major such a wonderful key!!)

I also tried out a really great viola bow.. but what with college on the horizon, I doubt I will be affording that any time soon. Oh well, something to dream about.

Violin front: Not much happening there.. More of Scottish Fantasy.. I love that piece! Such glorious melodies.. and so much passion and fire. I'm glad my teacher chose that one for me.

Well, enough for now- this has to be my longest blog entry of the three.. We'll see if it really is when I click that little button down there- (disregard the fact that those arrows will not look right :D)
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Apr. 13, 2004 at 6:41 PM

Why does it take Eastman so long to decide on me? Charlie Castleman already told me I was in with him a month ago!!

Oh well. At least I can still practice.

I finally got the Bach e-flat Prelude memorized for tomorrow, and all my other stuff is starting to sound good too. My violin even is really sounding big again!

Now back to wasting time in other ways...

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Apr. 12, 2004 at 7:31 PM

I did a decent amount of practicing today.. I need to rebreak my strings in after I partially destrung- my end button was coming out, rendering my violin totally dead and useless, so I have it most of the way back in again.

Bye everybody!
and check out my website!

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