April 30, 2006 at 4:53 PM
Last night was the first time that I have attended a symphony concert (and not been playing) since August of last year. Gosh it's been awhile. The orchestra had some tough acts to follow too....the last three orchestras that I heard were the Orchestre Symphonique du Quebec, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Orchestre de la Francophonie du Canada. So going from world class recording and touring orchestras back to the one that I spent the last two years playing in was a bit of a jump! It was nice though! This year the symphony has been undergoing a change in music director, I don't agree with the board of director's decision to basicly let the audience pick by having them fill out these pink voting sheets that include questions like "how does the conductor connect with the musicians?" Really, does the average concert attendee know what is good and bad about a conductor aside from if his tux is clean or not? *shakes head* anyways...to move on. I enjoyed the concert very much. The orchestra was more cohesive than I last remembered it being, there weren't as many intonation errors (although there were some) and our wonderful principal trumpet player, Audrey Tannant graced the stage in a gorgeaus performance of the Haydn Trumpet concerto. Bravo Audrey! Not to mention he looked equisite in a strapless gown, the most elegant color of pink that matched her complexion perfectly! When all was said and done I can say that I really miss orchestral playing and look forward to school being over and being able to once again hit the road, rehearse late and drive long hours all for the joys that come from the performing and the people you work with.Today it is a beautiful sunny day, though a bit windy oudoors. The weather is perfect though, for an outdoor Spring Fair that the music school I work at is putting on. This is the second such fair, we had one last year but I was unable to attend and help out. This year I'm going to be there though! I'm helping set up sound equipment and tuning violins before the event begins at 11 (which means I need to leave soon...)and then there's a faculty and student picture being taken at 2 and then the majority of my students are performing at 4:30 near the close of the event. There's food, a garage sale (that has some very neat things!), games and even a treasure hunt for the kids and then of course, live music throughout most of the day! The wind is the only thing that concerns me because it has that cunning ability to pick music up and make it move. I'll have to go and dig around and find some close pins to hold the music down. I'll try and take some pictures and post them later!
In other news: I can't wait to go down to Vancouver on Tuesday and try out some more instruments!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your day everyone!
I'm looking forward to hearing about your instrument shopping. Maybe I shouldn't, though. I've been thinking about a new bow.
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