March 2007
March 26, 2007 20:35
The Kansas City Symphony has an awesome 2007-2008 season. There are four violin soloists including Indy Competition winner Augustin Hadelich and Joshua Bell! I got my subscription today (with my own money, obviously). I cannot wait! The Paganini, Tchaikovsky, and Dvorak concerti along with Bell's program of Corigliano, Chausson, and Saint-Saëns...
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March 20, 2007 20:41
'Twas a routine Spring Break day... until the mail came.
On February 7th at 10:00 pm, I recorded the first movement of the Bruch for a camp audition. The next day, I stayed home from school to fill out the application and wait for my teacher to send her letter of recommendation. When all the required materials were compiled, my mom and I went and Fed-Exed the tape, application, and recommendation letter to the Kansas Arts Commission because the deadline was the 9th! I had nothing to lose. It didn't cost anything to send the tape, but the odds were against me. Only one person from each state would be chosen, except in Kansas. In Kansas, there were six people chosen because that's where the orchestra's 2007 residency was.
Today, much to my surprise, the letter came. I didn't think I would make it because college students could also audition and someone who listened to tapes said that several great wind players auditioned. I unfolded the paper, and, with a deep breath, read the words: Dear Sydney, Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees' Summer Music Institute!
I can't believe it! I'll be in Washington D.C. for a month and I'll get to perform in the Kennedy Center! However, my favorite line was this one: The fellowship will provide you the following benefits on the full scholarship during the Kennedy Center/NSO Summer Music Institute: lessons with NSO musicians, master classes, seminars, chamber orchestra, housing, plane tickets, and meals.
I'M SO EXCITED!
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March 19, 2007 16:29
It's Spring Break for me now and it would appear that I have sold my soul to an online Health course (required to graduate) and Spring Break reading. Apparently high school cannot tolerate a week long break. I found the health course somewhat amusing, though. For example, this scenario:
When Mark arrives at the basketball court, his friend Phillipe throws the ball at him, shouting, "You're half an hour late!"
"Well, excuse me, Mr. Punctual," Mark laughs.
"You're never on time. It's like you assume I have nothing better to do than to wait around for you," Phillipe says.
"Sorry, bud, but some things came up," Mark answers.
"Yeah? Well, I'm outta here." Phillipe thows up his hand and walks away.
"Wait, let me explain," Mark says calmly.
Phillipe hesitiates, wondering how to respond.
Then I must brainstorm and decide the best possible response for Phillipe. It's a soap opera... On paper.
Violin has been alright. I'm a little disappointed because of some competition outcomes, but it's not a big deal. The region's solo/ensemble contest is coming up in the beginning of April. My quartet is playing Shostakovich's 8th String Quartet, but I have no idea what I'll play for a solo! All the stuff I'm working on is hard and I don't want to play something hard for the contest because, to put it mildly, the people there are far from becoming virtuosi. I think I'll play the third movement of Bach's A minor concerto.
So, that's what I've been up to! Exciting, eh? I had better get back to "building health skills" ;-)
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More entries: April 2007 • February 2007
