September 12, 2005 at 1:28 AM

Back to the grind! It's hard to believe it's already nearing the middle of September. Where is time going? In a week I have my major solo recital. I'm super excited and it lookds like I finally have my program finalised! Barber, Bach, Beethoven, Vaughn-Williams, Vitali and some Gershwin to add some variety and excitement to the mix. It's a program I'm really excited about playing. I haven't performed the works on it much before with the exception of the Vitali Ciaccona. It's a program that really reflects a lot of my tastes in classical music and shows many different moods and styles from the refined tradiontal classical-ness of the Beethoven to the more jazzy Gershwin to the intensity of something like the Barber and the delicate and intricacies of the Vaughn-Williams. I'm really hoping that a lot of people will come. So far it sounds like several of my students, friends and family are going to show up so hopefully in conjuction with that and other advertising I'll have a decent sized audience!

I am really enjoying practicing these days. Since Domaine there is a whole new level of focus in how I practice that I really like. I can get so much done in such a short space of time. Today I have done a lot of good work so far in my spare time and hope to get some more good practice time in tonight. I was kind of worried about how much I could practice with teaching and being back at school but it all seems to be working out well so far, mind you I am only 1 week in.

Being back at teaching is very exciting! I have a lot of new students this year which is keeping me on my toes. I'm teaching adults this year too which is something new for me. I was a little anxious as to what it would be like but I am really enjoying the experience and opportunity of teaching such a wide range of people and levels. I hope I live up to my students expectations this year and can have another successful year and that everyone has fun. I'm looking forward to seeing some of my students perform for the first time this year and seeing how everyone developes. It's already been a great experience to see how students from last year have improved over the summer and to see the difference in their personalities and their ability to concentrate. Should be a terrific year!

School is proving to be entertaining. My English Lit teacher I have decided, with support from fellow classmates, is insane. He's completely off the wall, very inspired and motivating! There are some things that I'm not so excited about in school this year but on a whole it looks like I'm going to have some great teachers and good classes. It's amazing what the difference a teacher can make in ploughing through textbooks and working out things.

I'm hoping to somewhere in my schedule of lessons, teaching, school and what not to find some time to compose this year. I am trying to finish off an orchestral composition and I would like to seriously try doing a string quartet or piano trio work this year. If only there were more hours in the day! It's scaring me already that we are nearly to the middle of September.

Well back to practicing!

From Scott 68
Posted on September 12, 2005 at 5:39 PM

hey kels - you never answered the question, what do you do when your student is hyper and screaming and jumping up and down. I could use some ideas please - help !

From Emily Grossman
Posted on September 12, 2005 at 9:56 PM

Ha! Here are two options.

1. Pose an ultimatum: stop doing that or go home.

2. Join him.

From Kelsey Z.
Posted on September 13, 2005 at 1:45 AM

Option no.2 is tempting. Unfortunately the ceiling in my studio is rather low and I would end up hitting my head on the ceiling.

In order to calm a student I find being calm myself and keeping them entertained in the task at hand is the best way to keep them under control.

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