February 27, 2005 at 12:26 AM

It's been almost a week since I got back from Vancouver. In some ways it feels like only yesterday, in other ways it seems like forever. Has it really been a week? It never ceases to amaze just how much a person can cram into a week!

Vancouver was really good! The first intended reason of going down there was to see James Ehnes with the Vancouver Symphony play the Walton violin concerto. I had got a ticket to the concert for my birthday last fall from my parents. It also ended up being another "bonding" outing with my violin teacher from where I live, as well as a chance to have another lesson with Jasper Wood.

We drove down on the Saturday, the day of both the lesson and concert. It was one of those "couldn't be more perfect" days. Clear blue sky, not a cloud in sight, just the right tempreture to wear pants and a long sleeved shirt and be comfortable without a coat. It was just gorgeaus! To my great delight the weather was the same in Vancouver! Vancouver: The place of rain and fog and cloud cover, but no, it was clear blue skys and you could see all the mountains and look out towards the ocean at the endless blue. I hope my pictures turn out!

The lesson with Mr. Wood was really awesome. I learned so much. It was probably the most informative violin lesson I've ever had. We covered so many concepts and details. I certaintly will have no way of complaining that I've worked on/mastered everything covered in that lesson, at least not for a long while. But WOW, what a lesson. So much to work on!! Mr. Wood's teaching is very excellent though and he is very motivating, I felt completely comfortable and relaxed (mostly!) this time around.

The concert in the evening was really fun. My teacher who drove down with me for the lesson has known James Ehnes since he was a tiny little kid, so it was very exciting for her to get to hear him play and see him again. It was neat to see Ehnes' reaction when my teacher went and said hi to him, and they spent a couple minutes catching up. The actual concert was really amazing. The Walton concerto really suits James Ehnes' playing and he pulled it off really beautifully and for the most part was well accompanied with the VSO. Such a cool concerto that's not performed often enough, but then when you look at how hard both the orchestral and solo parts are, it's not that suprising that many people want to take a chance at trying it.

I got back later in the day on Monday and got to try catching up on school for tests that I had on Tuesday and Thursday. I think both tests went alright. In my Macbeth essay, I somehow managed to use the dining expereince at a resturant and tie it in with the importance of small role characters in the play. We'll see just how well I actually tied it in on Monday I guess. ... .. .. .. .. I actually enjoyed writing that test for the most part. It's always a challenge to present thoughts well and in a sensible fashion and still get your own ideas across as well.

Tomorrow I have a recital. I'm playing the Souvenir d'Amerique, which should be fun! It's a recital put on by the music school that I teach and study at, so not only do I get to be a student and perform, I get to be a teacher and some of my students are playing! I'm a little nervous as it's the first time they've performed in public and the first time I've had my own students perform in front of other faculty, but it's also very exciting!!

I also managed to get my audition cd recorded this week for summer programs. It's nice to have that done and out of the way! Now I just have to finish up my application forms and get them in the mail.

So all in all a productive week or so! :D

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February 27, 2005 at 12:26 AM

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