Opening Packages

May 19, 2011 at 6:15 PM

Spring was late to arrive again this year, but I've had no problem keeping busy while I wait, preparing my largest studio ever for our upcoming end-of-the-year recital. Of course, I always have my share of neat little discoveries along the way...

In an attempt to surprise myself with something completely different this semester, I ordered a Corelli two-violin sonata from an internet website without having heard it or looked at the music. But, I figured if you'd heard one Corelli, you'd heard them all, and I was pretty sure the difficulty level would be something Juliet could handle for her first ensemble experience. I was doubly excited when the music arrived with a bonus cello part, so I contacted Mary, an adult cello student, and asked if she'd like to join us. With some difficulty, we worked out a rehearsal schedule around Easter, Mother's Day, soccer tournaments, my birthday, and two job schedules. Needless to say, we didn't get much rehearsal time. On Sunday afternoons, the cellist, two violin students, and I crowded around my piano in the studio, with me trying to follow each of their parts in the score as they each wandered along on independent paths. Sometimes we made it to the finish line together. Most times, though, something would unravel while I was focused on reading the piano part, and then I'd have to try and figure out what happened. As we tackled each movement, I could see that I'd bitten off more than I could chew, especially since I've never led an ensemble before. We have one more rehearsal this evening, and then, well, we'll just see about that recital... If nothing else, I think everyone is having fun with it--and the upstairs neighbor says it's quite pleasant. Yes, opening up a Corelli sonata has turned out to be a surprising experience, with his fugue-ish counterpoint and crazy-archaic chord progressions.

As I watch alder buds finally unfolding on my daily walks with Ben, I'm reminded of the way I've gotten to watch my students open up over the years. I'm not sure when the transformation happened, but when I play duets with my high school students, I begin to feel like I'm no longer relating teacher-student, but as colleagues. Even though I've given them all similar instruction, each one has turned out so completely different, and I love to see what their individuality contributes to their musical expression. I'm so glad that they are getting to that hard-earned, well-deserved point that they can more fully express their thoughts on the violin. When we play, I have so much fun I wonder if it's cheating. This is a job, and I should be working, shouldn't I? Oh right, this is what playing the violin is all about!

Time flies. Another birthday came and went, and I received heartfelt cards and gifts in the mail from loved ones afar. My little nephews in Oklahoma contributed some of their own artwork, which I now display on my refrigerator with pride. Their blue crayon and red marker lines remind me of their faces, and I miss them.

You never know how people and places will touch you even across great spans of space and time. Why, just yesterday, I arrived home to find this curious package from Italy waiting for me. I could hardly wait to see what was inside...

From Laurie Niles
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:09 PM

I can't see how big that package is, or what it says...is it your case?

From Tammy Kirwan
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Soooooo..........what's in the box???????

From Emily Grossman
Posted on May 19, 2011 at 8:34 PM

(I went back and inserted a hint for you.)

From Tom Holzman
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 12:55 AM

If it's from Italy, it must be your case. Enjoy it, and Happy B'day. You can consider it a present from all your fans on v.com who contributed to it.

From Mendy Smith
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:25 AM

Open the box and post pics!!! Don't keep us in suspense!

From Lothar Krepke
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:55 AM

Hmmm,

Could it possibly be the case...?

I've barely prepped Theodore. (Or should that be "bearly?")

In the hope that it is, I wish you joy on using it.

All the best,

Lothar

From Roland Garrison
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 1:58 AM

Did it say 'Fragile' on the outside? I need another hint!

From Lothar Krepke
Posted on May 20, 2011 at 7:56 PM

Hello again,

But Roland, if the package was labeled "Fragile" that would tell me that it could not possibly contain a Musafia case...

All the best,

Lothar

From Andre A
Posted on May 21, 2011 at 8:30 PM

I wish some one can rectify the 'read more' link. It also happened on the previous blog of Emily. Wakey wakey. It baffled me and I may not be the only one.

From Lothar Krepke
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 12:13 AM

Hello Andre,

If you just click on the blog title, it will open up, but...

What, would you suppose, is in that package? Why have we not been told?

Emily... Emily... We (or at least, I,) can wait no longer... Tell us more.

All the best,

Lothar

From Andre A
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Lothar look under Other Blogs you will find the answers there.

From Emily Grossman
Posted on May 22, 2011 at 2:52 AM

I think it's my fault the link gets messed up because I go back and edit my blog after Laurie puts in the blog feed. That's happened twice now after I've gone back and edited a type-o.

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Opening Packages

Laurie's Books

Subscribe