November 2005

November 22, 2005 08:16

Today is my last day to work this week. Hurrah! Maybe I will be able to get some quality practice time in during this holiday break. I hosted a wedding shower on Sunday and have lots of family coming to my house for Thanksgiving, so I've been super busy with non musical things. I also haven't been able to find time to make it to the gym - how grim! It seems like I am always on a forced march this time of the year and don't get to do the things that I love. Not that I don't love my family, but it takes much wine to get through Thanksgiving day with all of them in my home.

At church orchestra practice this past week we received two pieces for a string quartet. My first ensemble experience! They are just easy Christmas carols, but I really do want to play chamber music, so this is a start. I will be the second violinist - the first is a professional, so I'm hoping his vibrato will cover any intonation problems I may have.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who frequent violinist.com.

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November 14, 2005 11:15

The performances of King David Oratorio were off the WOW meter. Alan Menken was impressed and hung around to toast the group, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Our symphony director has mucho experience and he indicated to a friend that this was the best production he had ever been a part of. Although my old gal body is still complaining from 17 hours of playing time in the last 5 days, it was a remarkable experience. I feel like a real musician!

Church orchestra Christmas music is next on my practice schedule. The orchestra does an entire service with narration each December so I have 9 pieces to work on. The choir does a separate musical and we also will accompany them.

Need to get back to my day job. TTFN

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New blogger

November 8, 2005 08:31

After a year of reading violin blogs, I've decided to jump in with my own. I guess I feel as though I have something exciting to share finally. As an adult beginner, it was somewhat intimidating to read about the hours of practice and performances posted by many of you. That being said, however, you have all been my inspiration to practice harder and expand my playing opportunities.

I have played in an excellent church orchestra for 3 years now and that alone has been a tremendous experience. They allowed me to join as a true beginner (finger tapes and all) and let me work through those frustrating experiences of trying to play in tune. I had a strong music background, so intonation has been my biggest hurdle. Encouragement from fellow orchestra members gave me confidance and the drive to practice harder.

This past summer I auditioned for our local community orchestra, the Southern Crescent Symphony Orchestra, and was amazed to be accepted. We began rehearsals in September for our first performace of the year which is a collaborative effort with a local private school. The school is using the event to raise money for their Fine Arts department.

This is the exciting part. The people that put this all together somehow got the rights to perform King David Oratorio. It was written to celebrate the 3,000th anniversary of Jerusalem by two of the best in musical theatre - Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, etc.) and Tim Rice (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Spurstar, Evita, Lion King, Aida, etc.). The war in Israel prevented the production's performance abroad, but the work was performed one time in NYC at the re-opening of the New Amsterdam Theatre. We are using the original music from that production, complete with bow markings,many cuts and scribbled notes. It is very challenging to read and very long - over 2 hours. Professional soloists from New York, Chicago and Atlanta are singing with the talented high school chorus, school alumni, staff and board members.

How can a private school and community orchestra possibly pull off something of this callibre? Beats me, but it is phenomenal! Our performances are this Friday and Saturday. Alan Menken has indicated that he will jet in from LA for Saturday night's concert and will "stay to drink champagne" with us. How cool is that - I guess some one better get busy and buy champagne!?! Needless to say, this has been quite an experience for me and now I can say I am an official blogger to boot.

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More entries: December 2005 •

November 2005

November 22, 2005 08:16

November 14, 2005 11:15

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